NHL star and Russian native Alex Ovechkin announced a new social media campaign on Thursday to help re-elect Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The Washington Capitals player said on Instagram that he was creating “Putin’s Team” to show solidarity with the Russian strongman.
“Personal awards and prizes are all great, but in hockey, as in any case, to win it’s important to have a team,” Ovechkin wrote on Instagram, along with an image of himself with Putin.
“Only the team is able to reverse the course of the game, to achieve the impossible.”
The six-time all star said he is “creating a public movement” called Putin’s Team.
“I am certain that there are many of us that support Vladimir Putin. Let’s unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia!” he said.
“Being a part of such a team is a privilege for me. It’s like feeling when you put on a Russian national team jersey, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you.”
Ovechkin, who plays in Washington D.C., spends his off-seasons in Moscow.