MOSCOW (AP) – With a broken foot, Alex Ovechkin once got on a plane the day after the Washington Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs to represent Russia at the world hockey championship.
It’s something the three-time NHL MVP will gladly do again at the World Cup of Hockey after headlining Russia’s 16-man roster for the tournament on Wednesday.
“Doesn’t matter which tournament, it’s huge honor,” Ovechkin said. “It’s nice to be in the list, and I’m proud to represent my country.”
Ovechkin was joined on the roster by Capitals teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk. Ovechkin, Malkin and Datsyuk are part of Russia’s old guard from the past two Olympics, while Kuznetsov could provide a major spark after being left off the Olympic team in Sochi in 2014.
Finland also announced a roster full of NHL players, with forwards Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild and Jussi Jokinen of the Florida Panthers joining Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask.