The 895th goal of Alex Ovechkin in the NHL-Record is praise around the world-including geopolitical rivals of the United States.
“I congratulate you on your exceptional assessment,” said Russian president Vladimir Putin in a statement published on Monday by the Kremlin. “You have exceeded legendary masters in the number of goals scored in the regular seasonal games of the National Hockey League.”
As Putin said to the legend of Russian hockey, the realization of Ovechkin “has become not only your personal success, but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad.
“I wish you health, good fortune (and) the spirit of combat to conquer new heights in life and in sport,” concluded Putin.
Let’s go back to the Hockey team of the Red Army of the Soviet era, the success of Ovechkin on the ice has become a pride for the Kremlin and its chief, who benefited from the support of the most visible athlete in the country.
Ovechkin launched a movement of athletes “ Pountiteam ” in 2017 to rally support for the president before the 2018 widely disputed elections in the country.
The 895th goal of the NHL-Record of Alex Ovechkin draws praise from around the world
Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin is seen on a screen celebrating his 895th career in career
Putin and Ovechkin stand together during a reception for the national team in 2014
At the time, Ovechkin said that his praise from Putin was somehow non-political, stressing that he hoped for better relations between Russia and the United States-a desire that Putin-Admirer Donald Trump also expressed publicly.
Of course, supporting Russia in any way has become controversial in the United States since the Invasion of Putin of Ukraine, an American ally.
But while Ovechkin did not make many recent public statements expressing a completely total support for Putin – or punishing his country of origin for war – he always has an image of himself with the Russian leader like his profile photo on Instagram.
Ovechkin exceeded the legend of Edmonton Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers on the NHL marking list during the defeat of Sunday against the New York Icelanders by scoring his 895th career goal during a second -time power game.
The time has come with political connotations because the director of the FBI and the initiate of Trump Kash Patel was, once again, seated alongside Gretzky in a VIP box for the game. Previously, when Ovechkin equaled the record of Gretzky in Washington on Thursday, Patel was also seen alongside Gretzky.
“Was it Kash Patel next to Gretzky?” A fan asked X, echoing a question asked by countless others on both sides of the American Canadian border.
Another joked: “Kash Patel was adopted by Gretzky (sic)?”
“Gretzky to have Kash Patel or his guest for the last two games is the lowest of the notches,” added a sports fan from the Philadelphia region.
(Left) Kash Patel, Janet Jones Gretzky, Wayne Gretzky and Gary Bettman in UBS Arena
Thursday Patel watched Ovechkin with Gretzky and Bettman at Capital Onena at DC
Gretzky remained silent on Trump’s prices against the United States, because the president has often declared his desire to make Canada the “51st state” and to name Gretzky the “governor”
But no one is more angry with Gretzky’s ties with Trump’s inner circle than native Canadians.
“Above surely, Gretzky first shakes the hand of his good friend Kash Patel,” wrote a critic on X. “Gretz” is a traitor in Canada.
“Gretzky with his good friend Kash Patel – who wants to make Canada the 51st state,” they added. “Canada should revoke Gretzky citizenship.”
Trump has repeatedly declared his desire to make the 51st America of Canada and has since doubled the animosity between the two countries by adding prices to Canadian goods.
Last month, a famous statue of Gretzky in Edmonton was smeared with excrement after the legend of the Oilers attended the post-electoral parties to the president of the Club of Palm Beach, Florida, as well as the inauguration in Washington.