Olympic Games: Alex Ovechkin wants the Russians to return

It’s a frustrating situation indeed for the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, who has never made a secret of his pride in being Russian and would like to have more opportunities to defend his country’s colors before retiring.

In fact, while there were many signs that next season could be Ovy’s last, the player himself denied the rumours.

However, even if he does decide to continue his career, be it in the NHL or KHL, there may not yet be tons of seasons left to give for the 39-year-old.

As the Russians won’t be at the Olympic Games this winter, it’s quite possible that we won’t see Ovechkin playing Olympic hockey again until he retires.

That may leave him with the World Championships if Russia’s ban ends by then.

It’s all the more frustrating for Ovechkin because, at the moment, the Russians have a very strong team on paper that could claim top honors.

We know that some Russian athletes have been able to take part in international competitions under a neutral banner, notably at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

But these are mostly, if not exclusively, exceptions in individual sports.

Let’s just say it’s more complicated to have 20 Russian field hockey players play under a neutral banner and really give an impression of neutrality.

What’s more, the invited athletes must not have shown their support for the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

And that could be a problem for Ovechkin, who is close to Vladimir Putin, regularly appearing with him in public before and after the start of the war.

Although Ovechkin has never publicly spoken out in support of or against the conflict, his support for the Russian president could well hurt him if the Russian national hockey team gets special permission in the near future.

Overtime

– Read more.

– And in your opinion?

– Retirement for Blake Wheeler.

– Jays win.

– What a shot from Tyler Heineman!

– Canada in the final!