Happy New Year to Ovi, Caps and fans!

The New Year's Eve is the most popular and the most celebrated holiday in Russia. This is when Santa Clause (Grandpa Frost) brings the presents to the kids. Why the New Year's Eve, not Christmas? During Soviet era all the religions was suppressed, a ton of Orthodox and Catholic priests, imams, Buddhist monks and rabbis were sent to Gulags and never came back. Christmas was forbidden, besides Orthodox Christmas comes on January 7th, after the New Year's Eve.

Now it is different, but the New's Years Eve is still the most celebrated holiday in Russia.

I wish Alex and his family, his Caps friends and Russian friends all the best in New Year and may all Alex' wishes come true.

Fast, fast asleep are bear cubs, little hedgehogs, baby mice and human babies.
All, All are fast asleep till daybreak.
But a six-in-hand green carriage, But a six-in-hand, green carriage
Gallops by the nightly sky, In a lucid silvery quiet.

Six impetuous white horses,
All in green and scarlet bonnets,
Racing over the sleeping land.
A blackbird's up the board, in red.

You can't keep up with the carriage,
'Cause, inside it, Spring is hurrying.

Hush, don't you wake up, bear cubs,
Little hedgehogs, baby mice and human babies.
In the very, Very quiet early hour,
Horseshoe clank will wake you up.
You'll just look out of the window
Spring is raging in the street.

Fast, fast asleep are bear cubs,
Little hedgehogs, baby mice and human babies.
All, all are fast asleep till daybreak.
But a six-in-hand green carriage...

This is the version that most people just call: "ABBA around the piano". This video has been shown on many New Years Eve's in Sweden at midnight.

More info can be found on ABBAonTV


Alex Ovechkin's 26th and 2009 year's last goal.



156 Countries Sing Together for the Starbucks Love Project

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Ovechkin beats his Kazakh's bro, roughs up Boyle (update)

Yeah, I know, Caps lost 2:5 to Sharks thanks to Boudreau's excellent vision of team defense (esp. on the road) (and no way Mike Green could make it to team Canada with his defensive play), but at least Ovi had scored on his Kazakh's bro Nabby-okov. Hehe.

At the end of the game Ovi got really mad at Boyle's hitting him (video later) and almost got into the fight. Not that I want him to fight, that's how he can easily get injured, but it could be interesting. Luckily for Sharks there was not much time left for Ovi to do the damage.

Ovi speaks after the game vs Sharks (WashCaps TweetMic)

Tarik: I've never seen you dropping the gloves before except pre-season game vs Mike Richards...

Ovechkin: I tried to drop the gloves, but thanks God the ref was there, I didn't get hurt... :-)






Murray and Blake (6-foot-4, 225-pound) were shadowing Ovi all night long, what a nightmare, even for Ovi. Douglas Murray is 6-foot-3, 240-pound, 3 pounds heavier than Ovi (6-foot-2, 237-pound) and Ovi couldn't do any damage to him.


Murray's hit on Morozov (concussion) following the fight with Kovalchuk (WHC in Quebec)


Ovi's stats:
1 goal, total ice time 23:06, average shift 01:12 (way too long even for Ovi's standards), 3 shots on goal, 6 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 6 hits.



From Sharks Page:
In an interview on CSNBA's Chronicle Live, Alexander Ovechkin discussed scoring 2 goals on Evgeni Nabokov back in October (a 4-1 Caps win), it was the first time he scored against the San Jose Sharks. "It is a pretty good feeling when you score on any team, especially when I was a little kid my favorite team was San Jose," Ovechkin told Greg Papa. "I was nervous when I played against them, but I am happy I scored. Nabokov is a great goalie, and a good friend of mine, I am pretty happy when I scored against him."



David Pollak on the San Jose Sharks, Dec. 31, 2009:

Early in the game he leveled Boyle against the boards just before the first Sharks goal and later it looked as if the two of them might actually start throwing.

