Alex Ovechkin is not backing down. The Washington Capitals superstar, who is gearing up for what could be a historic 2026-27 season, has made it crystal clear that he has no regrets about appearing in a promotional video for United Russia, the political party backing Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ovechkin addressed the controversy head-on, dismissing any notion that he might apologize. “The thing about video: I’m Russian,” he said. “As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably going to stay there. I’m going to live there. My kids are going to be there, family. So I’m full of peace and love, and I hope everything’s going to be OK.”
The future Hall of Famer has long been open about his affinity for his homeland, spending each offseason in Russia and planning to move back permanently once his NHL career ends. But his latest public show of support for Putin has reignited criticism, especially in the wake of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Among those voicing disapproval is Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia. “Ovechkin did not have to do this,” McFaul wrote on X. “He chose to do it. (I used to be a fan.)”
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) went a step further, sending a letter to the NHL expressing “serious concern” over Ovechkin’s appearance in what he called a “political campaign advertisement for United Russia, the dictatorial political party of Russian war criminal Vladimir Putin.”
Ovechkin, who signed a one-year deal to return to the Capitals, remains focused on the ice. “I’m focusing right now on the training camp,” he said. “But I have to make the team.”
The 40-year-old is coming off a record-breaking campaign in which he surpassed Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, netting his 895th career goal on April 6, 2025. That milestone cemented his legacy as one of the greatest scorers in hockey history.
His latest political stance adds another layer to his complicated legacy, drawing sharp lines between his on-ice greatness and his off-ice allegiances. The decision to stand by Putin has also sparked broader debates about Russia's place in international sports, a topic that continues to divide athletes and fans alike.
While some have called for consequences, Ovechkin remains unapologetic. For him, this isn't a political statement—it's about identity. “I’m Russian,” he reiterated. And that, he insists, is all there is to it.
The 2026-27 NHL season kicks off on Tuesday, September 29, with Ovechkin and the Capitals set to begin their chase for another Stanley Cup.
