Alex Ovechkin gets ripped to shreds by Larry Brooks of the NY Post

Over the weekend, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin passed Gordie Howe to become the second-greatest goal-scorer in NHL history. As he gets closer to Wayne Gretzky s 894 career mark, many reporters like Larry Brooks of the New York Post, are refusing to celebrate Ovechkin.

In his latest column, Brooks the Capitals’ captain’s “unabashed [Vladimir] Putin support clouds his pursuit of NHL history.”

“It is impossible to celebrate Ovechkin the man, who for years not only publicly aligned himself with the genocidal Russian president Vladimir Putin and his policies, but attempted to lead a movement in his support as late as 2017.

It is impossible to become invested in this race for hockey history that will likely reach fruition after another 93 goals sometime during the 2024-25 season. It will be documented. But it will not be romanticized. There is a pall over it. Again, at least here.”

It is not the first time Ovechkin is feeling the heat for his support of Putin. Things got much worse when Russia invaded Ukraine back in February. In days following the unprovoked invasion, Ovi was booed during a trip across western Canada for not taking more of a stand against Putin. Ovechkin’s Instagram page also features a profile photo of himself next to Putin. Back in 2017, Ovechkin founded “PutinTeam,” a social movement to show support for the country’s head of state.

That’s why Brooks cannot root for him. He does admit No. 8 is entertaining to watch, but he simply cannot get behind “Ovechkin the ardent supporter of Putin.”

He is not the only one. Brian Lilley of the Toronto Sun also published a column on how impossible it is for him to adulate Ovechkin.

“One of the claims I hear in defence of Ovechkin is that he has family still in Russia that he needs to protect. Spare me the false tears. The man has enough money and connections to get his extended family out of Russia if he wants to; he simply doesn’t, and he doesn’t want to renounce his gross, disgusting support for Putin, either.”

Lilley believes that Ovechkin will only get the full support his performance deserves if he “walks away from his support for Putin, war and oppression.”

Where do you stand?

Recommended articles:

• Gordie Howe’s sons have words for Alex Ovechkin
• How Alex Ovechkin celebrated goal #802 and passing Gordie Howe.
• Ovechkin on passing Gordie Howe: 'It's a miracle.'