Alexander Ovechkin has been heavily criticized since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Now Nicklas Bäckström speaks about how the relationship between the stars looks today.
– Me and “Ovie” have decided that, he says to Expressen.
Months have passed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and in that time several athletes have been harshly and heavily criticized around the world. In the skiing world, Alexander Bolshunov has made headlines after appearing at various festivities together with Vladimir Putin – but several hockey stars have also found themselves in the spotlight.
The words about the relationship with Ovie
Alexander Ovetchkin, one of the world’s best hockey players, has been heavily criticized as he long refused to speak at all about the war. On social media, Ovetchkin also still has a picture of him and Putin as a profile picture, which led to further criticism. During the NHL playoffs, Ovetchkin continued to remain silent, and the criticism hasn’t exactly subsided.
One of Alexander Ovetjkin’s absolute closest friends in ice hockey is Nicklas Bäckström. They have both been teammates in the Washington Capitals throughout their NHL careers, and over the years have become close to each other, not least on the ice, but also off it.
“We have decided…”
But they both don’t talk much about what’s going on in Ukraine right now, he says.
– Me and “Ovie” have decided that in our relationship we do not talk about politics and what is happening in Ukraine at all. It’s the same in the dressing room. Nobody talks about that, says Bäckström to Expressen.
“Bäckis”, who is currently rehabbing after a hip operation during the summer, is, however, clear about what he thinks about what is currently going on.
– It is really terrible what is going on. Children, adults, innocents who suffer. It’s terrible. I feel bad when I see the TV pictures from Ukraine.
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