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omnipotent_hudler

More proof that Ovechkin is basically awesome

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worth the read

As of today Alexander Ovechkin, the best hockey player in the world, is training hard during his off-season training, He is running cross-country crosses in the forest near Novogorsk, the suburb of Moscow. The Washington Capitals forward says that he is now ready to run a marathon at the Olympics. If this is a joke, you are right, but in August Alexander the Great will be in Beijing to root for the basketball team.

While Alex is running cross country somewhere in the forest your correspondent adjusts himself on the hot bench and begins the conversation with Mikhail Viktorovich, Ovechkin's father. Uncle Misha [Michael Ovechkin] is in complete delight. The other day he visited with his son Nizhny Novgorod. And now he believes that the city's infrastructure is not much inferior to America.

"I was stationed there when I was drafted in the army in the 1972-1973", says Ovechkin the Senior. "Back then Nizhny Novgorod was a gray, grim place. When I came back I couldn't believe my eyes. The small local town Lyskovo with population of only 26 thousand people has the hockey arena, the shooting gallery, and the swimming pool. And it is planned to build 16 more similar arenas in Nizhny Novgorod region!

I was crazed when I saw that children in schools are picked by the buses, as it is in the States. The groceries are full of food, the streets are clean. I became a fan of Nizhny Novgorod. Especially because some former Dynamo players like Chubarov, Kharitonov and Troschinsky will be playing for Nizhny Novgorod's Torpedo next season…

Alex went there to work with Alex Kovalev on hockey clinic for kids. The arena was sold out. I went out to have a smoke and asked the local guys what they were thinking about their Governor Valerie Shantsev. They almost applauded, "We won the lottery with him!"

P.L: I think you've exaggerated a bit on America's comparison.

M.O.: Why? In general, we are accustomed to underestimate Russia. For example, when the hockey player arrives to Russia from abroad [or from other Russian club] he gets an apartment, a car, a satellite dish, [all paid by the team] relocation money... In the NHL the player gets $ 100 per diem and he has to take care of himself. Before Alex bought a house in Arlington we were renting an apartment in front of the White House. Two rooms, one bathroom, a kitchen. That's all.

Meanwhile Ovechkin Jr. returns from his cross country race. He takes a sit. Tired, he opens a bottle of mineral water. Next to him is his fitness trainer Dmitri Kapitonov, fresh and ready. No wonder, Kapitonov is a marathoner with experience, he was competing in 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

"I am asking a favor, please don't make pictures of me", says Ovechkin. "The summer vacation is evident. Here it is, the fold on my stomach. Until I'll lose weight, no compromising pictures!" ..."Ok, just kidding. I was never overweight" Alexander smiles. "I have an excellent body, not an extra gram of fat. A washboard stomach... Call this reporting "The weekdays of Ovechkin the bodybuilder"… Hey, Dima, [he turns to Kapitonov] what is next? Hello? Houston?

Do you know that Sidney Crosby is the best hockey player of the year according to ESPN?

A.O.: Congratulation to Crosby. He deserved it. (quickly answers Ovechkin.)

Wait, he didn't play a half of a season. And you got a bunch of trophies, including Hart Trophy for the most valuable player in the NHL. Don't you think it is not fair that on ESPN version Crosby is the best?

He has taken Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup finals. And in general I can not collect absolutely all of the awards. One shouldn't be so greedy.

Do you know that one American rapper mentions you in his song? He argues that "one Alex Ovechkin is better than twenty Gretsky's".

Is that Eminem? (Sasha smiles). No, I haven't heard about this hit. But Caps fans recently composed a song in my honor.

It has something like, "When he broke his nose, he scored four goals"... to Montreal. And all of it was under a very tough music like Rammstein. Well, exactly, nobody breaks nose while listening to Mozart.

P.L.: Washington already has four Russians, Ovechkin, Semin, Viktor Kozlov, Sergei Fedorov. At two more are in, Simeon Varlamov and Victor Dovgan.

Yes, we'll bypass Detroit with their Russian 5. (Alex smiles)

P.L.: It is happening because of your influence? Does the management consults with you when acquiring new players?

