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National Hockey League (NHL) -  An interesting article about Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) signing with IMG management, sponsorship, licensing and marketing agency. While the article states that this was all new to Alexander, he was actually represented by IMG when the management company also had a hockey player agency division that was subsequently sold a few years back. That was before he signed with Don Meehan and left IMG in an alleged bidding war for his representation. Interesting read though. (Washington Business Journal article by Tripp Mickle and Liz Mullen) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  Sergei Shirokov (Vancouver Canucks) sought out a pair of former teammates before leaving a front-line role in his native Russia to start over as a Vancouver Canucks prospect. The advice he received from Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins), both onetime linemates during a junior career that produced 13 points in 12 games at two world championships, was simple. "Go. Try. You'll be happy and successful," Shirokov said with translation help from the Canucks' amateur Russian scout, Sergei Chibisov. (Globe and Mail article by KEVIN WOODLEY) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  NEW YORK -- More than four years removed from the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014, the battle lines already have been drawn by one of the NHL's biggest stars regarding NHL participation. Two-time Hart Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) told ESPN.com during an interview here Wednesday that he will risk suspension and play for his country, Russia, regardless of whether the NHL is formally involved or not. "Nobody can say to me, 'You can't play for your country in the Olympic Games'" Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) said. (ESPN.com article by Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  NEW YORK -- More than four years removed from the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014, the battle lines already have been drawn by one of the NHL's biggest stars regarding NHL participation. Two-time Hart Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) told ESPN.com during an interview here Wednesday that he will risk suspension and play for his country, Russia, regardless of whether the NHL is formally involved or not. "Nobody can say to me, 'You can't play for your country in the Olympic Games'" Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) said. (ESPN.com article by Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  Lucky number 38. That's what Sergei Shirokov (Vancouver Canucks) is hoping to become. As of the end of the 2008-09 season there were 37 Russian-born players competing in the NHL, including the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers), Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). Shirokov is far from a household name like that fab four, but in the eyes of the Vancouver Canucks, he could develop into one. (NHL.com article by Derek Jory) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  No one really knew what to expect when the best Russian players started filtering into the NHL in the late 1980s. Alexander Mogilny provided the first real glimpse of what the fuss was all about when he defected from his native land to join the Buffalo Sabres two decades ago. Scotty Bowman then made headlines in the mid-1990s in Detroit when he rolled out the "Russian Five," consisting of forwards Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov and Slava Kozlov (Atlanta Thrashers) and defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov and Slava Fetisov. (NHL.com article by Mike G. Morreale) READ MORE

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  18 years old Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) has been picked up in the last NHL draft with the 109th overall pick. In this championat.ru interview by Alena Shilova he talked about the training camp in Montreal, about his future and about the comparison between him and NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). (championat.ru interview by Alena Shilova translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  WASHINGTON (AP) — Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) smiled that gap-toothed smile of his and laughed off Canadian TV analyst Don Cherry's criticism of his exuberant goal celebrations. "He's a funny guy and old guy. He likes old-fashioned hockey," Ovechkin said Sunday after scoring his NHL-high 46th goal in Washington's 6-2 loss to Florida. "He's not interesting to me, so he can say whatever he wants. I don't care about him," Ovechkin said. (article by Howard Fendrich of Associated Press) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) are two of the world's best hockey players, fellow Russians who became millionaires by their early 20s, former Olympic team roommates and the NHL's top two scorers last season. But the one-time friends have become cold-as-ice rivals, and their on-ice feud has grown increasingly nasty. Last season, the Penguins' Malkin ducked just in time to avoid a hard drive into the boards from the Capitals' Ovechkin. The ugliness has moved off the ice, too, with Ovechkin reportedly taking a swing at Malkin's agent in Moscow. (The Canadian Press article) READ MORE

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals defenceman Brooks Laich is standing in his team's practice facility, happily talking about Alex Ovechkin, part of the job description in Washington these days. Laich hits all the right notes - Ovechkin's athleticism ("He could play anything"), his competitiveness ("He really wants to win every game"), and his modest, team-first approach ("He's really just one of the guys"). (The Globe and Mail article by Michael Grange) READ MORE

