Ice hockey icon Alex Ovechkin is facing calls to be banned from the NHL after starring in a campaign advert for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party
An ice hockey legend is facing calls to be kicked out of the NHL after starring in a propaganda advert backing Vladimir Putin’s ruling political party.
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who made history last year after smashing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record, has sparked outrage over his appearance in a campaign for the dictator’s United Russia party.
Moscow-born Ovechkin was pictured front and centre in Russian business paper Vedomosti alongside key pro-Putin figures, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and state TV boss Margarita Simonyan. Furious hockey fans and prominent commentators are now demanding the 40-year-old icon be booted out of the league for lending his star power to the Kremlin.
Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts took to social media to blast the veteran winger, posting on X: “Alexander Ovechkin should not be allowed back into the USA, much less the @NHL. I hope the @Capitals do the right thing and immediately release him from their team.”
Canadian journalist Marcus Kolga echoed the anger, arguing Western authorities need to step in with travel restrictions.
“Canada should place a visa ban on Alex Ovechkin,” Kolga said. “By appearing in a United Russia election ad alongside Lavrov, Simonyan etc., he is lending his celebrity to Putin’s repressive political machine + whitewashing Russia’s criminal war against Ukraine. This crosses all red lines.”
Other outraged fans accused the Stanley Cup winner of ignoring ongoing atrocities, with one writing: “Ovechkin needs to finally be banned from the NHL. He is an active supporter of the genocide Russia is committing in Ukraine.”
The Washington Capitals also found themselves in the firing line after posting a picture of teammate Tom Wilson smiling at Ovechkin with the caption: “how we’re all looking at the big man today.”
Ovechkin has never hidden his admiration for Putin, even launching the “Putin Team” movement in 2017 to boost the tyrant’s presidential re-election run.
At the time, the winger said: “I just support my country,” before adding, “It’s not about political stuff.”
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin attempted to distance himself from conflict while remaining loyal to the Kremlin chief.
He said: “I hope it’s going to end soon and there’s going to be peace in both countries. Obviously, it’s a hard situation.
“I have lots of friends in Russia and Ukraine, and it’s hard to see the war. I hope soon it’s going to be over and there’s going to be peace in the whole world.”
Defending his ties to the dictator, he added: “He’s my president. But like I said, I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete. I hope everything is going to be done soon. It’s a hard situation right now for both sides.”
The Russian star was drafted first overall by Washington in 2004, serving as team captain since 2010 and lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Ovechkin is one of 48 Russian players currently active in the NHL, which features no Ukrainian players.