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Ovechkin Appears in United Russia Lavrov Video Before Elections

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 12:36 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Ovechkin Prioritizes NHL

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin appeared in a United Russia video with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of Russia’s September 18-20 parliamentary elections.
Team officials said Russian officials invited Ovechkin to the video and emphasized his focus stays on the upcoming NHL season.
Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer with 929 goals, will play his 22nd season.
His 2026-27 contract includes a $1 million salary, $4.75 million games-played bonus and $3.25 million signing bonus.

Left

Astronaut Urges Ban

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin appeared in a United Russia video with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before the Sep 18-20 elections.
The video sparked public calls to ban Ovechkin from the NHL and to impose visa restrictions, with astronaut Terry Virts urging a ban.
Vedomosti, a Russian business newspaper, first published the campaign video.
In 2017 Ovechkin founded the “Putin Team” movement to support Vladimir Putin’s presidential bid.

Blindspot

Former astronaut Terry Virts, citing Ovechkin’s participation in the United Russia video, urged a visa ban and suspension from the NHL, joining other commentators who called for his removal from the Capitals.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1972 the eight-game Summit Series saw Canada defeat the Soviet Union 4-3; the Soviet squad, coached by Anatoly Tarasov and backed by $2 million, was praised by Politburo member Leonid Brezhnev as socialist proof. Decades later, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin’s appearance with United Russia minister Sergey Lavrov prompted U.S. visa-ban pleas from astronaut Terry Virts, showing how hockey still fuels geopolitical tension.

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Ovechkin Prioritizes NHL

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin appeared in a United Russia video with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of Russia’s September 18-20 parliamentary elections.
Team officials said Russian officials invited Ovechkin to the video and emphasized his focus stays on the upcoming NHL season.
Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer with 929 goals, will play his 22nd season.
His 2026-27 contract includes a $1 million salary, $4.75 million games-played bonus and $3.25 million signing bonus.

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