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ce hockey star Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) is taking a well-earned break in Moscow after a fantastic season with the NHL's Washington Capitals. RT caught up with the Russian to talk about his blossoming career on the ice, and his predictions for the year ahead. After a rapid rise to stardom in his home country with Dynamo Moscow, the left winger was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2004. He has just come off the back of an amazing season, notching up 112 points and over 60 goals. (Russia Today article and video feed) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  QUEBEC CITY – A three-goal first-period outburst set the tone as Russia took a 5-3 decision over Switzerland at the Colisee on Monday. Proudly wearing the “C,” Maxim Sushinsky scored twice to lead the way. With the win to close out the Qualifying Round, unbeaten Russia will meet fourth-place Switzerland again in Wednesday’s quarter-finals, and the Czechs and Swedes, second and third respectively in Group E, will face each other that day. Unlike previous years, there is no cross-over between the two different Qualifying Round groups for the quarter-finals. Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) added a goal and an assist, and Dmitri Kalinin (Buffalo Sabres) and Sergei Fedorov also scored for Russia. Raffaele Sannitz, Julien Vauclair, and Romano Lemm replied for the Swiss. (IIHF.com article) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  It was a battle of National Hockey League superstars, and in the end, Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) bested New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist with just five seconds left on the clock. Ovechkin's goal lifted Team Russia to a 3-2 win over Lundqvist's Team Sweden Saturday at the IIHF world hockey championship in Quebec City. (Calgary Herald article) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  Earlier in Quebec City, Washington Capitals teammates Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Sergei Fedorov each scored a goal, helping Russia defeat Denmark 4-1. Maxim Afinogenov (Buffalo Sabres) and Konstantin Gorovikov also scored for Russia and Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers) of the Atlanta Thrashers had two assists in the game at Quebec City. Russia improved to 3-0 in the preliminary round. Kim Staal scored for Denmark (1-2). The Russians peppered Danish goaltender Patrick Galbraith with 43 shots. Mikhail Biryukov made 19 saves for Russia. (ESPN.com Article ) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  QUEBEC — At least Ken Hitchcock knew it was coming. The Canadian coach predicted Monday morning that his team was in for a “wakeup call” just hours before it was beaten 4-1 by Russia in the final exhibition game before the start of the IIHF World Hockey Championship. Hockey Canada scouts had watched Russia's 6-2 win over Switzerland a night earlier in nearby Trois-Rivieres, Que., and told Hitchcock that they would be a handful. “I think overall this is going to be the wakeup call we need,” Hitchcock said before the game. “I think tomorrow we're going to know exactly what we need to work on. (Globesports.com article) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  Alexander Radulov (Nashville Predators), Alexander Semin (Washington Capitals), Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) joined the Russian national team in Quebec. They will also join already present NHLers Dmitri Kalinin (Buffalo Sabres) and Denis Grebeshkov (Edmonton Oilers) among others.

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While many are already penciling in Canada for hockey gold at 2010, the Russian team might have something to say about it. Watching, with delight, Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) battle it out for the NHL’s scoring title, I got to thinking the other day just how amazing it will be to see them reunited as teammates for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. There’s already been much debate in this country about who might crack Team Canada’s dream team in two years but I’m telling you right now Russia goes into that tournament as the co-favourites with the home side. And without all the home-ice hype and pressure. (Sportsnet article by Pierre LeBrun) READ MORE

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This year has been all about the Russians Superstars. Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) just came off a five point night on Monday against the Bruins. Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) stepped up his game when Sidney Crosby was out with an injury. When I started this I almost forgot about Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers) who has 42 goals on the season for Atlanta. So who the best Russian in the National Hockey League? Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) has amazed players, coaches, and fans every time he steps onto the ice. He’s one of the faces of the league. He leads the NHL with 54 goals... (MVN.com article by Nathan Fournier) READ MORE

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) will have a new centre with the Washington Capitals this season and, for a change, a legitimate second line to go with more depth across the roster to help carry the load. Even better, there are expectations his team will actually challenge for a playoff berth and make some noise in the Southeast Division - all reasons why the always-eager Russian winger is particularly geared up for the new campaign. "We finally got more experienced guys like (Viktor) Kozlov, (Michael) Nylander, (Tom) Poti and we the young guys have more experience," the 22-year-old said on a conference call Monday. READ MORE

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COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The demise of the Russian assembly line of talented hockey players is just a rumour. It continues to produce some of the brightest and best prospects in the world. But there was not a bear market for Russian-bred players at the 2007 National Hockey League entry draft. Only two Russian juniors were selected in the first two rounds and only nine in total. That's quite a drop from the high of 44 in 2000, and it's the smallest total since 1988. Some want to attribute the decrease to the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and the threat that a hotshot Russian player will stay at home and play for a tax-free contract worth more than the $850,000 (all currency U.S.) cap on entry-level contracts in the NHL. (Tim Wharnsby - Globe and Mail) READ MORE

