Alex Ovechkin and Vladimir Putin go way back. Russia's president has long politicized the NHL star as an icon for pro-Kremlin patriotism, and Ovechkin repays the support in kind by excelling on the ice in the country's national pastime, especially on the international stage.
Capitals' Alex Ovechkin starts 'Putin Team' social movement to back Kremlin leader
Alex Ovechkin and Vladimir Putin go way back. Russia's president has long politicized the NHL star as an icon for pro-Kremlin patriotism, and Ovechkin repays the support in kind by excelling on the ice in the country's national pastime, especially on the international stage.
In a strong endorsement for Putin, the Capitals captain penned an Instagram post Thursday intended to start a social movement in the name of a strong and united Russia as the country readies for a presidential election in 2018.
The Washington Post translated the text from Russian to English.
“Personal achievements and medals — all of this great, but in hockey, like with everything, to win it’s important to have a team. Only a team is capable of changing the course of a game, achieving the impossible. Lately, in the Western Press, I'm noticing a comparison to Putin's team. And you know, I really liked that comparison. Personally, I'm ready to be a member of that team.
I never hid my relationship with our president, always openly supported him. I'm certain that there are many of us that support Vladimir Putin. Let's unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia. Today, I want to announce a social movement in the name of Putin Team. Be a part of this team – to me it's a privilege, it's like the feeling of when you put on the jersey of the Russian team, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you.”
Ovechkin's message comes at a time of heightened tension between his homeland and the United States over the Kremlin's alleged tampering in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. Russia's own presidential election takes place in March, and while Putin hasn't formally announced his intention to run for re-election, he's expected to seek a second six-year term and retain his office.
There's a long history of mutual support between Putin and Ovechkin.
It's not uncommon for the president to make public appearances with Ovechkin, who lives in Moscow during the NHL offseason. Ovechkin once claimed to have Putin's private home phone number. When Ovechkin married his longtime girlfriend in July, Putin called to congratulate the couple. Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin joked in August he wouldn't defy the NHL's decision to ban players from the 2018 Winter Olympics because I am not Ovechkin. Putin doesn't call me.
Evgeni Malkin, talking about the possibility of Olympic participation: I am not Ovechkin. Putin doesn't call me. #Caps #Pens
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) August 16, 2017
Putin has made a point to stage Russia's national hockey program as a vehicle for political gain, expressing a desire to return the sport to its Soviet Union days when the country was a perennial powerhouse in international competition.
February's Games in Pyeongchang will mark the first time in Ovechkin's 13-year NHL career he won't represent Russia at the Olympics. When the NHL said it wouldn't allow players to participate, he vowed to fight the decision before eventually conceding a day before Capitals training camp.