“I saw him coming,” Boyle said of that first period hit from Ovechkin. “I’ve played against him enough. You’ve got to take the hit to make the play.”

Murray, who was out with the flu the last time the Sharks played Washington, had nothing but praise for Ovechkin after the game:

“He’s a great player, exciting to play against and he keeps you on your toes the whole time. He always does different things. He doesn’t really have any patterns to his game and he really keeps you in the game.

“He’s plays hockey the way it’s supposed to be played, and I think he’s great for this league and hockey in general. He’s great for the league and hockey in general.”

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Ovechkin, Caps on Backstrom (two years ago)

From our blog's field reporter Emily:

We're hopping into the Wayback Machine to March of 2007, as the Swedish media juggernaut Aftonbladet dispatched a reporter to Washington to take a look at Nicklas Backstrom's new hometown. He met with team owner Ted Leonsis, former Caps head coach Glen Hanlon and also with a hopeful, somewhat impatient, and oh-so-young Alexander Ovechkin. He wrote a really nice article that captures a little of Ovi's passion and a lot of the spirit of the Capitals as they focused on the rebuild. And I love his tiny little good-natured dig at Americans and their lack of umlauts.


Sportbladet Mats Wennerholm in conversation with Washington's star Alexander Ovechkin. Photo: Jimmy WIXTRÖM

By Mats Wennerholm, Aftonbladet, 2007-03-12:
Here is your new home, Bäckis. And the entire Washington Capitals are waiting. We have barely had time to mention that we are from Sweden before the superstar Alexander Ovechkin asks the question that all of Washington wants to be answered:

"Backstrom will come next season? Tell him we need him."

We went to Washington to describe Nicklas Bäckström's new home and we were met by a club who really dreams to get the Swede next season.

It may sound like an exaggeration.

But it is not.

The Washington Capitals are building for the future and already have two of the biggest talents in the entire NHL, Russians Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.

Nicklas Bäckström - or Backstrom as he is called in a country where there never was a few dots over a and o - is the third link in the future of the franchise where the goal is to win the Stanley Cup.

Alexander Ovechkin is the greatest poster name in the entire NHL this season. But he is not a spoiled diva and he has an eye on the world outside. And especially the hockey world that belongs to the Washington Capitals.

"Yes, I was there when Washington drafted Backstrom and I was the one who pulled the sweater over his head. This was the only time we met. But I have followed him and think he could be ready any time from now. I really hope that he will be here next season. But is he doing well?", Ovechkin's almost pleading.

It is easy to understand. Washington is already gone from Stanley Cup playoffs this season, and Ovechkin knows what is missing, a real star is in desperate need of a skilled center. Make an NHL quiz and ask who are Kris Beech, Brian Sutherby and Jiri Novotny and only the most avid NHL geeks could answer. But this is Washington's current lack of quality centers.

We walk down the narrow corridor leading from the ice to the dressing room inside the Verizon Center. Washington's home ground is located inside the city center and only a few blocks to the White House and all the sights. The players come here in their luxury cars, turning down into the underground garage and take a special elevator directly up to the locker room.

Most of them live in the suburb of Arlington where the newly built training rink is located. A unique creature that has been built on top of a seven-story parking garage right next to a large shopping center. The players just need to drive in their cars and on up to the seventh floor and basically get straight out on the ice. It is already considered to be the most elegant fitness facilities in the entire NHL.

But back to the hall in the Verizon Center. The walls are decorated with pictures of the former Washington stars and there is unusually large number of familiar faces for a club that is hardly known to have had a lot of Swedish stars. A young Calle Johansson in the battle with an opponent, the cheering Ulf Dahlén. And also the current Swedish federation captain, Bengt-Ake Gustafsson's big poster in the hallway. And his young look shows how quickly the years go by.

While we are studying Bengt-Ake's babyface, the door accross the hall opens and Washington coach Glen Hanlon joins us and says, "He is one of the best and most respected players who were here in Washington. There you see, when you see him hanging there. One of the best centers that the team had."



