09/17/26 11:59:00
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09/17 11:57 CDT NHL star Alex Ovechkin says he's 'for peace and love' after
appearing in ad for Putin-aligned party
NHL star Alex Ovechkin says he's 'for peace and love' after appearing in ad for
Putin-aligned party
By NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) --- Alex Ovechkin says he's "for peace and love" after the
Russian hockey star appeared in an ad for a party aligned with Vladimir Putin
during the offseason.
The video for the United Russia party came to light this week, days before
Ovechkin's Washington Capitals held their annual media day Thursday. The NHL's
career goal-scoring leader is back with the Capitals for a 22nd season.
Ovechkin is seen in the commercial standing behind Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov. Longtime Soviet hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov also participated.
"I'm Russian, and I support my country," Ovechkin said Thursday. "I'm for peace
and love, and I hope in the world it doesn't matter who you are, I hope
everybody understands everybody wants peace, and everybody hope everything's
going to be OK in the world."
Ovechkin said he did not hesitate to participate in the ad.
"They asked me to do that. I say yes," he said. "So it's as simple as that."
Ovechkin previously voiced support for the Russian president in 2017 when he
started a social movement called the "Putin Team." At the time, he told
reporters from the AP and The Washington Post, "I just support my country."
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin said, "Please, no more
war," when asked about the situation. Asked then about his relationship with
Putin, Ovechkin said: "He's my president, but I'm not in politics. I'm an
athlete."
Russia's parliamentary election this week features United Russia, plus nine
others that all support Putin's policies. The only party that opposed the war
in Ukraine has been barred from the ballot.
Ovechkin, who turned 41 on Thursday, confirmed he plans to live in Russia when
he retires from the NHL.
"I'm going to stay there. I'm going to live there, my kids are going to live
there, family. So I'm for peace and love, and I hope everything's going to be
OK," Ovechkin said. "My home is Russia. DC is my second home. I have lots of
friends. I grew up here as a person and I love DC. This is my second home. So I
hope everything's going to be OK, and how I said --- peace and love for
everybody."
There was speculation last season would be Ovechkin's last, but he chose to
stay with the Capitals for at least another year --- and he remains noncommital
about what the future might hold after 2026-27.
"I'm focusing right now on training camp," Ovechkin said. "I have to make the
team."
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