Photo: Instagram/Alex Ovechkin
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin announced the passing of his father, Mikhail, on Wednesday. The announcement was made on his Instagram account.
Alex inscribed the post: “Today I lost my father. I thank everyone for their support, but please be understanding and do not disturb my family in this difficult time for us.”
Ovechkin took a leave of absence from the Capitals on Tuesday. The Capitals announced that Ovechkin was tending to family matters related to the health of a loved one. It’s assumed he and his family made the trip back to Russia on Tuesday.
Mikhail Ovechkin, who played soccer professionally before an injury cut short his career, had a big impact on Alex’s professional hockey career along with Ovechkin’s mother Tatyana, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the Soviet Union in women’s basketball (1976 and 1980). They helped spark Ovechkin’s love of hockey from a young age.
Mikhail Ovechkin was unable to travel to see the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018 because of health reasons. This is the moment that summer when Alex brought the Cup to him at Dynamo Moscow’s training facility. As Mikhail said that day “Huge happiness.” pic.twitter.com/bdi4U2wDgc
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 15, 2023
“My father, I remember, he would go on some trips and bring me some goalie helmets,” Alex Ovechkin said after he signed a 13-year contract with the Capitals in 2008. “I didn’t know what it was, except it was something about hockey, and when I was a little kid everything was about hockey, hockey, hockey.”
Mikhail Ovechkin was 71.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex and the Ovechkin family.
Condolences to the Ovechkin family.
Sad news and much sympathy for Ovie and his family.
Prayers to Ovi and his family 🙏
Prayers for Alex and his family. Glad that his father was able to see his son happily married with two lovely children.
Thoughts and prayers to Alex and his family.
Prayers for the Ovechkin family. Awful knews. I really hope Alex’s mom is okay as this is so difficult for the spouse, especially after being together for so long.
condolences
My heart goes out to you and your family during this very difficult time. I’m so, so sorry for the loss of your father, it’s such a heartbreaking feeling. Treasure the memories of such an amazing, honorable, loving, and proud father & grandfather. Much love and prayers to you all!
Prayers Ovi.
I feel bad for him I have very high respect to Alex and what he done to Capitals is amazing breaking records after records helping the team to the Stanley cup. Now his dad is gone Rest in peace Mikhail. You and your wife raise a very generational talent here for The Caps fans to enjoy
I remember in the early days of Alex’s career, they’d get a shot of his parents on TV. Those two, who had lived in Soviet Russia, looked happy and proud enough to bust. And I always smiled, seeing how much Alex looked like his dad.
RIP Gospodin Ovechkin