How about another good one?
Hanlon: Yes. We hope so. I would've liked to have Nicklas Backstrom already this season, but he chose to remain in Sweden. I can understand him and maybe he did right. It's a big shift to get to the NHL, especially for a nineteen year-old from Europe. But I hope he comes here next season."\

Do you have a plan for him if he comes?
Hanlon: Of course. He won't come here to play on the fourth line. He'll get a lot ice time and will play with the best.

You mean Alexander Ovechkin?
Hanlon: Well, I'm more well-contained in that he will play with Alexander Semin. Both he and Ovechkin are left forwards. As I see it today, he would fit perfectly with Semin. [23-year-old Alexander Semin had a very good season and has 33 goals so far, only six goals behind Ovechkin. Semin debuted in Washington as a 19-year-old in the 2003-04 season, but didn't thrive and returned to Russia.] That's why I can understand why Backstrom stayed in Sweden this season. Semin was perhaps a bit too young. He was homesick, he was not ready. But I believe and hope that Backstrom will be ready to take the step in the next season.

What can you say about Swedish players?
Hanlon: I have only positive experiences. I was a goalie in Vancouver for many years and got to know Thomas Gradin, Lars Molin, Lasse Lindgren. All three of them are amazing hockey players and good teammates.


Washington's majority owner Ted Leonsis arrives. An IT billionaire who stands for the new NHL, and many want to see him in a leading position for the entire NHL. He constantly tries to promote hockey and make the NHL clubs as open as the Washington Capitals.

We meet him down at the locker room after another game loss, but just as open and friendly as always. And whenever we mention Nicklas Backstrom he is shining up even more.

"A fantastic player. In my eyes he is the best player in the world not playing in the NHL. I really hope he comes here next year. We'll take good care of him," said Leonsis.

When Ovechkin came to Washington did he stay at home of your general manager George McPhee?
Leonsis: Yes, we care about our players. Ovechkin was often at my house and had dinner with us at the beginning. We will take as good care of Backstrom. We want nothing more than that he'll like it here. I have a Swedish wife, her grandparents emigrated from Dalarna. It's not so far from Backstrom's home, isn't it?"

Oh yeah, it is not. The table is set for you, Bäckis.

A few notes on this article - I was looking through the Swedish press for stories on Nicky's olympic spot, and found this really nice piece. While yes, it is focussed on Nick, I really liked Ovi's attitude and can't pass up that picture either. Since they will be paired for most of their pro careers, I think this piece works for the Ovi archives as well.

Reporting live from Washington DC, I'm Emily.

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Players of the next decade: Ovechkin, Rodgers, James and Mauer

Emily: Forget the athletes of the last decade. Alex is the athlete of the NEXT decade...


Dec. 30 edition of 'Sporting News Today':
As 2009 comes to a close, Sporting News experts predict which athletes will rule their sports in the next 10 years.

NHL: The case for Alex Ovechkin
His age in 2019: 34

His team in the teens: In 2008, Ovechkin signed a 13-year contract extension with the Capitals. He's not going anywhere.

Player of the Decade credentials: Ovechkin will contend for multiple Stanley Cups, not to mention a gold medal in the 2014 Winter Olympics on Russian ice at Sochi. His 60-goal potential, rock star persona and deal with marketing powerhouse IMG will skyrocket his popularity beyond hockey.

NFL: The case for Aaron Rodgers
His age in 2019: 36

His team: The Packers. They said so-long to Brett Favre to make room for Rodgers. He is their franchise guy.

NBA: The case for LeBron James
His age in 2019: 35

His team(s) in the teens: The flirtation with the Knicks has helped create 2010 drama, but he won't be leaving his hometown Cavs.

MLB: The case for Joe Mauer
His age in 2019: 36

His team in the teens: The Twins will keep their hometown hero at home by giving him a contract that covers most of the decade.

more...

H/t to Emily.

