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For more than a dozen years, cheered and revered in both., Alex Ovechkin has skated between two worlds: his country of birth and his professional home. He’s beloved

Ovechkin says the PutinTeam movement was his idea,Authentic Michael Hutchinson jersey, though there are signs that a Kremlin—backed public—relations firm might have played a role. Ovechkin’s decision to wave the Putin banner comes at an especially awkward time: Relations between the countries are frayed, according to a recent Gallup poll., and a special counsel is investigating possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials ahead of the 2016 election. Seven in 10 Americans hold an unfavorable opinion of Russia

The situation is certainly a thorny one for the Washington Capitals and the National Hockey League. Ted Leonsis, $124 million contract in 2008, declined to comment for this article, as did the league office. The Capitals prefer for Ovechkin to discuss the situation himself, even off the ice,Authentic Connor Hellebuyck jersey, the Capitals team owner who signed Ovechkin to a 13—year, keeping team brass at arm’s length from a sensitive topic that’s fraught with complications. Theirs is a business relationship in which Ovechkin is paid handsomely — he will earn $10 million this season — but team officials know that, one of the game’s most recognizable players must always represent Russia as well as Washington.

but Capitals fans are still showing up to games,Authentic Wayne Simmonds jersey,He says he is aware that vocally supporting Putin could rub some Americans the wrong way, still wearing Ovechkin’s No. 8 jersey, and there’s no sign his legacy or standing among Washington hockey fans has suffered., still cheering his on—ice exploits

last week he announced the soft launch of a new Russian—language website — putinteam.ru — inviting people to sign up for the team,Though Ovechkin shared no details of his PutinTeam effort when he made his Instagram post Nov. 2, track related news,” the site reads. “Everyone who shares our values can join the team.”,Authentic Claude Giroux jersey, participate in contests and attend and organize events. “PutinTeam is an informal movement

his pride in Russia has been evident from the day he arrived in Washington. “He didn’t really say anything,While Ovechkin doesn’t talk politics in the Capitals’ locker room,” said Bruce Boudreau, he is about his.”, who coached the Capitals from 2007 to 2011. “He’s a very passionate man. As we’re passionate about our country

The Putin—Ovechkin relationship seemed to grow in the buildup to the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and he carried the nation’s hopes into the highly anticipated men’s hockey tournament., Putin’s biggest opportunity to showcase his country to the world. Ovechkin was the face of the Winter Games. He was given the honor of running the first leg of the Olympic torch’s journey from Greece to Moscow

Putin had a front—row seat to Olympic disappointment as the Russian hockey team lost in a shootout against the United States, then failed to win a medal. Three months later, the Russians beat Finland to win the world championship in Belarus. Cameras captured Ovechkin helping Putin drink champagne from the trophy in the postgame locker room., though

Putin reportedly rewarded every player with a Mercedes—Benz, and the team returned to Moscow for a special reception at the Kremlin. “You remember how in the locker room on Sunday you offered me champagne?” Putin told the team, now it’s my turn.”, according to Russian news reports. “Well

While Ovechkin rarely spoke publicly about Putin as a young player, he posted a birthday message to Putin on Instagram. “You’re on the right track and we respect your actions and will support you in everything always because we also love our country!!!” Ovechkin wrote., he has become more open in recent years with sharing his admiration via social media. In September 2014

The Russian president has reciprocated the warm feelings. He gave Ovechkin an ornamental tea set as a wedding present last year and sent a telegram that was read aloud at the reception.

Ovechkin has mostly sidestepped political discussions and hasn’t delved deeply into some of Putin’s more controversial actions. In 2013, prompting criticism from all corners of the world in advance of the Sochi Games. “Our job is to play. I’d rather speak about that, Putin signed a law punishing anyone who spread “propaganda of non—traditional sexual relations” to minors,” Ovechkin told Russian website sports.ru at the time.

telling ESPN then,A year later, Ovechkin uploaded a photo on his Instagram account in which the player was holding a sign that read #SaveChildrenFromFascism,” a hashtag used at the time by pro—Russian groups seeking support in Ukraine. It came months after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and amid fears Moscow would further escalate the situation with an open invasion of Ukraine. Ovechkin downplayed the significance of his post, “I don’t try to make a statement.”

“If he played in Carolina, very complex geopolitical issues, this probably wouldn’t be as interesting to some people as it probably is,adidas Philipp Grubauer jersey, just given where he lives and works and what he does,” said the Ovechkin associate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so he could talk more freely. “To say that Alex or anybody is following the daily nuances of really high—level, they’re probably not doing that, right?”

Ovechkin says he mostly watches hockey news but occasionally takes in political reports. At the least,adidas Connor Hellebuyck jersey, he knows how Putin is perceived by many in the United States.

The Capitals feature players from nine countries, Denmark,adidas Michael Hutchinson jersey,adidas Claude Giroux jersey, including five Americans, three Russians and others from Canada, Sweden, Austria, Australia, Czech Republic and Germany.

If any teammate is at odds with the captain’s pro—Putin stance, he hasn’t said so publicly.

While the Capitals organization may not be eager to discuss Ovechkin’s relationship with Putin,Authentic Shayne Gostisbehere jersey, they accept the demands being placed on him from Moscow and recognize the franchise has at times had to work around them, team officials are aware that it could upset some fans. At the same time, especially during the offseason.

When Washington hired Barry Trotz as coach in May 2014, Trotz later explained, one of his first acts was a phone call to Ovechkin, who was in Moscow. The two spoke only briefly, because the new coach caught the star player “at Mr. Putin’s house,adidas Wayne Simmonds jersey,” where they were celebrating Russia’s world championship.

To connect more closely with Ovechkin,Authentic Nolan Patrick jersey, Trotz’s predecessor, Adam Oates, boarded a plane after he was hired in 2012 and flew to Moscow to meet the Russian star. They watched video together and chatted about Ovechkin’s role on the team.

because Ovechkin was called to attend a Kremlin—related function promoting the Sochi Olympics. “So we were a little unlucky with that,“We had a good time,” Oates told The Post then. But their visit was cut short, Oates said,” Oates said.

Some of the complications in the Ovechkin—Putin relationship take place far away from the ice,adidas Shayne Gostisbehere jersey, in murky areas that team officials concede they probably don’t fully understand.

This was perhaps most prevalent in the past year, and some players initially threatened to walk away from their NHL teams to represent their countries. None was louder than Ovechkin. But when the NHL refused to budge, when Olympic officials tried to strike a deal with the NHL that would allow the league’s players to compete in the Winter Games in South Korea in February. The NHL did not want to send them,Ovechkin eventually resigned himself to missing out on playing in a fourth Olympics for his country.

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