Yesterday the NHL announced that their players won’t be participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The announcement was met with much criticism from fans and players alike. Alex Ovechkin has made it known that he will represent his country in the games and this recent announcement didn’t alter his decision. Ovechkin reiterated his stance this morning at the Capitals morning skate.
Ovechkin met with a huge crowd of reporters in Toronto before the Capitals held their morning skate.
Ovechkin on Olympics, if he’s still going: “Yeah, I didn’t change my mind. I’m still going ” pic.twitter.com/SzO2RUpL79
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) April 4, 2017
Ovechkin represented Russia in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, but the team didn’t win a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Evgeny Kuznestov said he intends to join Ovechkin with Russia for the Olympics even if the NHL is firm on its stance. Both players think a deal can be resolved.
Ovechkin basically said that until next season’s schedule comes out, NHL could be bluffing.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2017
Other Capitals were also asked about the NHL’s decision:
Would Backstrom go? “I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. We’ll see if we’re allowed.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2017
Meanwhile, Braden Holtby reiterated that if the NHL doesn’t participate, he won’t leave his team.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2017
Kuznetsov said he thinks he and Orlov would also want to go. “It’s the heart.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2017
Obviously this story is just getting started. Here is the video of Ovechkin’s media scrum this morning in Toronto:
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By Michael Marzzacco
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