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Ovechkin on Captaincy

December 30th, 2009
Ovi talks about the captaincy (at the very end) and it sounds like he is ready. He leads the team on the ice since his very first year in the NHL and now he is ready to lead it on and off the ice as well.

On his English, "It's still not perfect, but the guys understand me. It's the most important thing."

After this interview it will be very disappointing if Ovechkin won't be chosen as a Captain.

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Malkin, Gonchar on Olympics

Behind the enemy lines:
By Jason Seidling, Penguins.nhl.com:

Malkin says he will be ready no matter who head coach Slava Bykov surrounds him with, although fans from all around the world will clamor to combine the potential all-world trio of Malkin, the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers.

“I want to play with Ovechkin,” Malkin said. “We have played together before. … I have also played with Kovalchuk before. We will see what the lines will be. It doesn’t matter who I will play with I will be ready.”

By Seth Rorabaugh, Empty Netters:

Would a potential line of Malkin, Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk be one of the best of all time:
"There was the (Alexander) Mogilny-(Sergei) Fedorov-(Pavel) Bure line for a very short time. Have to remember the 'KLM' line, (Vladimir) Krutov, (Igor) Larionov and (Sergei) Markov Makarov [Edit - tj]. Those three (Kovalchuk, Malkin, Ovechkin) have the same level of talent. If (that line is formed) it's going to be something special."

KLM line played a long time ago, so forgetting IIHF Hall of Famer Makarov is somewhat forgivable. How about remembering that Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are both playing left wing? Malkin can play right wing, who's going to play center? Ovechkin? LOL.

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Ovechkin's post-game

Ovi, Backie and others speak to media after the game.

Tarik:

Ovechkin, meanwhile, moved one goal behind Marian Gaborik for the NHL lead, despite missing eight games because of injury and suspension. The two-time MVP is also just four points behind Joe Thornton in the points race.

Ovechkin already leads the league in plus minus at plus-21.

"We understand each other a lot and you can see how we control the puck in the offensive zone and we feel pretty good and nobody can stop us," Ovechkin said of the top line's performance tonight.

washcaps:

- Ovechkin's third straight 3 point night

- That's Alex Ovechkin's first goal against Martin Brodeur since 12/28/05, his third vs. Brodeur in his career.

NateEwell:

- Ovi post-suspension: 7g-10a in 9 GP, 2 PIM

- Ovi has 1946 shots thru 4.5 seasons. No other player has had that many in his first 6 seasons.

HockeyReference.com:

1. Alex Ovechkin (after yesterday's game) - 1951 shots on goal
2. Wayne Greatzky - 1944
3. Marcel Dionne - 1915

The 41st game of the season, which will mark 4.5 seasons will be on January 2nd, 2010, vs. LA Kings, 3 more games to go. Ovi will end up with something like 1965 shots on goal for 4.5 seasons.

When you beat any kind of Gretzky's record, it is something.

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Semin needs to learn to speak fluent Ovechkin

Tarik asks him the first question and Semin immediately answers in Russian, "I haven't sign anything yet."

I, like, wow, Semin didn't need a translator! And then Tarik continues, "But you've agreed on the terms." Semin either pretends he didn't understand or he really didn't get it, but he says in Russian, "What are they talking about?" LOL.

But eventually I've come to a conclusion that his command of English is really basic, and that he barely understands the questions.

Now, how this guy would understand Bruce Boudreau in the heat of the game? He won't. That's the reason why he takes stupid penalties and doesn't react like Ovechkin did in the game against Edmonton. As you remember Boudreau kept both of them in a locker room before the third period and delivered a message:

"I don't like yelling at [Ovechkin], but sometimes you see guys who look tired and down and they need a little boost," Boudreau said. "I tried to give it to him and challenged him. I started him right off the bat. Instead of saying, 'Woe is me, why is the coach yelling at me?' he took up the challenge and said, 'I'll show you,' and went out there and got three points in the third and led us to a victory."

Semin was right there, but he didn't get it.

Tarik:

Alexander Semin's one year contract extension is worth $6 million, I'm told.

