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Friday, May 30, 2008

Ovechkin predicts Pens winning the finals

Ovechkin's interview after receiving Art Ross and the Maurice Richard awards...
By Natalia Bragilevskaya, SovSport.ru, May 30, 2008:


Q.: You are dressed to kill! But can you explain why you came to the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev reception in flip-flops?

A.: I just didn't have time to change back then (Ovechkin laughs) On the other hand, it was a unique case. No one else in the history walked to the President's reception in flip-flops.

Q.: I know that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin invited you to meet him on June 3rd. What will you wear then?

A.: Probably something original again. I have a lot of choices: felt boots, bast shoes… (Alex continues to jest)

Q.: How long you'll be staying in US?

A.: I arrived on Tuesday(May 27), will be flying back on Thursday (May 29). I have a lot to do in Moscow. But now I will be watching game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals from Commissioner Gary Bettman's box.

A.: You have predicted that Pittsburgh will win the Stanley Cup. Now, a few hours before the third game, don't you want to give it up?

Q.: The series are not over yet! I still think that Pens will win the finals. I can even make a bet for that.

Q.: Why are you so sure?

A.: They have a team… If Pittsburgh will break and win a game, then most likely they will win the finals.

From newizv.ru, May 26, 2008:
Q. Now you are on vacation, Are you going to follow Stanley Cup finals?

Ovechkin: I need to pass through exams at my physical education college. I am not just a hockey player, I am also a student. And only after that I'll go on vacation.

Yes, I'll follow the finals especially because Pavel Datsyuk plays for Detroit and Evgeny Malkin is playing for Pittsburgh. All I can say the best team will win.

Ovechkin Unveils Streetwear Clothing Line

From newswire.ca, May 30, 2008:


TORONTO, May 29 /CNW/ - Be one of the first in the world to see the NHL's
hottest hockey star unveil his line of designer apparel before it hits store
shelves, exclusively at Pro Hockey Life. Join Hart Trophy nominee,
Alex Ovechkin as he hosts one of the most exclusive parties of the year at one
of Toronto's hottest venues. One-on-one interviews and photo opportunities
available with:

<<
- Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals
- Roger Edwards - Toronto-based, international award-winning designer
- Some of Canada's most beautiful models showcasing the new line

WHAT: Ovechkin Unveils Streetwear Clothing Line - VIP Cocktail Party

WHEN: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Red carpet begins - 7:00 pm
Unveiling and Opening Remarks - 8:00 pm
Evening concludes - 9:00 pm

WHERE: Spice Route, 499 King Street West, Toronto

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Ovechkin could be the first player in NHL history to win all four awards



Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin poses with the NHL Art Ross trophy (L) and the Maurice Richard trophy during an awards ceremony in Pittsburgh May 28, 2008.
Photograph by : Reuters


By Dave Gross, faceoff.com, May 28, 2008:


Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin could be marching his way into the National Hockey League record book very soon.

The 22-year-old accepted both the Art Ross Trophy (league leader in points scored) and Maurice Richard Trophy (league leader in goals scored) on Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh prior to Game 3 in the Stanley Cup final.

Ovechkin is also a finalist for the Lester B. Pearson award (most outstanding player, NHL Players' Association) and Hart Trophy (most outstanding player, Professional Hockey Writers' Association).

If he completes the sweep, the Russian sensation will become the first player in league history to win all four awards - though the Richard Trophy has been awarded only since 1999.

"I always wanted to be the best, even when I was a little kid," Ovechkin said in a conference call Wednesday afternoon. "I want to win the personal awards. Right now I've won a couple and next year (I hope) to win even more, and I want to win with my team."

The other major regular season awards will be presented at the NHL awards show on June 12 at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

"It would be cool," he said with a laugh. "I think every player wants to win something, so I'm glad I'm nominated and I'm glad to get the opportunity to win all four."

Ovechkin had 65 goals and 47 assists in 82 games in the regular season and led the Capitals to the playoffs for the first time since 2002-03.

"It's important for our fans to know that the Capitals players are winning (awards) and they're good players," he said. "We know on the team that we have good players, and it's good for our fans (to see the recognition). The last month (of the season) was unbelievable with all the fans screaming and happy."

