NHL top star facing backlash after supporting Putin’s party in Russian elections

Ovechkin’s Election Appearance Triggers International Fallout

Sandego.net – Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals captain and the NHL’s career scoring leader, is under intense criticism after appearing in a campaign video for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party ahead of Russia’s parliamentary vote this weekend.

The video promotes Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, one of the most prominent figures standing for the party. In the footage, Lavrov delivers a combative message toward Moscow’s adversaries, saying they should “expect no mercy.” Ovechkin appears alongside several public figures closely associated with Kremlin messaging.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Ovechkin said he had no doubts about taking part in the recording. He described his decision as an expression of loyalty to Russia and said he plans to return there after his playing career ends.

“I’m Russian. I support my country.”

Ovechkin also spoke about his family and future in Russia, while presenting himself as someone who wants an end to conflict.

“I’m gonna live there, my kids are gonna live there. I’m for peace and love and I hope everything’s going to be okay.”

Political response grows in Europe and North America

The appearance and Ovechkin’s subsequent comments have prompted sharp reactions in Latvia, Canada and the United States. Latvia announced Thursday that Ovechkin would no longer be permitted to enter the country.

Latvia’s Foreign Ministry also listed Umar Kremlev, a Kremlin-connected businessman, among those barred from entry. Kremlev reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on elements of Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebration in the Bahamas. President Donald Trump said Friday that his son had repaid the Russian billionaire.

In Canada, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress called for sanctions against Ovechkin and urged authorities to refuse him entry. The organization represents about 1.3 million Canadians who identify as Ukrainian and described the Capitals star as “a disgusting supporter of Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine.”

US Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, wrote to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to express concern over Ovechkin’s support for what Wilson called “the party of war criminal Putin.” Wilson asked the league to examine its policies in light of the controversy.

The dispute highlights the difficult position facing major international sports leagues when elite athletes take overt political roles in their home countries. Ovechkin is not simply a prominent Russian player; he is one of the league’s most recognizable figures, with a long career in the US and a large fan base across North America.

War, propaganda and the role of athletes

Russia rejects accusations that it has committed war crimes during its war against Ukraine. Putin and other Russian officials nevertheless face charges from the International Criminal Court related to the conflict.

For many critics, Ovechkin’s decision to participate in a United Russia advertisement goes beyond a personal political statement. Olga Saladukha, who leads the Ukrainian Athletics Federation, said the episode showed why Russian sport cannot be separated from state politics.

“Sport and athletes represent in the Russian Federation – yet another element of the state, state propaganda, militarism and imperial delusions.”

Dominik Hasek, the NHL Hall of Fame goaltender and longtime critic of Russia’s invasion, also condemned Ovechkin’s stance in a post on X. Hasek said the player carries substantial responsibility through his public position for Ukrainians and Russians killed or seriously injured during the war.

The campaign video also includes Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the state broadcaster RT, and actor Vladimir Mashkov. Mashkov, known internationally for roles in “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” has been sanctioned in Europe for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Capitals say they were not informed in advance

The Washington Capitals said Ovechkin was invited to make the video while spending the summer in Russia. General manager Chris Patrick told ESPN that the club had not been informed beforehand that the filming would take place.

“I would say it’s a difficult situation, and I understand why people are upset.”

The response leaves the Capitals and the NHL navigating the consequences of an issue that reaches well beyond hockey. The league has previously had to balance the presence of Russian players with the political and humanitarian impact of the war, but Ovechkin’s visibility makes this case especially sensitive.

His accomplishments on the ice remain extraordinary. Ovechkin has worn the Capitals captaincy for 16 seasons, and the club extended his multimillion-dollar contract for one additional season in July. In April 2025, he surpassed the NHL’s all-time scoring record and received a personal message of congratulations from Putin. Last November, one month after his 40th birthday, he scored the 900th goal of his NHL career.

His relationship with Putin has long been public. Ovechkin’s Instagram profile image shows him with the Russian president, and he has campaigned for Putin before. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however, Ovechkin has generally used more restrained language in public, noting that he has friends in both Russia and Ukraine and expressing hope that the war would end soon.

That earlier caution now sits in contrast with his latest campaign appearance. For supporters, Ovechkin’s remarks reflect attachment to his homeland. For opponents, the advertisement represents a public endorsement of a political establishment deeply tied to the war. The clash is likely to follow one of hockey’s biggest stars into the coming NHL season.