In brief
Vladimir Putin's congratulatory message to NHL star Alex Ovechkin for his record-setting goal brings renewed attention to Ovechkin's past support for the Russian leader amid ongoing Ukraine tensions.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia congratulated hockey star Alex Ovechkin on Monday for his remarkable achievement of breaking the National Hockey League's (N.H.L.) goal-scoring record. Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal on Sunday against the New York Islanders, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's long-standing record of 894 goals.In a statement from the Kremlin, Putin hailed Ovechkin's accomplishment as a "momentous achievement" and described it as "a genuine cause for celebration for fans in Russia and beyond." This event has shed light on Ovechkin's historical support for Putin and his ambiguous stance regarding the war in Ukraine.Although Ovechkin has been a key player for the Washington Capitals since 2005 and has lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, his public image remains intertwined with Russia. His Instagram profile photo features him alongside Putin, and in 2017 he initiated a social media movement branded #PutinTeam, prior to Russia’s elections. Ovechkin attracted criticism in 2022 when he did not outright condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, instead stating, “Please, no more war.” When asked about his feelings towards Putin, he replied, “He’s my president,” but clarified, “I am not in politics. I’m an athlete.”Following his record-breaking goal, Ovechkin expressed gratitude for his fellow players and exclaimed, “Russia, we did it!” On Russian state television, he was celebrated as “our pride, a Russian hockey player who made history,” which garnered admiration from audiences both in Russia and abroad.Supporters of Putin quickly highlighted Ovechkin's achievements. Sergei Markov, a political scientist endorsed by the Kremlin, noted on social media, “Ovechkin has shown many times he is not afraid and not ashamed of being Russian, even when Russians have been bullied for being Russian,” expressing gratitude towards Ovechkin for his public stature and respect.Despite his accomplishments, Ovechkin has not played for Russia in international competitions since 2019, a decision influenced by the International Ice Hockey Federation's ban on the Russian national team following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has stirred debate within international sports, pressuring Russian athletes to address the war and their political affiliations.
