**Alexander Ovechkin: The Great Goal Scorer with a Complex Legacy**
The National Hockey League (NHL) has just witnessed an extraordinary achievement – Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ star player, has become the greatest goal scorer in NHL history. This milestone is not only a testament to his incredible skills on the ice but also cements his legacy as one of hockey’s most influential figures.
However, beyond the excitement of this achievement lies a more complex reality. Ovechkin’s public persona is deeply entangled with Russia’s propaganda machine, reflecting a fusion of Russian nationalism, loyalty to the Kremlin, and unwavering support for President Vladimir Putin and his regime.
**The Close Ties between Ovechkin and Putin**
Ovechkin’s relationship with Putin is well-documented. In 2014, he appeared in a campaign called “Save Children from Fascism,” which laid the groundwork for narratives about Ukraine’s so-called “denazification.” This rhetoric was later used to justify the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, a crime for which Putin has been charged by the International Criminal Court.
In 2016, Putin phoned Ovechkin during his wedding reception to congratulate the newlyweds. When Putin finished speaking, Ovechkin interrupted the celebration to put the president on speakerphone and responded: “We all love and respect you.” The next year, he launched “PutinTeam,” a campaign endorsing Putin’s presidential candidacy.
**The Tradition of Athletes as National Symbols**
Ovechkin’s connection to Putin is deeply ingrained, shaped by his upbringing, nationalistic worldview, and strong sense of patriotic duty. This is not an isolated incident; throughout Russian history, prominent athletes have been elevated as national symbols. During the Soviet era, they were awarded state honors and military titles that cemented their loyalty to the regime.
This tradition continues in post-Soviet Russia, where Putin has used athletes like Ovechkin and Khabib Nurmagomedov (an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter) to project an image of Russia as strong, resilient, and unyielding. Athletes like Ovechkin are seen as instruments of soft power, manipulating a global audience through their charisma.
**The Silence of the Hockey World**
As Slava Malamud, a former sports journalist whose NHL press credentials were revoked by the Washington Capitals after he repeatedly questioned Ovechkin’s silence on the war in Ukraine, put it: “In Russia, the athlete is never just an athlete. They’re an extension of the state, performing for the cameras, pushing the agenda that benefits the Kremlin and its grip on power.”
The media frenzy surrounding Ovechkin’s record-breaking pursuit was eagerly mirrored by the Kremlin. In Russia, it became a symbolic triumph on Western soil. On the night Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky with his 895th goal, Moscow’s Soviet-era Ostankino TV tower was illuminated with his image.
**A Moment of Greatest Symbolic Significance**
The moment of greatest symbolic significance came when Ovechkin thanked Russians after breaking the record, but not the United States – the country that gave him a platform, a home, and a fortune. The hockey world celebrates without pause for reflection, and the silence about what Ovechkin represents is even louder.
In conclusion, Alexander Ovechkin’s achievement is a remarkable testament to his skills on the ice, but it also highlights the complex reality of his relationship with Putin and Russia’s propaganda machine. As we celebrate this milestone, let us not forget the deeper implications of Ovechkin’s actions and the silence of the hockey world.
**Editor’s Note**
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.