Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Washington Capitals team captain Alex Ovechkin on becoming the top goal scorer in NHL history over the weekend, wishing one of the most famous Russian hockey players “health, good luck (and) a fighting spirit to conquer new heights in life and sports.”
“This achievement has become not only your personal success, but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad,” Putin said in a statement the Kremlin released Monday.
Ovechkin, who hails from Moscow, scored his 895th career goal during the Capitals’ game Sunday against the New York Islanders, breaking the NHL’s record, previously held by Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who retired in 1999.
Ovechkin discussed in 2017 his friendly relationship with Putin.
“He respects me as an athlete, and he respects all the athletes who represent the country,” Ovechkin said at the time, referring to the Russian leader. “It doesn’t matter where you play, in Russia or outside Russia. If you represent country in Olympic Games, world championship or it doesn’t matter which tournament, he always [has a] good relationship with us.”
He also has been an outspoken critic of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“Please, no more war. It doesn’t matter who is in the war — Russia, Ukraine, different countries — we have to live in peace,” he told reporters after a 2022 practice shortly after Moscow initiated its full-scale invasion of its neighbor. “I hope it’s going to end soon and there’s going to be peace in both countries.”
Tags Alex Ovechkin Canada Kremlin Moscow russia ukraine Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin Wayne Gretzky
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