He added another four goals and five assists during Washington's opening round, seven-game loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ovechkin led all players in power-play goals (22) and game-winning goals (11) during the regular season. As well, he set the single-season NHL record for goals by a left-winger and his 65 goals were the most by an NHL player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Ovechkin gets 250 of a possible 287 votes for SN's "Player of the year"

The Sporting News, May 20 ,2008:
Before the Stanley Cup finals begin, it's time to hand out Sporting News' 2008 NHL Awards. Winners were determined by a vote of their peers, and all voting was conducted before the playoffs. Individuals could not vote for themselves, and players could not vote for teammates.

Player of the year
Alex Ovechkin, LW, Capitals

"Alexander the Great, indeed. All Ovechkin did was score 65 goals, the most by an NHL player since 1996, win the Art Ross Trophy with 112 points and lead a charge by the Capitals from last place to a Southeast Division title. It was enough to impress his peers, who gave Ovechkin, 22, 250 of a possible 287 votes for the league's highest player honor. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin finished second with 18 votes.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin finished second with 18 votes."


Ovechkin - 250, Malkin - 18. Wow, what a difference!


Capitals Headlines, May 20, 2008

SN’s 2008 All-Star Team (also selected by vote of their peers):

Alex Ovechkin (Capitals), Jarome Iginla (Calgary), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)
Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit), Mike Green (Capitals)
Martin Brodeur (New Jersey)

Washington is the only club with two selections to the team.

Ovechkin and Green led the league in goals and goals by a defenseman, respectively, the first teammates to do so since Hall of Famers Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey in 1988-89. On Sunday they were both named to the all-tournament team at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, where Ovechkin’s Russian team won the gold and Green took silver with Canada.

Ovechkin has been named a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player by vote of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and the Lester B. Pearson Award as the league’s most outstanding player by vote of the NHL Players’ Association. The winners of those awards will be announced Thursday, June 12, during the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special, which will be broadcast live throughout the United States on VERSUS and in Canada on CBC from the historic Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

Ovechkin has already claimed the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top point scorer (112 points) and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the top goal scorer (65 goals). He also led the league in power-play goals (22), game-winning goals (11) and shots (446), while playing all 82 games. Ovechkin scored a higher percentage of his team’s goals than any other player (27.3%) and had a hand in more of his team’s goals than any other player (47.1%).

His 65 goals set a Capitals record and an NHL record for goals by a left wing. Ovechkin wrapped up his third NHL season as the first player since 1996 to reach 60 goals and one of only 12 players all-time to score 65 or more goals. Ovechkin shared the NHL lead with three hat tricks and had two of the league’s four four-goal games all season.

Ovechkin’s +28 rating was seventh in the league and tied for first on the team with Viktor Kozlov and he was among the league’s top 10 in hits (220) and takeaways (69).

Ovechkin, who led the Capitals to the playoffs for the first time since 2003, appeared in his second NHL All-Star Game in January. He was the NHL’s First Star for the months of January and March and was a five-time selection as one of the Three Stars of the week. Ovechkin was named the MVP and the league’s best player by The Hockey News, the “Monster of the Year” by TSN’s Pierre McGuire, the Clutch Scorer and a unanimous choice for MVP by USA Today’s panel and the “Espo Award” winner as the league MVP by Phil Esposito of XM Radio NHL Home Ice.

Green led NHL defensemen in goals (18) and ranked seventh in points (56). He led the Capitals in average ice time (23:38) and set a Capitals single-season record with three overtime goals.

Ovechkin digs out Canadian Lucky Loonie, dances in the locker room

Ovechkin_lucky_loonie


Canadian Press: May 20, 2008:
After Ilya Kovalchuk scored the winning goal in overtime, the Russians celebrated by chipping away at centre ice and unearthing a loonie that had been secretly planted there to bring the Canadians luck.

Alex Ovechkin kissed it repeatedly and passed it around to his teammates before a group of players tried to plant a pole with the Russian flag in the hole they had made.

The lucky loonie that was buried in the ice at Salt Lake City in 2002 ended up in the Hockey Hall of Fame but one can only assume the one from this world championship went back to Moscow on the Russian charter.