Sometimes I call George McPhee just to hear what's happening. But nobody asks me for any advice. Our superiors have their own heads on their shoulders. I got very excited when we signed a new contract with Fedorov. This is a serious improvement. Generally speaking Washington is almost at no loss, we only lost Matt Cook and we've replaced the goalie. I think that next season we should go further than the first round of playoffs.

P.L.: Where is Fedorov now?

I called him, but his cell was turned off. I think Sergei is somewhere in Miami on the beach relaxing.

P.L.: How will you spend the rest of the summer?

On July 29 I'll be flying along with Dynamo to Peter [st. Petersburg]. It's because Dima now works as a fitness trainer in our club. And I am going to Beijing for three days on August 9th. I was chosen as the face [of Russia?] in the Olympics.

P.L.: Yes, I've already seen the posters with your image on the streets of Moscow. So, you won't train for three days?

Why not? They will release the beach volleyball site for me. They'll cancel the competitions for Ovechkin to jog on the sand… More seriously I am going there to primarily root for the national team. I want to go to basketball games. Masha Kirilenko, the wife of Andrei Kirilenko who is the team's captain, already invited me to go. I think I can catch the games against Iran on August 10 and Croatia on 12th.

"And of course, a marathon", adds Kapitonov."I didn't train Ovechkin for nothing".

P.L.: What did you listen to on your player during this workout?

Ave Maria. There are two girls who sing the pop. They will be the superstars soon. I found their divine music on the Internet and now I only train while listening to them. If you taking an electric chair I recommend it with the music of Ave Maria", jokes Ovechkin.

We should clarify that the "two girls" are Alyonka and Diana, the daughters of Igor Larionov. They sang "Ave Maria" in the Red Square last winter before the hockey game.

P.L.: I noticed a purple scar on your right thigh. Where did you get it?

I was cut in the game against Pittsburgh. I was trying to hit, the opponent put his skate out. I had to leave to the locker room to fix it.

P.L.: And how many games you've missed?

None. The next day we've played against Ottawa and I scored four goals.

P.L.: It is amazing!

Russians don't surrender! :-) And now do you understand why I'd die in the summer while training with Kapitonov? [because I want to be] more alive than any other living creature in the winter!

Soooo why is Crosby the face of the nhl again?

let me reiterate something

Alexander Ovechkin, an elite athlete, trains to this:

as mentioned those are Iggy's daughters

Edited by omnipotent_hudler

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hopefully this isn't a dumb question but Iggy is who? never heard it before about a wing. only thing that comes to mind is Igor Larionov. but please feel free to enlighten me.

and those girls are very nice! (borat voice)

yeah larionov

im just guessing because the hat is so old and beat up

e: that makes it look p cool though

Edited by omnipotent_hudler

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I love OV too, and it was a great article to read. But I don't see how this makes him better than Crosby.

Many players train in July in the off season. Some players train at the end of June, and some players train all year around. None of us know if Crosby or any other superstar happens to be training right now. Far as ESPN naming Sid the NHL player of the year? Much as I like Sid, I can't agree to that either. But like many have pointed out, it's fan voting so what does that even mean. How many times did Mario put up numbers far better than Gretzky (once he left Edmonton, when his numbers mysteriously declined) but people still looked at Gretzky as the best player in the world. OV had better numbers last year but played more games than Sid. If you take points per game the two of them were neck to neck.

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I love OV too, and it was a great article to read. But I don't see how this makes him better than Crosby.

Many players train in July in the off season. Some players train at the end of June, and some players train all year around. None of us know if Crosby or any other superstar happens to be training right now. Far as ESPN naming Sid the NHL player of the year? Much as I like Sid, I can't agree to that either. But like many have pointed out, it's fan voting so what does that even mean. How many times did Mario put up numbers far better than Gretzky (once he left Edmonton, when his numbers mysteriously declined) but people still looked at Gretzky as the best player in the world. OV had better numbers last year but played more games than Sid. If you take points per game the two of them were neck to neck.

it doesn't make him better, but there's no way that Crosby should be the "face" of the nhl, when you have a guy like Ovechkin who is a superstar on the ice and hilarious off of it

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I love OV too, and it was a great article to read. But I don't see how this makes him better than Crosby.

