Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin wins over Russia
By Ron Juckett
Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin brought the Stanley Cup to his home and somehow overshadowed the World Cup. No one minded.
The Washington Capitals are enjoying the time-honored tradition of touring with their hard-earned Stanley Cup.
Most players get one day with the best trophy in sports to do as they please. Often, the Cup earns parades in towns and cities. Schools and hospitals get the chance to share the spoils with said player.
On a recent trip to Annapolis, the Cup arrived by boat—like you would expect any other way at the Naval Academy—and made its way to the temporary newsroom of the Capital Gazette. There was not a dry eye.
.@ovi8 meeting his father at his hometown rink Novogorsk Dynamo Hockey School pic.twitter.com/QlhIGku6oC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 7, 2018
However, on this July weekend, the Cup is the guest of Alex Ovechkin. He brought it to his Mother Russia and the World Cup. Again, few dry eyes from the thousands lined up at the World Cup Experience to shake Ovechkin’s hand and grab a picture with the pair.
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Ovechkin has earned the right to celebrate however he wants. If he shared it among friends and family behind closed doors, you could not blame him. He is on public display more often than not and the off-season is too brief.
Nope, not him.
This Russian tour, where Ovechkin is giving guided tours as if he works as a Smithsonian worker, is so big that the Caps beat writers are on Moscow with him. Despite their summer cut to shreds with the championship run, they are having a great time.
No matter where he goes, Ovechkin spreads an infectious joy. Even a hardened Penguins fan must smile seeing the endless supply of the greying hero loving his trophy with the public.
A first-round draft pick in 2004, Ovechkin waited his entire professional life for this moment. Fourteen years of frustration washed away on a June night in Las Vegas. The constant hangover is gone, but that broad grin has yet to leave his face.
As with the old MasterCard ad, the internal cost of winning the Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy came with a cost. But, watching Ovechkin share the Cup with his father is priceless.
If you ever wonder why players and their families go through the struggle and sacrifice to master a sport, look above the top of this story. Ovechkin could be a fourth-line scrub forward, the moment means the same.
Alex Ovechkin will never buy another drink or meal by choice in the Washington Capitals area again. If you wonder why fans idolize players, he is the reason. His affections in return are beyond mutual.