"It's what the player preferred," GM George McPhee said. "We discussed a number of options, but this is the way he wanted to go for now. Which is fine with us because it gives us flexibility going forward."

When Semin will learn English and that will start with giving the interviews in English, he will be even a better player. It happened to many Russians in the NHL before. The question is, will this happen in Washington or elsewhere?

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NJ 1, Caps 4

Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin looks for the puck against New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnny Oduya, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Washington.

Ovi's stats:
1 goal, 2 assists, +3, Total ice 18:58, average shift 00:59, 5 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 2 shots missed, 2 hits.

Unusually low ice time and unusually short ice shifts for the first line of Backie, Ovi and Semin. That tells the story: Caps took it after Ovi scored the first goal and squeezed NJ oxygen supply.

Backie had 1 goal, 2 assists, +3 and 3 hits, one more than Ovechkin.

Team Sweden, team Russia 2, team Canada (Brodeur) 0.

Neuvy was downright excellent, his magic glove was dominant. What a nice competition for years to go between Neuvy and Varly.

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Ovechkin about the Olympic team roster and tonight's game vs. NJ

Ovechkin talks about Olympic team roster announcement.


Ovi, Backis and Boudreau talk about the game vs. NJ Devils.

What's interesting, for Ovi and Backstrom last game vs. Sabres was like to play against US Olympic team. This time it's team Canada's Brodeur. They've solve Ryan Miller, at least for one game, would be very interesting if they conquer Martin Brodeur.


Michal Neuvirth will start against NJ tonight. I agree with Bruce, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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Wow, Sergei Fedorov drops the gloves!

Here's what Sergei Fedorov did this Christmas!



Sergei Fedorov vs. Roman Derlyuk, KHL, December 25, 2009.


Sergei Fedorov wanted to avenge for his brother Fedor Fedorov, reports SportBox.ru.

The official site of the KHL:

The fight between 4 players of each team broke out in the third period of the game HC MVD - Magnitogorsk (2:0). Magnitogorsk forwards Sergei and Fedor Fedorov and MVD Roman Derlyuk (defenseman) and Matt Ellison (forward) got into the skirmish.

After the referee's intervention the players, who took part in a brawl, were fined with Fedor Fedorov receiving 35 penalty minutes, his brother Sergei - 25 minutes. Derlyuk was penalized for 14 minutes and Ellison for 10 minutes.

Canadians should be beware of Sergei Fedorov in Vancouver, he trained under Fedor Emelianenko in mixed martial arts this summer. :-) I think even Brashear won't be able to stop him now. :-)

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Varlamov: It's Christmas today, the whole America stands on its head!

By Ekaterina Baleva, SportBox.ru, Dec. 25, 2009:

The Washington net's guard Semyon Varlamov, included in the preliminary roster of Russian Olympic team, said that he got a pleasant surprise from the Coaches of the national team.



"What can I say, a great gift!" Semyon could not hide his joy. "It's Christmas today, the whole America stands on its head!"

In Vancouver, you will be the third goalkeeper. Do you think you will have a chance to go on the ice?
Everything will depend on the coaches. Of course I know that we have two main goalkeepers: Ilya Bryzgalov and Evgeni Nabokov, and I'll help them as much as I possibly can. I don't want to think about something bad, I mean the injuries, but we all remember the World Cup in Quebec where the team lost all three goalkeepers. It was not a very pleasant situation, well, it's good that Misha Biryukov helped... In general I will be ready for anything, as long as we can get the title of Olympic champions.

What has surprised you in the declared roster?
The main surprise was when I saw my name in the list. My dream came true, I'm going to the Olympics! But there are two more months to Vancouver, you have to show yourself, get in shape after the injury and show a good game. Unfortunately I missed two weeks, but the most important thing is to be healthy and the groin must be healed. The day after tomorrow I plan to go on the ice. As of getting in shape, it won't take long. I was working out in the gym, so just two workouts will be enough for me to play.

