Ovechkin Faces Ban Calls Over Putin Party Ad
Ovechkin Faces Ban Calls Over Putin Party Ad
The News
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin appeared in a campaign video for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party days before Russia's parliamentary elections, and critics are now calling for the NHL to ban him.
Ovechkin is visible in a group of supporters standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who heads United Russia's parliamentary list for the September 18–20 vote. Russian outlet Vedomosti published images and video of the ad.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Lavrov in 2022, naming him an architect of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Who Else Is in the Ad
RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, actor Vladimir Mashkov and former NHL player Viacheslav Fetisov also appear alongside Lavrov.
Timeline
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctions Sergey Lavrov, naming him an architect of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Ovechkin appears in the United Russia campaign video, standing in a group of supporters behind Lavrov. Vedomosti publishes the images and video. Ovechkin also skates at the Capitals' practice facility the same day as the team's training camp opens this week.
International coverage spreads and calls mount for the NHL to bar Ovechkin, with critics including Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek and celebrity chef José Andrés.
Russia's parliamentary elections are scheduled.
Reactions
Six-time Vezina Trophy winner Dominik Hasek was blunt: "Everyone in this photograph has chosen to officially support Russia's imperialist war in Ukraine. Because of each of them, many Ukrainians and Russians will be killed."
Celebrity chef and Capitals fan José Andrés called it "a sad day for my beloved DC team," saying Russia is "killing civilians everyday" in Ukraine.
Deutsche Welle noted the appearance fits a long pattern of support from an athlete who has claimed he is not political.
Coverage agrees on the facts of the ad but splits on emphasis: left-leaning outlets stress Ovechkin's history of actively promoting Putin, while center outlets give more weight to his recent hedged statements and his on-ice record.
What's Next
Russia's parliamentary elections run Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18–20.
The Capitals open training camp this week, and neither the team nor the NHL has announced any formal response or disciplinary action.
Some critics are pressing U.S. and Canadian authorities to restrict Ovechkin's visa status — a step no government has taken.
More
Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, has 929 career goals and turns 41 this week.
His contract includes a games-played bonus that triggers at 10 games, a wrinkle in any decision the team might weigh.
Poll
Should the NHL take action against Ovechkin over the United Russia campaign ad?
Blanche Holds Rose Garden Briefing, Stunning Legal Experts
Holdout Juror's Brother: Faith Didn't Drive Vote
Sep 15, 2026
Massie Files Impeachment Articles Against Hegseth Over Iran
Sep 15, 2026
US Shifts Military Aid to Trump-Aligned Latin Allies
Sep 15, 2026
JustWatch Launches Ad-Supported Streaming Service in October
Sep 15, 2026
Meta Starts Charging for AI Across Its Apps
Sep 15, 2026
FBI Docs: Trump Shooter Used 'Bob Dole' Alias
Sep 15, 2026
U.S. Sinks Iranian Boats After Navy Drone Grab
Sep 15, 2026
DA Won't Seek Death Penalty for Nick Reiner
Sep 15, 2026
Patel Defends FBI's Loosened Bestiality Hiring Rule
Sep 15, 2026
Median Household Income Hits Record $87,460
Sep 15, 2026
UN: Yemen Fighting Displaces Over 100,000
Sep 15, 2026
Trump Blasts Own Justices Over Mail-Vote Ruling
Sep 15, 2026
Gaza Documentary's Venice Win Ignites Israeli Firestorm
Sep 15, 2026
FBI Arrests PA Man Over Alleged ISIS Plot
Sep 15, 2026
Patel Grilled by Senators Over FBI Exodus
Sep 15, 2026
Pentagon Watchdog Tallies $33.4B Iran War Cost
Sep 15, 2026
EU Chief Sets Out Bloc's Agenda Wednesday
Sep 15, 2026
Inquiry: Hospital Failures Let Letby Kill More Babies
Sep 15, 2026
China Closes AI Gap as West Debates Risks
Sep 15, 2026
Sep 15, 2026