‘We just want to play,’ Ovechkin says on Russian participation at IIHF events

Posted November 10, 2026 11:53 am.

Last Updated November 10, 2026 12:19 pm.

OTTAWA — Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin said Russian athletes just want to represent their country, but he didn’t weigh in on the decision to allow his countrymen back into IIHF tournaments.

Ovechkin took questions from reporters in Ottawa today ahead of the team’s matchup against the Senators.

Asked about the Canadian government’s decision not to grant entry visas to Russian players ahead of the upcoming world junior hockey championships in Alberta next month, Ovechkin said fans want to see the best athletes in the worlds competing.

Russia has been banned from playing in international hockey tournaments since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Last month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned that decision, but participating countries have taken their own measures to exclude Russia from competing.

Tuesday night’s game against the Senators marks the start of the Canadian leg of Ovechkin’s farewell tour, and the team will return in April in the second-to-last game of the season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2026.

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press

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