Nabokov is seriously preparing for Vancouver, he even ordered a new mask with the Russian theme!
I also want to order a new goalie mask. I don't know yet what I will put on my mask, but I still have time to think. Of course everything will be done in the colors of team Russia. I think by my arrival to Vancouver it will look beautiful! (laughs)

Both Bryzgalov and Nabokov are in excellent shape now. Do you think it's too early, given that the peak should be at the Olympics?
No, absolutely not. Some goalies get in shape at the start of the season, some do it during the season. I am sure that Evgeny and Ilya will arrive to the Olympics in perfect shape, they both are the top goalkeepers in their teams, they are constantly playing and it generates the confidence.

In the fight for the third place you beat goalkeeper Alexander Eremenko. The choice in your favor is apparently made with an eye on the Sochi-2014. Are you aware of responsibility?
Of course I am aware. But I think that now Russia is producing a very many promising goalkeepers. The main thing that the guys should work hard and have the professional coaches who would help them to improve their skills. I know that Russians are closely watched by the scouts from the NHL. I even know for whom in particular and it is very cool! I think in the near future there will be more of our compatriots over the pond. Right now there are only four Russian goalies in the entire league, this is not enough. Especially when you compare it to Finns and Swedes who mass-produce awesome goalkeepers. One have to admit, we are still a little behind in terms of the school of goalie's development. Even Canadians recognize that at the moment they are at this point weaker than the Finns. And I agree with them; the Finnish hockey school [for goalies] is the number one in the world today.

Will it be the main Finnish asset in Vancouver? After all, as they say, the goalkeeper is a half the team?
This is a trump card, but not only for the Finns. A whole lot will depend on the goalkeepers at the Olympics, and it is a huge responsibility. Now the goalkeeper is not even half of the team, it is a little more, especially in crucial games. It was a huge burden for Nabokov and Bryzgalov in Quebec and in Bern, they showed a confident game in the semifinals and finals, and this was the key to success. And the older I get, the more clearly I understand it.

Russians are the double world champions, could it become too much of a burden to our players?
We face the major challenge to confirm the status of the World's strongest team. Of course, we'll think about it before the Olympics, and perhaps even before the games. But when you go on the ice you should forget about it, you should concentrate on the game and just do your job. I don't think that someone will have jim-jams: we have grown, all guys played at the Olympics and at the world championships, plenty of experience.

And after all for whom it will be more difficult, for us or for Canadians?
It will be equally difficult for both teams. We have very painfully clicked on the Canadians nose, twice in a row, after defeating them at the world championships. Especially in Quebec, in the Centennial year of hockey, it was something! But we have to think about our fans, how many years we haven't won the Olympics? The main thing now is to live up to Vancouver without injuries and other problems.

Source: news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/Hokkej/Team_Russia/spbnews_Semen-Varlamov-Pomogu-chem-smogu


Ovechkin and Semin are also in the Olympic team Russia roster, no surprise here.

Photo image courtesy "Emily's archives".

Ovechkin leads Russia's fight for gold:

"No doubt, they [Canada] would be very motivated playing on home ice and also gunning for revenge," Ovechkin said, referring to Russia beating their arch-rivals in the final of the last two world championships. "But we'll be just as hungry as them."

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All-Decade NHL team by NHL.com

You probably have seen "All-Decade NHL team by NHL.com". No surprise here, Ovechkin is in the top unit again along with Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla in offense backed by Brodear, Lidstrom and Niedermayer.

Compared to "All-Decade NHL team by Michael Farber of SI.com", the top unit is missing Jaromir Jagr who is replaced by Jarome Iginla. I think Michael Farber is more accurate; at some point Jagr was the best in the NHL. Iginla? Very close, but not that dominant. But Ovechkin might disagree with me, for him Iginla was second to Owen Nolan when Ovi was growing up.

Alex Ovechkin. Teams: Washington (2005-present):

Many players are good. A few are great. Alex Ovechkin is unique.