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World Championships -  Team Russia coaching staff has announced the final roster that will compete at the World Championships in Moscow:

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GOALIES: Alexander Eremenko , Vasily Koshechkin (Tampa Bay Lightning)

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DEFENSEMEN: Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh Penguins), Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens), Vitaliy Atyushov (Ottawa Senators), Denis Grebeshkov (New York Islanders), Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens), Maxim Kondratiev (Anaheim Mighty Ducks), Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers), Vitali Proshkin ;

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FORWARDS: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins), Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers), Alexander Radulov (Nashville Predators), Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings), Alexander Kharitonov , Danis Zaripov , Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins), Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexei Morozov (Pittsburgh Penguins), Ivan Nepriayev (Washington Capitals), Petr Schastlivy (Phoenix Coyotes)

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World Championships -  RUSSIA - AUSTRIA - 4:3 (1:0, 1:1, 2:2).
April 24th, 2007 - Moscow
GOALS:
- 1:0 Schastlivyy (Kharitonov, 6.10, sh),
- 2:0 Frolov (31.32, pp),
- 2:1 Zettsinger (36.03),
- 2:2 Lukas (Kharand, 44.37),
- 2:3 Ulrikh (Zettsinger, 49.52, pp),
- 3:3 Nikulin (Zinovev, 54.45, pp),
- 4:3 Frolov (Koltsov, Kaygorodov, 58.48).
THREE STARS: Frolov, Zettsinger, Schastlivyy.
RUSSIA (16): Eremenko (Barulin, 30.14); Nikulin (2) - Proshkin, Atyushov (2) - Grebeshkov (2), Emelin - Kondratev (2), Markov - Koltsov (4); Morozov - Zinovev - Zaripov, Frolov - Kaygorodov - Ovechkin (2), Mikhnov (2) - Schastlivyy-k - Kharitonov, Kulemin - Nepryaev - Mozyakin.
AUSTRIA (18+2 Team Penalty): Brukler (Divis, 30.14); R. Lukas - Rebek, Ulrikh (2) - Unterlyuggauyr, A.Lakos - Styuart (2), Matti - F.Lakos (2); Zettsinger (2) - Kokh - Uylser, Tratting (2) - F.Lukas - K.Kharant (2), Shuller (6) - Divis - Baumgartner, Payntner - Peval - P.Kharand.
SHOTS: 23 (5, 6, 12) - 23 (6, 10, 7).
GAME NOTES: Konstantin Barulin (St. Louis Blues) put on a shaky showing for the national team, allowing all three goals against Austria. At the same time, Alexander Eremenko was quite solid and will likely backup Vasily Koshechkin (Tampa Bay Lightning) at the World Championships. Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings) and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) skated on the second line with Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) at center. Frolov scored two goals, while Ovechkin still looked a bit out of place. Interestingly, Kiril Koltsov (Vancouver Canucks) skated with Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens) on the second defensive pairing, which will hopefully give the young defenseman some additional experience prior to making another attempt at the NHL this summer.

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World Championships -  Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) has arrived in Moscow and will soon head to the Novogorsk training facility to prepare for the World Championships. The young forward and likely NHL Calder Trophy winner will not join Team Russia for the EuroTour Sweden Games tournament which has already commenced today, but he will join the team for the EuroTour finals competition in early May. The young forward is likely to be one of the few NHL players to be on Team Russia’s lineup at the 2006 World Championships in Riga, Latvia.

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IIHF Winter Olympics -  Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals): Don’t Worry, Russia! (Sport Express Interview) READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin shares his impressions of playing in the NHL in a Soviet Sport newspaper interview. He discusses his life in America, his new teammates and his boss, George McPhee. READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin shares his impressions of playing in the NHL in a Soviet Sport newspaper interview. He discusses his life in America, his new teammates and his boss, George McPhee. READ MORE

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) will miss two exhibition games and make his NHL debut during the first home exhibition at the MCI Center. The young forward’s spot in the Capitals lineup is secure and the coaching staff decided to withhold the young forward, giving chance for some of the other players to compete for the remaining roster spots.

