Ovechkin Reacts To All-Star Game Selection, Plans To Attend

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin earned a selection to the NHL All-Star Game, and he's looking forward to getting to participate in this year's festivities down in Florida.

The left winger spoke with Mike Vogel to discuss his selection to the game and said that it's an honor to be selected for the franchise-record 13th time. He also intends to play and participate fully in the weekend after missing the last three years. He skipped the 2019 and 2020 games, and in 2022, tested positive for COVID-19 and could not attend. Tom Wilson took his place last season.

"Obviously last year, I got COVID and we all want to go to Vegas, but unfortunately situation happens, so we can't go," Ovechkin said. "But this time in Florida, it’s always nice to be selected obviously. Going to spend time with the best players in the league you know, and talk to them, spend time on the ice and have fun."

Ovechkin also looked back at his first-ever All-Star selection back in 2007 and the emotions that came with it. At the time, it felt like a "dream come true," and now, 15 years later, he is named to the roster following a historic year that saw him become the second-leading goal scorer in NHL history.

"Back then, like first time, it was another dream come true, you know?" Ovechkin explained. "You wanna be part of that, you wanna feel the atmosphere, you want to feel how to be in the All-Star Game. And obviously, it’s pretty fun moment.

READ MORE ON WHN: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Announce Community Initiatives, "Ovi's Office" Logo To Be Placed On D.C. Rinks

"When you get selected, it's a special moment. It means the league appreciates [you], fans appreciate [you] and it's fun," he added.

At the end of the interview, Ovechkin also campaigned for his longtime teammate, Evgeny Kuznetsov, telling fans to "vote for Kuzy." Kuznetsov earned a trip to Vegas last year following a standout bounceback season in 2021-22, and he has been strong for Washington this season as well, leading the team in assists.