NHL Star Faces Calls for Ban After Appearing in Putin-Backed Campaign
NHL star Alex Ovechkin faces backlash after appearing in a pro-Putin ad, sparking calls for his ban from the league.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin, 40, has drawn widespread criticism after appearing in a promotional campaign supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading to calls for him to be banned from the league.
The ad, which featured Ovechkin alongside other pro-Putin figures, was first reported by The Guardian and appeared in the Russian business newspaper Vedomosti. Fans and critics alike have expressed outrage over his involvement, particularly given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Ovechkin, a native of Moscow and long-time supporter of Putin, has faced intense scrutiny on social media. Former astronaut Terry Virts called for the Washington Capitals to release him, while Canadian journalist Marcus Kolga accused him of helping to whitewash Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Other users criticized the NHL and the Capitals for not taking stronger action against the player.
Throughout his career, Ovechkin has maintained a close relationship with Putin, launching the “Putin Team” movement in 2017 to support the president’s re-election. When asked about the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he expressed hope for peace but did not condemn the war. He recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Capitals, where he has played since 2004 and served as captain since 2010, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
