Alex Ovechkin continued his weeklong adventure in China as part of the NHL’s tour to grow the game globally.
Alex Ovechkin’s second day in China was eventful as the Washington Capitals captain serves as an NHL global ambassador to help grow the game.
On Sunday Ovechkin was greeted by a big crowd of fans at the airport in his arrival and dropped the ceremonial first puck in the Renaissance Hockey Cup.
Ovechkin spent Monday at Shougang Park which is where the headquarters are located for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee.
The area at the park which used to be where a steel factory for over a century was located is now the home to the headquarters and the location will be used for the ski jumping event during the winter games. Ovechkin got a tour of the entire place and went out to a temple overlook for a spectacular view.
After that, Ovechkin headed to an ice rink to lead a clinch with 40 local players ages 12 and under.
Running drills with @ovi8...no big deal#Gr8inChina pic.twitter.com/qr2f6phguE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 5, 2019
Ovechkin passed, shot, and even got some help coaching the clinic from none other than Peter Zong. The freshman was back in his native country for the ORG hockey tournament with the Arizona State hockey team.
Zong fed Ovechkin one-timers from the office.
LIFE. MADE. 🤩@peterweiz gets to feed @ovi8 one-timers. pic.twitter.com/GUvAWNig1r
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) August 5, 2019
The two additionally did a jersey swap.
Jersey 🔁
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 5, 2019
Peter Zhong is a Chinese native and freshman on the @SunDevilHockey squad who is back in his hometown with ASU and swapped jerseys with @ovi8 at today's clinic! #Gr8inChina pic.twitter.com/wfOEdhZJDm
Ovechkin then headed to the Renaissance tournament and met Zhou Yunjie, the chairman founder of ORG Packaging. Ovechkin’s day ended with dinner where he chowed down on some Peking duck, a Chinese delicacy!
Peking duck roast time! pic.twitter.com/qINRp7GjtE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 5, 2019
Alex Ovechkin has been in the news a lot lately, especially in the eighth month of the year. As far as interview on Ovechkin hinting about a possible retirement, it’s a matter of seeing how his body will fare. In the meantime, Ovechkin is just enjoying life and we should as well, especially with the opportunity to watch him night in and night out.
Alex Ovechkin stopped by O.R.G. Packaging's Renaissance Tournament to check out the Chinese Hockey tournament and facility plus meet with Mr. Zhou Yunjie#Gr8inChina pic.twitter.com/PwaJSk9RWY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 5, 2019
Ovechkin is getting exposed to a different culture and helping expand this beautiful game of hockey. It should grow even more by the time the winter Olympic games come to Beijing in 2022. The future for Ovechkin by the time that year comes remains to be seen.
Ovechkin will be in China for the remainder of the week. Once he’s back, Ovechkin can resume training in a highly anticipated season in Washington. When he takes the ice this season, there will be a new fanbase cheering Ovechkin on from afar.