“I still doubt that I can pass Gretzky.” Ovechkin – about the record, health and son

Alexander Ovechkin was invited to the NHL All-Star Game nine times during his career.

True, the captain of “Washington” did not always reach the star party. For example, last year Ovechkin was chosen by fans to participate in the show, but at the last moment the Russian entered the covid protocol. Instead of Alexander the Great, his teammate Tom Wilson flew in for the match.

Now, however, Ovechkin has arrived in Florida, and with the whole family.

“McDavid seemed to come from another planet”

– Alexander, what is your overall impression of this All-Star Game?

– Yes everything is fine. My son Sergei likes it, and so do I. It’s very cool here!

– Serezha constantly circles around the hockey players here, and it’s clear that he loves this party.

Yes, he knows many people by sight. But I think he’ll be even more excited tomorrow when we go to the team locker room and see all the guys. It will be very cool for me and for Sergey.

– You were in a star match with Connor McDavid. What do you think of him as a player? Do you like her style?

“You know, someone once said a funny thing about him, that he was from another planet. How he plays hockey, how he controls the puck, his speed. It’s interesting to watch. And he’s great in the sense that he can put on a show. And not in one season, he does it consistently from season to season. And that’s cool.

– Does it impress you that much?

– Yes, it’s just some kind of madness, how easily he does it. And it looks like it could be repeated. But the fact is that is not the case. It’s a great moment for fans and hockey. Children look at it and are attracted to our game.

Do you remember how Bobby Hull played?

No, I’ve never seen him play.

“He passed away recently.

Yes, a friend of mine watched the news and immediately told me about it. Of course, this was very sad news.

“Why am I so strong? Thank you parents!”

– You are the second sniper in league history (812 goals), ahead of only Wayne Gretzky (894). When did you start thinking you could outrun it?

I still doubt that is possible. As I have said many times, I just go out to play match after match. I live for today.

– You found yourself again with Sidney Crosby on the same team in a star match. What does this moment represent for you? And you’re surprised to still be neck and neck on the list of the NHL’s all-time leading scorers?

He still enjoys playing hockey. I also appreciate that. I’m sure when he and I are done with our careers, we’ll find time to have a few beers together and discuss what’s happened to us over the past 15-16 years.

I think it’s great for the game itself, for generations past and future, that you can see such an old rivalry in the NHL, such a battle between two forwards, two organizations. It promotes the game well.

– Will you and Crosby enter the skill contest tomorrow, when you beat the outs one to zero on the goalie?

“Yes, Sid and I have already discussed this. And what will happen on the ice – you will see

Are you planning some kind of surprise?

– I’m not going to reveal all the cards now. If it works, that’ll be pretty cool. But let’s see.

What is your relationship with Crosby? Indeed, between “Washington” and “Pittsburgh” for many years there has been a difficult cut.

– You know, we are good friends, we can always call each other. If he approaches a historic mark or conquers that height, I call him or write a text with congratulations. In our first two years in the NHL, we had a different relationship. We were young, but now we are older.

– In the past few years, you haven’t come to the NHL All-Star Game. Was it a shame to miss such a vacation?

– Yes. Unfortunately, last year I was sick with covid, so I couldn’t come. But this year I came here, my family is here, the eldest son Sergey has matured a bit. And he is very happy to be able to run in the locker room, see all the players. Yes, I really like it here.

– Like any child, Sergey asks a lot of questions?

“Yeah, he already started bombarding me with questions when we drove up. But he’s a little boy, he loves all these times here. Like all children, he is delighted.

– How do you manage to show such stability in the goals scored from one year to the next? You’re almost fifty bucks again for the season.

“The most important thing is to stay healthy. Secondly, you have to be in good shape. There are a lot of small details to consider. Every nuance can be important.

– At the same time, you always play very hard at hockey and you almost never miss games! Why are you so strong?

– Well, I don’t know. I have to thank my parents!

– Are you surprised to score so many goals every year? Is this a surprise for you?

But that’s my job, right? You do your job and I do mine.

– Not all players can do such a job equally well and consistently from year to year.

Well, it’s not my fault!

“My son is crazy about hockey”

– When you came for the last stellar weekend in 2017, then you were not yet a father. How special is it that you are now in Florida with your two young sons?

We spend time with family. Sergey is very fond of hockey and he accompanied me to the media day. He walks everywhere, takes pictures with the players. He is delighted, I am delighted, everyone is delighted.

Who’s your son’s favorite here? Imagine yourself in his place as a fan.

“Crosby, McDavid, of course McKinnon. He’s just mad about hockey.

– What can you say about the retro form of “Washington”, in which the team recently played several games?

“These might be the coolest jerseys in Capitals history. Fans and players love them. It’s a shame we can’t play them anymore and it was only for a few games.

– Who is Serezha’s favorite player, if you don’t take daddy? Isn’t he from Washington?

– I don’t know. I would say Nicholas Obe-Kubel, number 96 from Washington.

What about some of the other teams? Maybe these are players who came in for a stellar weekend?

“He likes Crosby, McDavid. He constantly compares them to me.