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals): I am living in Washington GM's house (SovSport Interview) READ MORE

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals): By the end of August I'll be in Washington (Sport-Express Interview) READ MORE

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As expected after the young forward’s announced a couple of weeks back, today the Washington Capitals officially inked Alexander Ovechkin to a 3 year deal. The first overall pick in 2004 has already arrived in Washington D.C. and will join the club from the start of the training camp. The details of the contract are not yet clear, but Ovechkin did state in an earlier interview that he will likely try to sign a deal with a provision of returning to Russia if he is unable to earn a spot with Washington’s NHL club.

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The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the NHL have agreed on a new transfer agreement that will, surprisingly, include the Russian hockey clubs as part of the IIHF block. The Russian Super League clubs have contended for most of the lockout year that they would like to negotiate a separate deal with the NHL in order to establish higher transfer fees than the approximately 150 thousand US dollars the NHL clubs were obligated to pay in most cases according to the prior agreement. While the finances of the new agreement are unclear, the NHL clubs will have until August 15th to sign their European prospects, regardless of whether those players have acting contracts in their respective leagues. In the following years, the deadline will be scaled back to July 15th. It is unclear which Russian players will be impacted by this agreement. Most certainly Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) has already indicated that he will be crossing the pond. Evgeni Malkin’s (Pittsburgh Penguins) arrival seems less likely, as he currently is playing under a very lucrative deal in Russia.

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) leaves a million with his Motherland (Gazeta.ru Interview) READ MORE

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Today, Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) further cleared his path to the NHL by electing to void his one year deal with Omsk and move on to the NHL. The young forward’s one year deal with Avangard came under serious scrutiny in Russia, as his former team Dynamo Moscow hotly contended his ability to leave the squad for another Super League club. The latest move provides Ovechkin with a clear path to Washington, as he is now a free agent in Russia and the Capitals would not have to negotiate a transfer fee with any RSL club. Dynamo Moscow management may attempt to contend for a transfer fee, as according to the latest rules Ovechkin is considered a restricted free agent, but it is unlikely that the RSL club would win this case against the Capitals. The transfer fee situation between the NHL and the RSL has become quite difficult this season after the IIHF-NHL agreement expired during the summer of 2004. Now that the NHL and the NHLPA have signed a new agreement, it is likely that a new IIHF-NHL agreement is soon to follow, despite the Russian Super League officials resistance to be included in an agreement with the rest of the European leagues.

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals): The only case in which I would go to Washington right now is if Dynamo wins the Arbitration Court hearing. READ MORE

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) soap opera has entered into a new phase with new details surfacing regarding the dispute between two of Russia’s most powerful RSL clubs Dynamo (Moscow) and Avangard (Omsk). As first reported by Canadian Press, then pick up by TSN, and finally confirmed by Genadi Nabatov from the Sport Express newspaper, Avangard signed the young super star to an offer sheet worth 1.8 million dollars, forcing Dynamo (Moscow) to match the offer sheet with a counter contract offer. The 1.8 million dollar amount is likely more than the rookie would be able to command as a rookie in the NHL, though an incentive laden deal may garner him upwards of 3.5 million dollars per season, as it did Ilya Kovalchuk when the young Russian Super Star met a lot of his goals in his incentive laden contract. Despite the large sum of money offered by the Russian clubs, Ovechkin will likely continue his career in the NHL once the lockout concludes.

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Dynamo Moscow’s management yesterday offered Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) a new contract offer, adding a new chapter to the ongoing dispute between the talented young forward and the RSL champion. According to Maxim Lebedev’s interviews, Dynamo’s president Anatoly Kharchuk sent the new offer to Ovechkin’s agent Sergei Isakov.

A. Kharchuk: We gave our new contract and all of the necessary paperwork to the agent.

S. Isakov: What’s going on right is exactly what we have tried to avoid. Two powerful clubs got into a battle over Ovechkin. Now, it looks like we won’t be able to avoid an arbitration court hearing. Following my recommendations, Alexander left Russia. In such situations when even experienced lawyers can’t understand all of the details in this case, it’s even harder to handle the situation for a 19-year-old man. I think next time I’ll advise him to purchase an airplane ticket to Washington quicker, and start the preparing for next season over there. It seems he won’t be able to do it here

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Today, RSL club Avangard (Omsk) submitted a petition to the arbitration courts the FHR (Federation of Hockey in Russia) and PHL (Professional Hockey League), requesting a resolution to the dispute between the aforementioned club and Dynamo (Moscow) in regards to the case of Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). According to the Sport Express newspaper, the case will have to be reviewed by the league officials within the next 10 days. The newspaper quotes the petition as stating the following:

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Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals): I want to go to Omsk! (Sport Express Interview) READ MORE

