Associated Press Sep 15, 2026, 01:59 PM ET WASHINGTON -- After NHL career goal-scoring leader Alex Ovechkin appeared in an ad for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, the Washington Capitals said their longtime captain was asked to participate while back in his home country this summer.

"Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement," team spokesperson Sergey Kocharov said Tuesday. "His focus and ours is on the season ahead."

Ovechkin is seen standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Former NHL player Viacheslav "Slava" Fetisov also participated, leading to backlash from Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, who called it support for Russia's war against Ukraine. The NHL deferred to the Capitals.

Ovechkin, who turns 41 on Thursday, previously voiced support for Putin in 2017 with the "Putin Team." When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he said, "Please, no more war." He broke Wayne Gretzky's goals record in April 2024 with his 895th and has 929 career goals.