Many players train in July in the off season. Some players train at the end of June, and some players train all year around. None of us know if Crosby or any other superstar happens to be training right now.

Oh, if Crosby was training right now, you know the hockey media would be all over it. So we can only assume that he's not training if the media isn't reporting it. :P

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Nice read O_H. (Still the continues winner of the scariest Avavtar award)

I have to admit that when the whole OV hype started I refused to jump on. The last season's end though really showed the level of player the young man is. Better then Crosby? HELL YES!!!!!!! That is just my opinion though. Crosby is nothing more then a media conglomerate, a decent player that never lives up to the hype. OV is a player that far exceeds his hype. I know we cannot here the article but it reads like OV does not even give a crap that Crosby is the NHL'S hero, he seems very content with being Washington's hero...

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Nice read O_H. (Still the continues winner of the scariest Avavtar award)

I have to admit that when the whole OV hype started I refused to jump on. The last season's end though really showed the level of player the young man is. Better then Crosby? HELL YES!!!!!!! That is just my opinion though. Crosby is nothing more then a media conglomerate, a decent player that never lives up to the hype. OV is a player that far exceeds his hype. I know we cannot here the article but it reads like OV does not even give a crap that Crosby is the NHL'S hero, he seems very content with being Washington's hero...

They are both in their early 20s. While Ovechkin has definitely lived up to the hype, Crosby has plenty of years left in him to "live up to the hype". I know he is focused on so much in the NHL, but the disliking or undervaluing of him by many on this board is hard to understand sometimes. He wouldn't have so much focus if reliable hockey sources as well as hockey fans didn't he wasn't one of the best in the game today. I know somebody will respond to me with Eric Lindros and how overall he probably was a "bust". Will Crosby do the same thing? Nobody knows, but to say he hasn't even lived up to the hype when he is only 20 years old is very pre-mature at best.

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Nice read O_H. (Still the continues winner of the scariest Avavtar award)

I have to admit that when the whole OV hype started I refused to jump on. The last season's end though really showed the level of player the young man is. Better then Crosby? HELL YES!!!!!!! That is just my opinion though. Crosby is nothing more then a media conglomerate, a decent player that never lives up to the hype. OV is a player that far exceeds his hype. I know we cannot here the article but it reads like OV does not even give a crap that Crosby is the NHL'S hero, he seems very content with being Washington's hero...

You must not watch hockey if you claim Crosby is just a 'decent' player.

All you people who are bitching that Ovechkin doesn't get the attention Crosby does...YOU are the cry babies.

Settle the f*** down - it still baffles me how worked up people get because they think Ovechkin doesn't get whats his. The guy is a multi-millionaire who couldn't care less what Crosby is doing right now.

Crosby is the 'face' of the NHL because Ovechkin looks like an ogre. He's Canadian and speaks perfect english, and I don't care if you think AO is better, they are both amazing players - so, if you were going to choose someone to market, who would you pick? A good looking Canadian boy who the ladies drool over and guys want to be? Or a mangled looking Russian who speaks broken english? Sure, its tough luck for AO and I like him as much as the next person does, but thats the way it works, and hey - they both get their millions. So whats the big deal?

I get so annoyed with all these Crosby sucks threads. I don't think there has ever been a player people ***** so much about, jesus.

This AO vs. 'Crysby' is such a tired argument, we all know we'd rather have Zetterberg anyways.

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They are both in their early 20s. While Ovechkin has definitely lived up to the hype, Crosby has plenty of years left in him to "live up to the hype". I know he is focused on so much in the NHL, but the disliking or undervaluing of him by many on this board is hard to understand sometimes. He wouldn't have so much focus if reliable hockey sources as well as hockey fans didn't he wasn't one of the best in the game today. I know somebody will respond to me with Eric Lindros and how overall he probably was a "bust". Will Crosby do the same thing? Nobody knows, but to say he hasn't even lived up to the hype when he is only 20 years old is very pre-mature at best.

