Alex Ovechkin has brought the Stanley Cup to where his professional hockey career all started.
Back to the homeland of Mother Russia.
The Capitals captain was seen back in his hometown of Moscow before the two quarter-final matches on Saturday at a local fan zone where soccer fans can take in the day’s action where the matches are screened.
With a massive group of fans trying to take photos with the Stanley Cup Champion, Ovechkin was escorted by Russian officials.
As noted in the video above, Ovechkin will take in Russia’s match against Croatia later on Saturday from a private event.
Earlier on in the tournament, Ovechkin was spotted with fellow Russian stars Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Radulov.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Ovechkin wishes nothing but the best for the Russian soccer team.
“The national team did a great a job for the fans, everyone is so happy, miracles can happen, we are not far away from the final. We need to fight, and our players understand it, they will do everything that they can.”
After the semi-final match, Ovechkin will go over to the Dynamo Moscow (the team he played for in the KHL before coming to North America to play with the Capitals) training facility for a meet and greet with all the young hockey players training in their program.
"One day I wanted to be in his position to raise the Cup, and in the future, I will share this moment with some kids," Ovechkin told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.
"Because when you're a kid you don't know what your life is going to be, who you're going to be. Of course, you dream to be a professional athlete or a very good businessman or whatever. … My dream was to be a hockey player, to be a good hockey player, win the Cup."
Like Ovechkin’s 13 year chase for the Stanley Cup, the Russian soccer team is looking for their first ever World Cup.
It would be pretty cool to see Ovechkin lift Lord Stanley’s mug next to the World Cup if the Russians are able to capture their first ever World Cup, let alone do it on home soil. Just imagine the partying that'll commence from that.
(h/t NHL)