Update: From Slam!Sports blog by Stephen Knight, May 20, 2008:


Now that just seems wrong. Sure, the Russians won on a cheesy call, but they mounted a whale of a comeback and put themselves in position to win, so give them props for that. What seems downright humiliating is to have Ovechkin digging up the ice -- our ice -- and commandeering the lucky loonie. Has he no shame?

Obviously Ovechkin didn't mean to offend anyone, didn't want to publicize it, but it happened. He kissed the loonie for God's sake. I think Ovechkin is the only guy who Canadians would let it do. According to SovSport Ovechkin plans to wear the loonie on his chest.

Here's how the Canadians react:

Comment from: David Newland [Visitor]
Good for Ovechkin. That "lucky loonie" thing is WAY overdone. It was cool once, and that was in Salt Lake, when it was done by surprise, and became a charming story when we defeated the US on their home ice.

Since then it's become a boring little habit. And other teams rightly feel it is an irritation. As superstitious as athletes are, messing with their mojo when we're supposed to be their hosts is plain unsportsmanlike.

Ovechkin deserves the dollar.
21/05/2008 @ 09:24

Comment from: Jon Pressick [Visitor]
Couldn't agree with you more David!
On the flipside, maybe this will put some fire into the Canadian team for next year...
21/05/2008 @ 11:44



On this video Ovechkin shows all emotions, from almost crying to dancing, talking to Mom on a cell [Mom, we are the Champions! Woohoo!] and drinking champaine... :)

Fedorov and Fetisov pose for camera, these guys have been through this [Stanley Cup celebration in Detroit]

Legendary Russian coach Victor Tikhonov about Fedorov and Semin

Sport-Express, May 20, 2008:


Q.: What can you say about Sergei Fedorov?

Tikhonov: I simply do not have the words to describe his play! Nobody could expect that 38-year-old Sergei would be able to play so awesome, both in offense and in defence! I think that Fedorov is the great master who helped this team tremendously not only on ice, but also in the locker room because the younger players rubbed off Sergei's work ethic and followed him.

Q.: How does today's Fedorov differ from Fedorov debuted in your USSR team at the World Championship in 1989?

Tikhonov: Even when Sergei was 19 years old, it was clear that he will be a great master, an extra-class player. Of course he slowed down a bit, but it goes unnoticed because of his experience and wisdom. He reads the play in advance and sees all possible ways the opponent's offence is developing, and he is always at the right place.

Q. Alex Semin was another pleasant discovery...

Tikhonov: His game at the World Championship once again demonstrated that the National team's Coaches made a mistake a year ago.

[Semin was fired from the National team last year for being late to training camp]

Ovechkin's National team is greeted by new Russian President

Ovechkin's National team

The Russian National hockey team went to meet the President right from the airport Vnukovo upon arrival.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Alex texting to...

Katja texting to Alex? :)










Sportbox.ru: Congrats, Sasha! What do you feel now? Who is actually texting you right now?

Ovechkin:

All my friends, ton of my friends... Everybody, my family, my close friends, supported me...

I simply don't know what to say. This victory is for all Russian people, for our country.

[Talking into the camera and kissing the gold medal]
Guys, we are with you, this victory is for you! Finally we won the gold you were dreaming of, you were talking of, and we deserved it. We all love you.

Let's go, Russia! We are the Champions!

Ovechkin and his two best buddies talk

From IIHF.com, May 18, 2008


QUEBEC CITY – After Russia edged Canada 5-4 in overtime to win gold on Sunday, IIHF.com reporters caught up with players and coaches from both sides to get their thoughts and feelings.

Ilya Kovalchuk, Russia: This is great! We've been waiting for this for 15 years. It’s always great to win, but it’s a team effort, and we have a great group of guys here. The players, the coaches...everybody has been positive all the time. We felt a good pressure: we knew that I don’t know how many million people would be watching us. [For my winning goal], we have a power play, and Fedorov, he’s 38 years old, but he’s brought so much patience and intensity to the team, and he makes that great pass to me. Then, I was one-on-one with the goalie and I just shot it in. The [team’s] leaders trust us and we trust them. Now we’ll have a huge party - it’s vacation time now. We have a chartered plane to Russia tomorrow, and we’ll have a party there.

Alexander Ovechkin, Russia: I want to thank my mom and dad for always believing in me. This is a huge win for us, and I dedicate it to all the Russian fans. [kisses Kovalchuk on the cheek] I love him! We're the best in the world right now, we got the gold medal, and I think we deserved it. We played hard through the whole tournament. This gold medal is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me.