From Oct. 5, 2005, the day he burst onto the NHL scene with a pair of goals in the Washington Capitals' 3-2 victory over Columbus, Ovechkin has played the game with the kind of skill and panache that sets him apart from his peers.

Ovechkin has helped turn the Capitals from an NHL also-ran into a contender that has become the toast of Washington -- and perhaps the toughest ticket in town. No one in the NHL scores goals with his flair -- and volume (his 65-goal performance in 2007-08 was the most by anyone in more than a decade). Perhaps more important is that while other stars seem to work at playing hockey, Ovechkin appears to enjoy every second he's on the ice, whether it's firing another puck past a goaltender, running over an opponent or celebrating another goal or Washington victory.

One thing he wants to celebrate is a Stanley Cup.

Alex Ovechkin:

"I don't want to say I'm going to score how many goals. I just want to win. That's all. Personal stats are good, but I'm always going to first think of the team. It has always been that way."

With three 50-goal seasons, three First-Team All-Star nods and 200-plus goals before his 25th birthday, don't be surprised if Ovechkin is also on the All-Decade team 10 years from now as well.

Alex Ovechkin of playing in the NHL:

"I just have a dream and I followed this dream all the time. I don't spend much time with my friends. I just spent all my time in the hockey arena. When I was a kid I had a great time, but still I had to do all the time to be who I am right now."

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Ovechkin facts

OK, fellas, let's start it... :-) Can you contribute on the facts like this one?

Ted's Take:

"Ovie’s hits are so devastating that even Chuck Norris won’t put on skates."

The Onion:

"Alex Ovechkin is so quick that he gets two attempts on one-timers."

"Alex Ovechkin speaks fluent Ovechkin."

The most profane word from Ovechkin language for all NHL goalies was popularized by Sidney Crosby.

Alex Ovechkin makes Chuck Norris cry


TJ:

- "Alex Ovechkin speaks fluent Ovechkin. When he scores, goalies use 'O' word from Ovechkin language."

- "Alex Ovechkin once altered Einstein's Universe. There's no speed limit in Ovechkin's space/time continuum."

Please send me email or leave a comment with Ovechkn facts/quotes and I'll publish the best.

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Ovechkin's Dynamo buddy Nikita Kashirsky

Ovi's childhood friend and his house sitter is making waves of his own...

Nikita about Ovechkin:

“The first year was tough for him,” Kashirsky said. “He really didn't know a lot of people. We were close, so I would always come over when I had a break to visit him.”

By Lindsay Kramer - NHL.com, Dec. 22, 2009"

South Carolina Stingrays rookie forward Nikita Kashirsky had all the ingredients of a good hockey player in the making from an early age.

A dash of creativity in the bloodlines? Check. Kashirsky's mother, Marina, is an artist and a fashion designer.

Game sense, both detailed and big-picture? Got it. His father, Sergei, is a former goalie and now works as a hockey agent.

Superstar-to-be childhood friend who sets a standard to pursue every day of your career? Covered there, too. Kashirsky has been best buddies with fellow Moscow native Alexander Ovechkin since they both were barely old enough to hold a stick.


Kashirsky made an immediate dent at Norwich, going 19-23 as a freshman. Was it the skills or was it the tools? Kashirsky used to wow his teammates when Ovechkin hooked him up with sticks that had the exact same curve design he used.

"It was pretty exciting. A lot of guys were like, that's insane you're friends with him," Kashirsky said.

Getting some lumber from Ovechkin and then using it like he does are two entirely separate matters. In temperament and talent, Kashirsky has always tried to watch what his friend does and then mold whatever he can to his own game.

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Ovechkin is the second most influential person in the world of hockey

The Hockey News’ annual list of 100 People of Power and Influence according to SovSport (source: www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/362526):
1 (3). Garry Bettman
2 (2). Alexander Ovechkin
3 (5). Bill Daily
4 (1). Sidney Crosby
7 (40). Chris Chelios
10 (9). Alexander Medvedev (KHL's President)
11 (-). Ted Leonsis

Apparently they got a bootleg copy of December 28, 2009 issue of THN or something :-) because Google in English comes empty.


