Capitals’ Ovechkin says Olympic decision out of his hands
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin released a statement Thursday night through the Washington Capitals acknowledging that the ability to represent Russia in the 2018 Olympics has been taken out of his hands.
On the eve of the first day of on-ice training camp workouts, Ovechkin said in the statement that while he loves playing for his country, it won’t happen because the International Ice Hockey Federation has assured the NHL that players under contract won’t be able to play in South Korea. The NHL announced in April it wouldn’t be sending players to the Games for the first time since 1994.
“I said every time I was asked since last Olympics that nobody is going to tell me I can’t play because my country was going to be allowed to ask me,” Ovechkin said. “Now the IIHF and NHL say my country is not allowed to ask anybody in the NHL to play and there is nothing to talk about anymore.”
The Athletic first reported the IIHF’s assurances to the league last week. Ovechkin is set to address reporters after his first official camp practice Friday.