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According to the latest interview published in Sport-Express newspaper, RSL’s Avangard Omsk has entered the Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) sweepstakes. The Super League club has tendered a significant offer to the talented super star and he is reportedly looking to join the 2004 RSL Champions for the 2005-06 season in the case of a NHL lockout continuation. The current contract dispute saga may be rendered pointless, since the NHL and the NHLPA appear to be nearing an agreement, but the competition for Ovechkin has been fierce, at least in the media, between RSL reining campion Dynamo and wealthiest RSL club Ak Bars. Usually ranking second in the financial department, Avangard has recently signed and re-signed a number of stars, including Jaromir Jagr and Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings) to lockout deals and Ilya Bryzgalov (Anaheim Mighty Ducks) to a full commitment. We will translate Ovechkin’s interview with Sport-Express shortly and post it on RussianProspects.com!

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According to Dynamo Moscow’s president Anatoli Kharchuk, Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), the young forward will sign with his current club for another season.

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Rumor Central: Soviet Sport newspaper reported that Metallurg (Magnitogorsk) is actively pursuing Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), who became a free agent after the conclusion of the 2004-05 Super League (Russia 1) season. Reportedly, Metallurg is offering the first overall pick in 2004 a cool 1.5 million to join the Magnitogorsk club. It is likely that the young forward will remain with Dynamo, but the Moscow club would need to present a comparable offer.

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World Championships -  Russia’s head coach Vladimir Krikunov made the decision to scratch Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Fedor Fedorov (Vancouver Canucks) for game against the Czechs. The Russian squad appears to have an overly large number of forwards and the two were given an opportunity to rest in favor of Lokomotiv’s Vladimir Antipov (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Ivan Nepriayev (Washington Capitals)

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Russian Super League -  Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) finally made his return to professional hockey after suffering a shoulder injury in the final game of the U20 World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, ND. The young forward started skating about a month ago and was very happy to make his return to Dynamo’s lineup. Ovechkin was very quiet during his return, explaining himself in an interview with Soviet Sport newspaper correspondent Pavel Lysenkov.

I did not play much

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Russian Super League -  Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) has begun to skate at practices for the first time since the shoulder injury he suffered at the U20 WJC and was forced to have surgery. The young forward has been skating for a week without contact, and should begin to fully participate in practices within two weeks.

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Karjala Cup EuroTour -  RUSSIA – FINLAND 3:4 (1:2, 1:1, 1:1)
GOALS: 0:1 Pakaslahti (Berg, Ruutu 1:58); 1:1 Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers) (Gusev, Simakov – 12:40); 1:2 Ruutu (Rita, Kukkonen – 18:19); 1:3 Peltonen (Jokinen, Mantyla – 28:18pp); 2:3 Skugarev (Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers), Simakov – 29:33); 3:3 Gladskikh (Vancouver Canucks) (Kaigorodov -47:15); 3:4 Jokinen (Peltonen, Nummelin – 59:21);
SHOTS: 33-30
PIM: 38-16
GOALIES: Sokolov – Backstrom
GAME NOTES:
The Russians started the game off with several individual ventures by Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Oleg Saprykin (Phoenix Coyotes), but since there wasn’t much of combinational hockey to speak of, the Finns had little trouble in stopping the talented Russians. After going down one goal, Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers) tied the game for Russia half way through the first period when he broke into the offensive on the left flank, beat a defenseman and shot the puck. The goalie seemingly deflected the shot, but the puck slowly crossed the goal line...Artem Kriukov (Buffalo Sabres) was given 2+10 penalty in the third period for hitting a Finn player from behind ...Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers) was active throughout the game and was a constant threat to the Finns. Besides scoring, he assisted on Russia’s second goal when he broke to the net and his attempted shot was finally put in by Skugarev...Alexei Kaigorodov (Ottawa Senators) assisted on Russia’s game tying short handed goal when he fed the puck to Evgeni Gladskykh, who streaked in next to the boards through a defenseman and one timed Kaigorodov’s pass behind the goalie...Oleg Saprykin (Phoenix Coyotes) played solid individual hockey, but caused the first goal when he streaked in the offensive zone by himself, was stripped of the puck and as a result left behind the play.