Andrei Markov, Russia: Everybody knows [Kovalchuk] is a great player and he’s got a great shot. He started to score at the right time. He won the game and it’s great for us. You know what? I think the whole team believed from the start to finish that we could win this game. We have a great team and great players. We believe in each other. [As for Evgeni Nabokov], he’s our best player. He’s the best goalie in the world. He did a great job for us. He was just unbelievable. It’s special for defencemen to play in front of him. You know, it’s not about whether you’re tired. It’s about what’s in your heart.


The Media All-Star Team 2008:

Goalkeeper: Evgeni Nabokov (RUS)
Defencemen: Mike Green (CAN), Tomas Kaberle (CZE)
Forwards: Dany Heatley (CAN), Alexander Ovechkin (RUS), Rick Nash (CAN)

Friday, May 16, 2008

Katja, Katyusha

What Martin Merk doesn't know is that Ovechkin's girlfriend's name is Katyusha...
Name: Екатерина = Ekaterina, Yekaterina Pronounciation: yeh-kah-tye-REE-nah
Nicknames: Катя = Katya(Katja), Катюша = Katyusha Pronounciation: KAH-tyah, kah-TYU-shah

By MARTIN MERK, IIHF.com, May 16, 2008:


The organizers in Quebec City seem to do everything that would make their traditional archrivals feel right at home. Each goal scored by the Russians is followed by a club version of the famous Russian folk song Katyusha. And it’s happened no less than 32 times now. The title of the song, which was composed in 1938, was later also bestowed upon rocket launchers. The lovely melody remains popular to this day, far beyond the former Iron Curtain. And now, the only rockets are the ones in red uniforms on the ice of the “Kolizey”, as the Russian national team has become something like the home team, with the Québécois their supporters.

The song is about a lonely girl, missing her true love, a soldier who’s far away from her: “Let him preserve the motherland, same as Katyusha preserves her love.” The time of “hockey soldiers” has been over for about twenty years, and it isn’t just the Red Army Choir’s version of the song that’s available now. Alexander Ovechkin and his friends are living in luxury hotels instead of barracks, and they’re not playing for only honour and the Motherland, but also for millions of dollars. And their Katyushas are actually with them instead of writing love letters while sitting at home.

Fans in Quebec City admire the former hockey soldiers and their not-quite-so-golden successors. They’re cheering for the thus-far most successful 2008 World Championship team on Quebec ice, forgetting about old political differences and whether it’s traitorous to applaud Canada’s traditional rivals, focused on the fascination of sport. Rossiya is present everywhere: on the ice, in the stands, in the tourist sites of Vieux-Quebec, in the hotspots of the Grande Allée.

Ovechkin is recognized everywhere, but maybe even more famous is Alexander Radulov, the former record-setting star of the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. He scored an impressive 207 points in his second season and is remembered everywhere he goes, two years after he left Quebec to make the NHL with the Nashville Predators. He’s brought back memories for the Québécois of the high art of Russian hockey that they saw in the old days. The speed, shots and unpredictability of the Katyusha weapons, the smoothness and skating abilities of Russian ice dancers like Katyusha Bobrova. And now, “Radu” is back with a bunch of high-calibre players from the East.

However, today could be the last day of the “Kolizey” flirtations between the Russian team and the enthusiastic crowds. They will cheer again and want to see Russia in the final against Canada. Then, should it happen, the love will wither away, the “Kolizey” will become the Colisée again. The Canadians will cheer for the Maple Leaf team just like in the old days while enjoying the clash of the two historically most successful hockey cultures. And the Russians will have to do without support here in the West. Far away from home, meanwhile, many Katyushas are hoping that Bykov’s squad will make the Motherland proud before coming back.

And the Québécois? They will hope to celebrate Canada’s title. And whatever happens, the international flair Russia’s shown on and off the ice will offer shining memories for a long while, much like Rendez-Vous ’87.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Alexander The Great wants his revenge

Alexander_Ovechkin_World_2008
Photo: IIHF/HHoF/Jukka Rautio

Alexander Ovechkin, disappointed after the semi-final loss to Finland in 2007, wants his revenge on Finland.

