Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
While Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has been a NHL All-Star a previous eight times, the 2023 All-Star Weekend will be the first in which he will be joined by one of his two sons, in this case his older son Sergei. The four and a half year old toddler donned the Capitals’ Reverse Retro attire and his father’s trademarks yellow-laced skates ahead of the Skills Competition, taking in the full All-Star experience alongside dad.
Prior to the main event, Sergei made the rounds with his father, speaking with the media gathered in the Sunshine State, and socializing with some of the game’s biggest stars.
Hittin’ the red carpet with pops #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/R8sXTgbNDi
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 3, 2023
everyone wants to meet the little guy pic.twitter.com/4jcAKvcmqt
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 3, 2023
Given the relaxed and family feel to All-Star Weekend, players are often joined by their children on the ice for the Skills Competition. Sergei, who unlike his father is a left-handed shot, took the ice with Alex and the other All-Stars, taking warmups, and participating in the Breakaway challenge with his father and Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby.
#ALLCAPS Sergei Ovechkin leading the metropolitan division out of the tunnel pic.twitter.com/Iwh2WXu24T
— Capitals Replays (@capsreplays) February 4, 2023
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 3, 2023
Warmies for Sergei 😁 🎥 @nastyashubskya #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ZBaTdraidq
— #ALLCAPS (@JonItBe) February 4, 2023
you’re doing amazing, sweetie! pic.twitter.com/F5ugvQwSsP
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2023
“You want to go first?” pic.twitter.com/Wn43ZJp9vY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2023
We love Ovi’s proud dad energy 🥺🥺@Capitals | #ALLCAPS | #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/J7kgOzLCI6
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) February 4, 2023
During the Breakaway Challenge, Sergei showed just what a chip off the block he is, to the delight of all in attendance, including mom Nastya; S. Ovechkin (1) on Assists from A. Ovechkin and S. Crosby is about as good as it gets!
Ovi Jr. with the straight 10s across the board in his @GreatClips NHL Breakaway Challenge debut. 🥺 #NHLAllStar
🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/jL0Yp45O0P
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/diK5LiZzcu #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/SGj4oIwkrW— NHL (@NHL) February 4, 2023
The toddler was arguably the star of the night, and in addition to some quality father-son time, took in an experience he likely won’t forget anytime soon.
𝙤𝙝𝙢𝙮𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 pic.twitter.com/DrURIVUUFO
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 3, 2023
what do we think #OviJr said here? pic.twitter.com/5ZZRvTVjEz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2023
Mini-Ovi just scored on Soroky. #ALLCAPS #Isles pic.twitter.com/8nZLpexYFe
— CordUp 🔌🍋 (@CordUpTime) February 3, 2023
he may be wearing 8, but #OviJr is a 10 in our book pic.twitter.com/HZvSGutPr7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2023
With assists from Dad and Crosby….
Sign him now. Don’t let him be a Penquin
And there’s some very proud grandparents watching back in Moscow.