Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin resumed team practice on Tuesday afternoon after taking a break exceeding one week. During his first media interaction on Wednesday, Ovechkin shared details of his recent time off but quickly avoided commenting on the current Olympic Games, reflecting the ongoing exclusion of Russia from international hockey competitions.
Family Time Away from Hockey in Dubai
Alongside his wife Nastya and their sons Sergei and Ilya, Ovechkin spent his break vacationing in Dubai with several family members and friends. At 40 years old, he described the rest period as valuable, emphasizing the importance of disconnecting from the sport and global events.
“Kind of a long flight, but worth it. Some times with family, friends. Don’t think about hockey, don’t think about the world.”
Russia’s Absence from the Olympics and International Hockey
Russia has been prohibited from participating in the Olympics and the best-on-best hockey tournament, which involves 12 countries, because of its invasion of Ukraine. This ban, effective since February 2022, is set to extend through at least the 2026-27 season, leaving Russian athletes sidelined from key international stages like the Olympics and the NHL-sanctioned Four Nations Face Off.
Reflecting on the situation, Artemi Panarin, another prominent player, expressed sympathy for the athletes affected by the ban but acknowledged the broader geopolitical context.
“But also it’s pretty sad for athletes who play that sport all [their] life and then have dreams about that. For our side, it’s pretty sad, but we can’t control that. I hope people figure it out. Especially when speaking with other guys who are going to play in the Olympics, they wish Russia is going to be there.”
– Artemi Panarin, professional hockey player
Ovechkin’s Olympic History and Current Stance
Throughout his career, Ovechkin competed in three Winter Olympics—2006, 2010, and 2014—but never earned a medal. His ambitions included securing both an Olympic gold and a Stanley Cup title before retiring. The last time he participated in the Olympics was in Sochi, Russia.
This year, however, Ovechkin chose not to follow the Olympic tournament at all. He also refrained from watching the NHL’s Four Nations Face Off, from which Russian teams were barred for the same reasons tied to the conflict in Ukraine.
“I won’t be watching the Four Nations Tournament, what’s the point of watching something where the Russian team isn’t participating?”
Current Olympic Participants from the Capitals and Broader Implications
Meanwhile, three Washington Capitals players remain active in the Olympic competition: Tom Wilson and Logan Thompson represent Canada, and Martin Fehervary plays for Slovakia. Ovechkin’s boycott highlights the ongoing tensions and emotional strain among Russian athletes unable to compete on the world stage due to political decisions beyond their control.
The situation underscores how international conflicts can lead to significant disruptions not only in global diplomacy but also deeply affect sports communities and individual careers.
Alex Ovechkin's first interview back from break. And no, he has not watched a lick of the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/zbosYiuXoS
— RMNB (@rmnb) February 18, 2026
