Ovechkin Mobbed By Fans During Appearance At NHL Store In N.Y.

Ovechkin Arrives At NHL Store In N.Y. On A Zamboni For "NHL 2K10" Event

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE? Ovechkin yesterday indicated that he will "risk suspension" to play for Russia during the '14 Sochi Games, "regardless of whether the NHL is formally involved or not." ESPN.com's Burnside & LeBrun noted the NHL has "no commitment to take part in the Olympics" after February's Vancouver Games, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that he "wants to sit down with the players' union after the Vancouver Games to go over the pros and cons of continued participation." But Ovechkin said, "Nobody can say to me, 'You can't play for your country in the Olympic Games.' ... I'll go play in the Olympic Games for my country. If somebody says to me, 'You can't play,' see ya." NHLPA interim Exec Dir Ian Penny said Ovechkin's comments are "consistent with what we've been hearing from the players, which is that they're very passionate about international hockey, particularly the Olympics" (ESPN.com, 9/9). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said hopefully all the Russian players in the NHL “are lined up behind Ovechkin to say, ‘No, no, no. We’re not playing this game. We’re going to represent our country and you are going to let us go’” ("PTI," ESPN, 9/9).

Print This Article