The game is on Friday, 16th at 13:00.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Alexander Ovechkin won the game for Russia with six seconds on the clock

Long time coming, Ovechkin finally scores big.

By RISTO PAKARINEN

QUEBEC CITY – Alexander Ovechkin did it all tonight, but most of all, he won the game for Russia with six seconds on the clock, beating Henrik Lundqvist, and making it 3-2 for Russia.

Sweden got an early lead just seven seconds after Dimitry Vorobyev’s penalty ended, on an extended powerplay play when Tony Martensson found Matias Weinhandl open in the slot. Weinhandl turned and banged a wrist shot past Evgeny Nabokov, in the battle of the Vezina candidates.

The intensity of the game didn’t go down after Douglas Murray checked Alexei Morozov out of the game after just ten minutes of play. Murray received a game misconduct for the hit, as did Sweden’s Anton Stralman and Russia’s Ilya Kovalchuk for a fight that ensued.

"I thought it was a clean hit, I hit him on the chest and shoulder area," said Douglas Murray who will now face an automatic one-game suspension.

At 32:14, Russia got its chance. Alexander Semin delivered the puck to Ovechkin. Lundqvist got a piece of the shot, but dropped the puck and Semin was there to tip it in.

In the last minute, Sweden struck: Jonas Frogren’s shot from the blueline bounced to the front of the net where Martensson was waiting to lift it in for 2-1.

In the first shift of the third period, Swedish acting captain Nicklas Backstrom tripped his Capitals linemate Ovechkin, giving Russia a chance to tie the game on powerplay but Semin’s shot in the post was the closest they got to beating Lundqvist.

That goal did come, a few minutes later, at 44.57, when Sergei Fedorov grabbed Denis Zaripov’s rebound, and dumped it behind Lundqvist.

Sweden seemed to be able to push back the Russians, until their big guns hit. Alexander Ovechkin got the winner, driving frustrated and disappointed Lundqvist to break his stick on the crossbar.

Russian goalie Evgeny Nabokov was happy to be at the World Championship.

"I heard the fans cheering. It was a great atmosphere today," he said.

"Ovechkin, Semin, and Sergei [Fedorov] are our leaders. They are the backbone of our team, and I think they even have to be better, if it’s possible. I don’t know if it’s possible. But "Ovie" was the best player for about seven months! So I think he’s kind of used to it."

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Team Needs Serg Protector


By Tarik El-Bashir, Washington Post, May 8, 2008 "Capitals Seek An Extension For Fedorov":

Washington Capitals management has not yet discussed next season's roster in detail, but the team is expected to pursue a contract extension with veteran Sergei Fedorov.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Sweden’s Nicklas Backstrom is already a veteran, expected to carry the team

By RISTO PAKARINEN, www.iihf.com, May 7, 2008 "Backstrom's back"

...Barely 18 years old, he made Swedish hockey history by being the youngest player ever to represent Tre Kronor in a World Championship.

Today, he’s the Swedish national team’s leading forward and biggest star, at least until goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist comes to town.

With no Forsberg, Zetterberg or Sundin on the Swedish roster, Backstrom finds himself being the go-to guy, the first line centre in this year’s tournament. He’s bulked up with both muscle and self confidence since 2006. As he should, after a solid regular season in the NHL, where he picked up 69 points in 82 games. In the playoffs, he scored four goals, and six points, as Washington pushed Flyers to seven games.

“Those seven playoff game were the most fun I’ve had this season, it was such a great experience,” he says, smiling,

“It was so fast, there were goals, hits, fights - and I’m not even a fighter - that just made it a great time to be a hockey player. Now I know what it’s like, and I want to get back again,” he says.

The season didn’t begin well for the Capitals as they only won six of their first 21 games. Coach Glen Hanlon – in Quebec as Belarus's coach – was let go, and Bruce Boudreau took over. He made some changes to the team’s system, and made things simpler, says Backstrom.

Boudreau got the team flying, and they lost only 17 of their last 60 games, finishing on the top of the Northeast division in the NHL. Youngsters Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin clicked on the ice, and off.

“‘Ovie’ knew what it was like, because he had been in my situation a year earlier, so he gave me good tips and pointers. He basically just encouraged me to be me and to believe in myself,” Backstrom says.

