Ovechkin’s Interview Takes Political Turn

During an interview meant to kick off the NHL season, a discussion turned unexpectedly intense when a reporter confronted one of the league’s legendary figures, Alexander Ovechkin, with political inquiries.

Just under two weeks before the NHL season begins, the Washington Capitals’ forward found himself in a media session where an ESPN journalist started asking about his participation in a recent political advertisement.

Ovechkin, who holds the record as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer—surpassing even Wayne Gretzky—was featured in a pro-Russia advertisement for President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party ahead of the elections that took place last weekend.

Even though Ovechkin merely stood in the background of the ad, ESPN reporter Robert Klemko, who has Ukrainian heritage, pressed him about the specifics of the filming, questioning whether he had informed his team prior to the shoot.

Ovechkin’s response was straightforward: “No,” as recalled by Klemko.

Klemko then stated that Ovechkin’s presence in the commercial might be perceived as a pro-war declaration.

I mean, Ovechkin’s response was, “I don’t think it’s pro-war. I think it’s just support for what’s happening in Russia. I want peace and love for everybody, regardless of whether you’re American, Russian, or Ukrainian.”

As the reporter suggested the war might end soon if Putin halted the invasion, he further questioned Ovechkin about whether he would support Russia “no matter what.”

The 41-year-old replied, “Well, I’m gonna live there, yeah.”

This led to Klemko asking a provocative question: “So if they’re responsible for a genocide, you would support the genocide?”

Ovechkin asked for clarification on the term “genocide” from his media team, which was later corroborated by various sources. He then said, “Oh, I would hope it’s not gonna be like that.”

In a later segment aired by CTV News, Ovechkin mentioned plans to move back to Russia after his hockey career, asserting, “I’m going to stay there. I’m going to live there. My kids are going to live there.”

Regarding the political ad, he emphasized that he’s “for peace and love” and expressed hope that “everything’s going to be okay.” When asked about participating in the advertisement, he simply replied, “Yes,” calling the decision straightforward.

Klemko reportedly continued to press Ovechkin after a group press conference, trying to explain the signals his involvement in the ad might send. Ovechkin maintained responses like “I’m not in politics” and “I don’t know who that is” regarding certain individuals mentioned in the ad. Yet, Klemko persisted, asking if Ovechkin felt he was promoting propaganda.

Klemko noted that the narrative mirrored messages suggesting Ukraine was to blame for the invasion. Ovechkin responded, “I can’t say who’s right and who’s wrong.”

During their discussion, Klemko informed Ovechkin about one of the individuals in the ad, Maria Lvova Belova, who has been accused by the International Criminal Court of abducting Ukrainian children. Ovechkin said he wasn’t familiar with her.

Klemko later wrote an article for ESPN that cited a University of Maryland scholar asserting that Russia is “perpetuating a genocide on Ukrainian people.” The scholar claimed, “Putin has said Ukraine and Ukrainians have no right to exist. And this is a key reason for the invasion. Ovechkin supports Putin, he supports the Russian regime, and that means he supports genocide.”

After Klemko’s inquiries about genocide, the media relations team concluded the interview. Capitals general manager Chris Patrick later stated that had Ovechkin informed the team about the ad, the organization would have worked to avoid the situation entirely, implying they wouldn’t be in this difficult position had he consulted them beforehand.