1 (3).На первом месте расположился комиссар НХЛ ГАРИ БЭТТМАН:
«Управляет лигой во время финансового кризиса. Выиграл судебную тяжбу с Джимом Балсили, и НХЛ спасла «Финикс» от переезда». В прошлом году Бэттман занял третье место.
2 (2). АЛЕКСАНДР ОВЕЧКИН
«Один из ярчайших игроков мира, заставляющий фанатов вскакивать с кресел. Универсальный хоккеист, понимающий, как важно делать шоу на площадке. Харизматичная личность, заявляющая без стеснения, что уедет на Олимпиаду-2014 в Сочи, даже если его не отпустит НХЛ».
3 (5). БИЛЛ ДЭЙЛИ
4 (1). СИДНИ КРОСБИ
7 (40). КРИС ЧЕЛИОС
10 (9). АЛЕКСАНДР МЕДВЕДЕВ
11 (-). ТЕД ЛЕОНСИС
«Владелец «Вашингтона», продвинутый человек, который даже ведет блог. Его команда умно проводила драфт в последние годы, взяв Овечкина, Грина и других звезд».

In the Dec. 28 issue of The Hockey News:

• It’s our annual People of Power and Influence issue. We’ve ranked the who’s who of hockey, from players to agents to league executives to equipment suppliers. We even analyze a few of their signatures, to further understand just who these powerbrokers are. Find out who the biggest mover and shaker in hockey is.

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Sabres 2, Caps 5. Wow, what a great present on December 23 in Washington, DC to all of us from Caps and Ovi! :-)


WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 23: Nicklas Backstrom celebrates with Alex Ovechkin after scoring in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

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Ovi got 2 assists and a beautiful slap shot goal, +1, 20:54 total ice time, 01:09 for a shift, 5 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 2 missed, 4 hits.


Ovie, Greenie, Backy and Neuvirth talk to media after the game



We've got a team now, not just one man team like before: Backis with 2 goals, Green with 1 goal and 1 assist, Morrison with a goal, Semin with 2 assists and Fleischmann gave Caps two man advantage.

What else do you want for Christmas? :-)


Vancouver, Dec. 18, 2009


Alyonka and Diana Larionovs singing a song on "That's What Christmas Means To Me". And Ovie holds the sign that says that he wants Moscow for Christmas [Тебя :-) Москва]. Apparently they asked Ovechkin not what Christmas means to him, but what he wants for Christmas.

Believe it or not, but according to Igor Larionov's interview in Sovetsky Sport last summer, Diana roots for Canada, she was born in Vancouver. Alyonka was born in Russia.

It's gonna be tough for them to watch Olympic games in Vancouver.




Anyhow, one more time:

"Merry Christmas!"

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Хай живе Радянська Україна!

That's all that I know in Ukrainian. :-) Wait, "Хай живе Зубрус і Овечкін!"

By Tarik El-Bashir, Capitals Insider, Dec. 22, 2009:

The Caps hosted a pee wee team from the Ukraine at practice today. McPhee gave them a guided tour of the facility, and then they got to meet Alex Ovechkin, which, judging from their smiles, was likely the highlight of their young lives.



Former Caps center Dainius Zubrus paid for their trip to the States. For Zubrus, it was his way of giving back. An NHL player paid for his youth team to come over from Lithuania when he was a youngster, McPhee said, and the experience stuck with him.

By Michelle Scalise, CSNwashington.com, Dec. 22, 2009 "Ukrainian Team Meets Their Hero, Alex Ovechkin":

The Ukranian youth hockey team is called Druzhba-78 [Friendship-78]. Hi zhiveh Zubik and Ovi!

An update from Marge:

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Hangin' with Ovie

Ovechkin on a cover of The Hockey News (h/t to Japer's Rink)




Win a signed Alex Ovechkin jersey!


Previous covers with Ovechkin:

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