Sports NHL star Alex Ovechkin – a past Putin supporter – calls for peace, says Ukraine invasion is ‘hard situation’ February 25, 2022 Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Comments Off on NHL star Alex Ovechkin – a past Putin supporter – calls for peace, says Ukraine invasion is ‘hard situation’ Asked whether he supports Putin amidst the invasion, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said, "He's my president but … I'm not in politics."