Paris Soir - Ovechkin Declines to Weigh In on Russian Hockey Ban Amid Protest Plans

Washington Capitals star forward Alex Ovechkin said Tuesday that Russian athletes simply want the opportunity to represent their country, but he declined to offer an opinion on the decision to allow Russia back into international hockey tournaments.

Ovechkin addressed reporters in Ottawa ahead of his team’s game against the Senators, speaking at a time when the status of Russian players in global competition remains highly contentious. Last month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation’s ban on Russia competing in its events, reversing a suspension that had been in place since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

While Belarus has also been banned from competing, the CAS ruling specifically addressed the Russian ban. However, national governments and sporting bodies have maintained their own restrictions. The Canadian government announced it would not allow Russian players to compete at the upcoming world junior hockey championships in Alberta next month.

When asked about this decision, Ovechkin focused on the perspective of spectators rather than political or ethical stances. He noted that fans want to see the best athletes on the ice, including young players who may become future stars in the NHL.

“I don’t know how it’s going to work out, but I’m pretty sure if you ask the fans, the fans want to see the best players out there,” Ovechkin told reporters. “The fans want to see young generation players who are going to be future stars, future NHLers. But you know it’s not up to us.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was unequivocal earlier this month in stating that Russian players would not be present at the world juniors in Edmonton. The ban drew support from Wayne Gretzky, the NHL’s all-time points leader, who said he understood the prime minister’s stance and believed many Canadians shared that view.

Ovechkin, however, stopped short of endorsing or criticizing the Canadian government’s position. When pressed on Prime Minister Carney’s decision, Ovechkin replied, “It’s his thoughts, his decisions.”

The issue has drawn opposition from other nations as well. The Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced it would refuse to play Russia if the teams meet at the world juniors. Finland and Czechia have also threatened boycotts.

Canada’s secretary of state for sport, Adam van Koeverden, stated last week that the decision to bar Russia stems from accusations that the Kremlin has used sporting success for propaganda purposes to garner domestic support for the war in Ukraine. Ovechkin denied these allegations when asked about them Tuesday.

“As an athlete, you want to represent your country,” Ovechkin said. “It doesn’t matter which — world championship, Olympic Games, European championship. You just want to go out there and play and represent your country.”

The controversy extends beyond the ice. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is organizing a demonstration outside the Canadian Tire Centre titled “No War Crimes in Hockey” to protest Ovechkin’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The organization has held similar demonstrations around Ottawa, including a rally in February that drew 300 people to Parliament Hill.

Ovechkin publicly backed Putin in 2017 by launching a social movement called “Putin Team.” He has also appeared in an advertisement for a political party aligned with Putin earlier this year. When asked about his relationship with the Russian president, Ovechkin has previously stated, “He’s my president, but I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete.”

Tuesday night’s game marks the start of the Canadian leg of Ovechkin’s farewell tour, as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer says this will be his final season. Despite the CAS ruling potentially opening doors for Russia to compete in non-IIHF events like the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, Ovechkin ruled out representing his country one last time.

“No. One hundred per cent, no,” he said with a smile.

The game is expected to draw significant attention off the ice due to the planned protests and the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding Russian participation in international sports.

K.Grimaud--PS