Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated NHL star Alex Ovechkin for making history as the league’s all-time top goal scorer, surpassing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th career goal. The milestone came during the Washington Capitals’ 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders.
In a statement released by the Kremlin, Putin praised Ovechkin’s “outstanding record” and called the achievement a celebration for fans in Russia and around the world. “I wish you health, good fortune, [and] fighting spirit to conquer new heights in life and in sports,” he added.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that while the two have not yet spoken, the message underscores Putin’s admiration for Ovechkin’s achievement.
Ovechkin, a known supporter of Putin, founded the pro-Kremlin “Putin Team” initiative in 2017. While he has faced criticism for backing the Russian leader amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Ovechkin has maintained his stance is patriotic rather than political.
Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryev echoed Putin’s sentiment, hailing Ovechkin as both a key supporter of the Russian president and a global hockey icon.
Source: Swifteradio.com