“But really, the biggest help was that Michael Nylander was there, he and his family helped me a lot with everything,” he says about his fellow Swede.

Team Sweden manager Mats Naslund won the Swedish Championship with Brynas together with Nicklas Backstrom’s father, Anders, in 1980 and has followed his teammate’s son’s career from the first steps.

“Of course, I watch him a little closer, having known Nicklas since he was a baby,” Naslund says.

And he likes what he sees.

“He’s become a complete player, he’s faster than last year, he can control the pace of the game by slowing it down when he wants to, or picking it up if he chooses to. You can also tell that the opponents know who he is, and respect him,” Naslund says.

The Washington Capitals players have been some of the brightest stars of the tournament so far. There’s Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Sergei Fedorov with Russia, Tomas Fleischmann with the Czech Republic, Cristobal Huet with France, and Backstrom with the Swedes, but Backstrom says he doesn’t think about the star power in Washington that much.

“Sure, Sergei Fedorov is a great player, and he has helped me tremendously by giving me little pointers and showing me how to do things. He is such a modest and kind person,” he says.

“But I don’t think about them as stars, I see them as friends.”

While many Swedish NHLers declined the invitation to Tre Kronor, the thought didn’t occur to Backstrom.

“I’m still young, so I have the energy. I’m actually surprised at how fresh I am. The season is long, and I thought I’d be more tired, but I feel good,” he says.

Backstrom has three goals, and four points, in the tournament so far.


Ovechkin got his first goal on the tournament vs. Denmark:

At 7:07 of the second period, Alexander Ovechkin extended Russia’s lead to 2-0 when he one-timed a Fedorov pass from the slot through Galbraith’s pads.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

World Championship Sports Network covering IIHF Hockey from Quebec


Photo by AP

2008 IIHF World Championship coverage from HockeyCanada.com

May 2-18 - IIHF Hockey World Championships - Quebec/Halifax, CAN WCSN.com

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The endorsements

By Rick Westhead, May 1, 2008 "Ovechkin parlays talent into endorsements"


On the heels of an MVP-calibre season in which he scored 65 goals, added 47 assists and led the Washington Capitals into an unlikely playoff berth, the 22-year-old's marketing representatives are close to announcing Ovechkin's first major sponsorship contracts.

In the works are deals with Ferrari and U.S. mobile phone company Verizon, says Konstantin Selinevich, who spearheads Ovechkin's off-ice business relationships. Selinevich says talks continue with others, including Coca-Cola. Just last month, the Wasserman Media Group, a powerful sports marketing agency in Los Angeles, was hired to buttress efforts to land endorsements for Ovechkin.

While the star already has sponsor agreements with Reebok's CCM brand, trading-card company Upper Deck and Hype, an energy drink, none has put much marketing muscle behind him. (Selinevich says that will change this summer when Reebok rolls out an Ovechkin clothing line.)

"It's been hard; in the past there have been some language-skills issues," says Selinevich, who has worked with Ovechkin since 2004. "Now, he's had such an unbelievable season that there is more interest, but we don't want him to be a walking billboard. You'll see some major deals this summer."

In Canada, companies typically covet Sidney Crosby, who demands about $500,000 a year from corporate partners, or pass altogether on the idea of a high-profile pitchman.

"I think there's a market for Alex," says Bob Stellick, a Toronto sports marketer. "His notoriety and awareness have increased dramatically. His enthusiasm and love for the game are what separate him from how people perceived some other players from Eastern bloc countries."

More on Selinevich from Washington Post, March 5, 2008:
Last year, Ovechkin's manager, Konstantin Selinevich, introduced him to Kapitonov, who has since relocated to the Washington area to work with Ovechkin for the foreseeable future.

By Tarik El-Bashir, Apr. 14, 2008 "Ovechkin, Backstrom and Green Cash In":

Here is a rundown of Ovechkin's bonuses:
He gets $984,200 in base salary and $2,850,000 in bonuses from the team. From the league, he'll earn $250,000 if he wins the Hart Trophy; $250,000 for winning the Richard Trophy; $150,000 for finishing first in points; $150,000 for finishing first in goals; $100,000 for being selected as a first team all-star; $100,000 for finishing first in points per game. If he wins the Hart, he'll earn a total of $4,834,200.