NHL star Ovechkin enjoys Moscow break
Published 31 July, 2008, 17:17
Ice hockey star Aleksandr Ovechkin is taking a well-earned break in Moscow after a fantastic season with the NHL's Washington Capitals. RT caught up with the Russian to talk about his blossoming career on the ice, and his predictions for the year ahead.
After a rapid rise to stardom in his home country with Dynamo Moscow, the left winger was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2004.
He has just come off the back of an amazing season, notching up 112 points and over 60 goals.
“Of course I dreamed about achieving such great success and I'm happy I'm the league's best player and was voted the MVP,” he said. “But I need to keep up this standard, and I need to keep on working at my game to keep up these levels of play.”
As well as Ovechkin, other Russian players put in stunning performances during the last season. Pavel Datsyuk won the Stanley Cup, Evgeny Malkin scored 106 points, and Ilya Kovalchuk and Evgeny Nabokov were generally in great form.
“The Russians who play in the NHL don't just play – but most are leaders for their teams and play a big role,” said Ovechkin.
North American hockey fans tend to prefer their own hockey players – but they've taken to Ovechkin as one of their own.
“I feel good when people recognise me on the street, and when fans say we love you – I'm proud of myself, my country and for my family that I'm from Russia and the Americans are supporting a Russian so strongly,” he said.
How does Ovechkin rate Washington's chances in the Stanley Cup?
“We've got certain goals – we've got a good experienced side. We've added a new goaltender, and everything's in our own hands,” he said.
To watch the full interview, click the video button on the right.
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