Ovechkin speaks out against NHL's Olympic decision

'It sucks': Ovechkin accepts he's not going to Olympics
Capitals star had said he'd go even without NHL agreement


With 644 words and two exclamation points, Alex Ovechkin put a final period on his and other NHL players' dreams of playing in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Washington Capitals' Russian superstar acknowledged in a lengthy statement released by the team Thursday night that, although he'd love to represent his country, he knows it's not in the cards.

"I said every time I was asked since last Olympics that nobody is going to tell me I can't play because my country was going to be allowed to ask me," Ovechkin said. "Now the IIHF and NHL say my country is not allowed to ask anybody in the NHL to play and there is nothing to talk about anymore."

Ovechkin's comments come after The Athletic reported that deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the International Ice Hockey Federation assured the NHL that any players under contract won't be allowed to play in South Korea in February. In an email to The Associated Press this week, Daly said: "I don't expect any players under NHL contract participating in the Olympics."

Five months after the NHL announced it wouldn't be going, most players moved from anger to acceptance. There's still disappointment and frustration about the process, though Ovechkin's statement provides some closure after he was the most vocal player, seemingly no matter the consequences.

"NHL players in the Olympics is good for hockey and good for Olympics," Ovechkin said. "It sucks that will we not be there to play!!"

Reacting to Ovechkin's statement that said players "should not have to be in position to make this choice," Swedish defenceman Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators tweeted : "Well said. Representing your country in the biggest event ever is something that's more than special. And I'm proud I got to play at least 1."