Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, has appeared in a video advertisement endorsing United Russia, the political party led by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ad surfaced this week, days before the Capitals open training camp on Thursday.
The video shows Ovechkin standing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Viacheslav Fetisov, a retired Detroit Red Wings defenseman. The group expressed support for Putin’s party. The Capitals confirmed Ovechkin’s participation in the spot.
Capitals Downplay Political Activity as Season Nears
Team spokesman Sergey Kocharov said Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow during the offseason and will continue to live there after his playing career ends. According to Kocharov, Ovechkin was asked by his country to take part in the video campaign. Kocharov added that Ovechkin’s focus and the team’s focus remain on the upcoming season, and that the political work will not affect the NHL schedule. He also noted that Ovechkin is the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C.
The Capitals open training camp Thursday and begin the regular season on Oct. 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
A Longstanding Relationship with Putin
Ovechkin’s connection to Putin is not new. In 2017, he launched a social movement called “Putin Team,” publicly aligning himself with the Russian president. Putin has led Russia as president or prime minister since 2000. Ovechkin, born in Russia, began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Super League before being drafted into the NHL.
The latest ad places Ovechkin in a political context that extends beyond sport, at a time when Russia remains internationally isolated following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Hašek Renews Criticism
Dominik Hašek, a Hall of Fame goaltender who played 16 NHL seasons, nine of them with the Buffalo Sabres, posted criticism on X this week. Hašek, a native of Pardubice, Czech Republic, has been outspoken against the Putin regime and its supporters. He described Russia’s invasion as an imperialist war in Ukraine and said that because of each of them, many Ukrainians and Russians will be killed. In his post, Hašek circled Ovechkin’s face in a of campaign supporters.
The war has produced staggering casualties. More than 250,000 Russian soldiers are estimated to have been killed, along with up to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers and nearly 14,000 Ukrainian civilians.
On-Ice Achievements Remain Central
Despite the political controversy, Ovechkin’s hockey legacy is secure. He has scored 929 goals in 21 NHL seasons, all with the Capitals. On April 6, 2025, he overtook Wayne Gretzky to become the league’s all-time goal leader. Ovechkin won the Stanley Cup in 2018 and took home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP that same year. He is also a three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP.
Ovechkin turns 41 this week. As the Capitals prepare for the season, the ad has thrust his political ties back into the spotlight, ensuring that the conversation around him extends well beyond the ice.
