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With the heartbreaking news of the passing of Mikhail Ovechkin, the father of Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, yesterday, the team held a moment of silence ahead of their game against the Florida Panthers.

The Caps’ captain posted the announcement of his father’s passing yesterday, asking for privacy in the wake of the loss of the family patriarch. Ahead of their tilt against Florida, the team held a moment of silence in his honor.

The @Capitals held a moment of silence prior to puck drop to honor Mikhail Ovechkin (1951-2023). pic.twitter.com/jyIoz8h0ZG

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 17, 2023

Mikhail, who passed away at the age of 71, was an enthusiastic and ardent support of his son and the Caps, and was a larger than life personality when he visited his son in Washington.

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Capitals Head Coach Peter Laviolette told the media after practice on Wednesday that Ovechkin (Alex) would have as much time as necessary to deal with the loss of his father.

By Michael Fleetwood