Oshie Says Ovechkin’s Hugs Are So Tight He Thinks He May Need Medical

Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie has said time and time again that he doesn’t know anyone who loves to score goals more than Alex Ovechkin. But that doesn’t just apply to the Great 8; it’s for everyone.

Ahead of having his high school No. 19 raised to the rafters in his hometown of Warroad, Oshie joined The RInk Live podcast to discuss being Ovechkin’s teammate and had nothing but good things to say about the Capitals captain.

“I love that guy. He’s like a brother to me now,” Oshie said, adding, “For as good as he is… he’s just a big kid. Just a great teammate, kind of a joker. He’s not shy to sing Britney Spears in the back of the bus. He’s just kind of a big goof, and he’s great.”

Although Ovechkin’s a fun-loving guy, Oshie said the 36-year-old is a vocal leader who looks out for his team.

“He takes really good care of the guys. If anyone’s voice carries a lot of weight, it’s his… It’s been a real treat playing for him,” Oshie added.

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Not only does Ovechkin bring leadership to the table, but passion and heart for the game he loves — to the point where it even hurts a bit.

“I’ve never seen someone who loves to score goals like this guy,” Oshie noted, laughing, “He has come and hugged me so hard that maybe I need the medical guys to take a look at my head or check out how the shoulder’s doing because there might be a slight AC separation. He’s just one of a kind.”

On the ice, Ovechkin has continued to climb up all-time lists and rewrite the NHL record books. This past season, he passed Jaromir Jagr as the highest-scoring European in NHL history, and he climbed all the way from sixth on the NHL’s all-time goals list to third. The Great 8 currently has 780 goals and needs 115 more to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record and set the new number at 895.

“Every day I see him at the rink, I have just the biggest smile on his face because I don’t know what’s gonna happen next,” Oshie smiled.