During the off-season, Alex Ovechkin sat down for an interview with friend and Russian journalist Amiran Sardarov. Ovi discussed the Caps beer fridge, retirement plans, his kids’ love of hockey, playing in the Olympics and more.
Capitals’ coaching room beer fridge
“I can’t imagine a [hockey player] who says he doesn’t drink…You can take a break for a certain time, but after the game 2-3 cans of beer – with pleasure…We have a fridge with beer in the coaching room in Washington. It’s normal,” Ovechkin said, translated via Apple Translate.
Ovi didn’t mention where in the arena the beer fridge was, other than to say it’s in the coaching room. Perhaps that’s where some of those leftover beer cans from the arena concessions go at the end of the night.
Retirement Plans
Many Caps fans would like to see Ovi stay in the DMV, and be involved with the Capitals in some capacity after he hangs up his skates. But it sounds like Ovechkin has a bit of a different plan that involves staying in Russia, where he can be close to family and friends.
After retiring, he says, “We will relax and enjoy life. Then we’ll have to look for my own business that will bring pleasure to me and those around me. I want to visit several countries: Japan, Africa, China.”
1500 NHL Games
There’s a lot of attention surrounding Ovechkin’s (853, 2nd) chase of Gretzky’s (894, 1st) regular season goals record. But that’s not the record Ovechkin is most excited about breaking.
“I want to play 1500 games,” Ovechkin said. Currently, he has played 1426 games in the NHL, all with the Capitals. He holds the record for most NHL games played by any Russian.
Without any injuries or major hurdles, Ovechkin could reach 1500 games by the end of this season. He would be the 22nd player in NHL history and first Washington Capital to do so.
Ovi Jr. and Ovi Jr. Jr. Playing Hockey
Ovechkin has two sons, Sergei and Ilya. Sergei stole the show at the 2023 NHL All Star game and Ilya, well, he’ll be there soon.
In Ovi’s own words, he doesn’t want to force them into hockey. But he did mention Sergei loves hockey, and I think his appearance at the All Star game is proof enough.
(P.S, Capitals – let’s definitely get in a good draft position in 15 or so years, you know, just in case. Ovi Jr, if he pursues hockey, has got to play for the Caps.)
The interview concluded with probably the simplest question: What does Alex Ovechkin dream about? Besides ice hockey gr8ness, of course.
Ovi’s response as translated by Google Translate, “So that everyone is healthy…[for] everyone [to] be healthy and happy.”