Need I remind you that he just finished helping his team to the SC finals by leading them in scoring with 27 points in 20 games? I would say he has lived up to the hype just as much as AO - they both have Hart, Art Ross and L.B. Pearson trophies and Crosby has 16 fewer points then AO in 32 fewer games. Both of them have completely lived up to their hype.

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it doesn't make him better, but there's no way that Crosby should be the "face" of the nhl, when you have a guy like Ovechkin who is a superstar on the ice and hilarious off of it

Crosby is Canadian, Ovechkin is not. All those Canadian sportswriters are not going to name a Russian as "the face of the NHL"

Given a choice, I'd rather have Alex than Sydney, he's a lot "tougher".

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He's Canadian and speaks perfect english, and I don't care if you think AO is better, they are both amazing players - so, if you were going to choose someone to market, who would you pick? A good looking Canadian boy who the ladies drool over and guys want to be?

You have eyeballs in yer head?

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Why in the world are people talking about Crosby and AO's virginity when there is a youtube video up of Larionov's daughters? Sweet Jesus.

Carry on though

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You must not watch hockey if you claim Crosby is just a 'decent' player.

All you people who are bitching that Ovechkin doesn't get the attention Crosby does...YOU are the cry babies.

Settle the f*** down - it still baffles me how worked up people get because they think Ovechkin doesn't get whats his. The guy is a multi-millionaire who couldn't care less what Crosby is doing right now.

Crosby is the 'face' of the NHL because Ovechkin looks like an ogre. He's Canadian and speaks perfect english, and I don't care if you think AO is better, they are both amazing players - so, if you were going to choose someone to market, who would you pick? A good looking Canadian boy who the ladies drool over and guys want to be? Or a mangled looking Russian who speaks broken english? Sure, its tough luck for AO and I like him as much as the next person does, but thats the way it works, and hey - they both get their millions. So whats the big deal?

I get so annoyed with all these Crosby sucks threads. I don't think there has ever been a player people ***** so much about, jesus.

This AO vs. 'Crysby' is such a tired argument, we all know we'd rather have Zetterberg anyways.

yo id much rather be ovechkin than crosby hth

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Need I remind you that he just finished helping his team to the SC finals by leading them in scoring with 27 points in 20 games? I would say he has lived up to the hype just as much as AO - they both have Hart, Art Ross and L.B. Pearson trophies and Crosby has 16 fewer points then AO in 32 fewer games. Both of them have completely lived up to their hype.

Hey I'm in the exact mode of thinking that you are in regarding this, you didn't even have to start with the statistics. Sorry if my other post in this thread suggested otherwise.

Basically was responding to where one said Crosby hasn't lived up to the hype and I mentioned that he was only 20 years old. That is incredibly pre-mature to say that when he has plenty of years left in the NHL. The Eric Lindros bit I said just popped in my brain at the time, as he was one of the best guys in his prime but had injury problems and the like and never won a Cup, hence it being somewhat realistic to say he "underperformed" his career.

But I am totally with you and will again stress like in my original post that I do not understand all the Crosby hate on here half the time (in a neutral time period when Det-Pitt aren't playing each other obviously). Blame all the media outlets and things like that for hyping him, not Crosby himself. He doesn't have to apologize to any one of us fans for being one of the better players in the game right now.

And know this, if Datsyuk or Zetterberg were hyped to the max like Crosby is (and Ovechkin to a certain extent), I can bet you a lot of the responses will be something like...

"Well he's a damned good player, he deserves to be recognized and hyped up." And there would not be one shred of ranting and complaining that Datsyuk or Zetterberg is so hyped up. Guaranteed. You know why? Cause he would be a RED WING.

It is oh so bad for some athlete to have the majority of the media attention, much of it deserved because he is one of the best players in the game today, because he's on a different team? But if one of our own from our favorite team gets all the attention, it's all of a sudden all right? Convenient how that works. <_<

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