Ukrainian Canadians to protest Ovechkin’s visit to Ottawa over Putin ties

In Ottawa, Ukrainian Canadians have announced plans to protest the visit of Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals to Ottawa due to his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, organizing the demonstration titled "No War Crimes in Hockey," aims to protest Ovechkin's ties to the Russian leader.

Two House of Commons petitions, sponsored by Liberal MPs Yvan Baker and Bardish Chagger, call for sanctions against Ovechkin that would prevent him from entering Canada. The NHL's top scorer appeared in a campaign ad for Putin's United Russia party in September, standing next to Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. Ovechkin, the Capitals' leading goal scorer, is also linked to a movement called "Putin Team" in 2017, where he stated he simply supported his country.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin has called for an end to the war but defended his relationship with Putin, arguing that the Russian leader is his president and that he is an athlete, not a politician. This visit by Ovechkin to Canada comes amid a controversy over Russia's possible reinstatement into international hockey.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation must reinstate Russia, which has been banned from international competition since the war began. Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Russian players will not be allowed to represent their country at the upcoming world junior hockey championship in Alberta.

The dispute escalated after Norway informed the IIHF that Russia would participate in the under-20 tournament. Sweden and Finland have also stated they will not face Russia while the war persists. The IIHF has not yet announced a change to the world junior lineup. Ovechkin's first visit to Canada since announcing his retirement at the end of his 22nd NHL season is set for Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.