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Russian Super League -  METALLURG (Magnitogorsk)

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Russian Super League -  Sergei Gonchar (Boston Bruins) suffered a serious concussion in a Super League (Russia 1) match against Dynamo (Moscow). The NHL veteran defenseman collided on the ice with Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), 2004 NHL Entry Draft’s number one overall pick. It happened with 10 minutes left in the game. Gonchar was skating towards Dynamo Moscow's net, and Ovechkin put out his shoulder and blindsided the defenseman. Gonchar lost consciousness upon the collision of his head to Ovechkin's shoulder and fell motionless to the ice. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher and was driven straight to a local hospital. In an interview with Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s press center, Gonchar said the following:

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Russian Super League -  LADA (Togliatti)

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World Cup Hockey: Ovechkin earns respect, little playing time(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) (URL: READ MORE

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Russia's Ovechkin is worth the long wait (Teenager scores and belts with best - Toronto Star)(URL: READ MORE

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RussianProspects 2004 NHL Entry Draft Recap: Round 1 (URL: http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?link_id=207) READ MORE

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Caps development camp got underway yesterday without much of a Russian presence. While Alexander Semin flew in from Russia for the camp, he did not participate in the first day of activities, recovering from a strained ankle. Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, is still not signed by the Capitals and did not attend the development camp, staying in Russia with Dynamo (Moscow), his Super League (Russia 1) club. In a radio interview with the Sports 980 radio station, the Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee stated that the club had no plans to sign Ovechkin before the NHL reaches a transfer agreement with the IIHF. The GM further stated that the club had no plans to negotiate individually with a club for the rights to a player. Reportedly, Dynamo Moscow was looking for as much as two million dollars for the release of the young winger from the last year of his contract with the Russian club.

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New photos of Alexander Radulov (Nashville Predators), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) have been added to their respective player profiles. You may access their player profiles through the links at the top right of this page.

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McPhee does not disappoint, Washington Capitals draft Ovechkin 1st overall (URL: http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?link_id=201) READ MORE

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Ovechkin is just part of foundation (Washington Times article) (URL: http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?link_id=198) READ MORE

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Top prospect Alexander Ovechkin of Russia ready to play in the NHL (URL: http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?link_id=197READ MORE

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Alexander Ovechkin (2004 NHL Entry Draft) has been selected to Russia's World Cup squad, where he will likely be the youngest player at the tournament. The talented forward has been a fixture on Russia's senior national team all season. This will be a great experience for Ovechkin, even though it is unlikely that he will play a significant role on the squad.

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Russian superteen Ovechkin seen as NHL's next big star (AP Sports) (URL: http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?link_id=190) READ MORE

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OVECHKIN OR MALKIN? DOES IT MATTER? (PittsburghPenguins.com article) (URL: http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?link_id=185) READ MORE

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World Championships -  Sergei Mozyakin was released by the Russian National team after receiving reinforcements on the left wing from the NHL. Anatoly Bardin, Russia’s General Manager, stated the following regarding Mozyakin’s release to the Soviet Sport newspaper:

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Alexander Ovechkin: There shouldn’t be a second place finish for an athlete READ MORE

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Russian Super League coaches named Evgeni Malkin Russian Super League rookie of the year. Alexander Ovechkin was named the league’s top left wing.

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Alexander Ovechkin missed Dynamo's game on Monday against Metallurg Magnitogorsk due to a minor unspecified injury. However, he personally stated that he intends to play in Dynamo's game against Lada Togliatti this Friday, March 12th.

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The Central Scouting Bureau released the preliminary rankings today and as expected Alexander Ovechkin heads the list of Russian player.

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Alexander Ovechkin played his second game since returning fromt he leg injury. He skated on Dynamo’s top. Despite having a couple of chances, the young forward was not able to score in this contest.

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Alexander Ovechkin returned into Dynamo Moscow’s lineup for the first time since suffering the leg injury while with the national team. It did not take him long to score his eighth of the season, using his sudden and powerful wrist shot. Early in the game, Ovechkin collided with NHLer Oleg Tverdovsky, as a result of which the veteran defenseman suffered a concussion and was forced to leave the game.

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Alexander Ovechkin suffered a leg injury during the friendly game prior to the start of the Karjala Cup EuroTour tournament. The young forward is forced to miss the entire tournament.

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2004 NHL Entry Draft top prospect Alexander Ovechkin bruised his leg while skating for the senior national team in a preparatory contest against the U20 squad.

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2004 NHL Entry Draft prospect Alexander Ovechkin scored two goals in Dynamo Moscow preseason victory against Neftkhimik Nizhnekamsk.

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Nashville Predators signed defensive prospect Andrei Mukhachev, the club seventh round choice, to a contract.