Ovechkin Reacts To NHL All-Star Game Selection: ‘Huge Honor, Huge Privilege’

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is officially Vegas-bound for the 2022 NHL All-Star Game and is excited to get to work as the Metropolitan Division captain.

The 36-year-old earned 30.4 percent of the fan vote and has also been having one of the best seasons of his already legendary career, ranking third overall in NHL scoring with 24 goals and 52 points in 37 games. He also continues to make history and now sits fourth on the NHL’s all-tiem goals list (754) and also set the NHL’s all-time power-play goals record (275).

Ovechkin caught up with Mike Vogel to discuss his franchise-record 12th career NHL All-Star Game selection, saying that getting to wear the “C” is something that he is proud to do.

“Thank you very much fans. Obviously, it’s huge honor for me to get that captaincy and you know, shows respect from the fans,” Ovechkin told Vogel. “Obviously it’s huge honor, huge privilege and it’s gonna be fun.

“It’s privilege. It doesn’t matter if you voted by fan or the league select you, it’s privilege, it’s representing your team, yourself, and obviously, have fun with the best players out there on the ice,” he added. “It’s pretty cool moment.”

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The NHL All-Star Weekend will be from Feb. 4-5 and feature the Skills Competition and annual 3-on-3 tournament — as well as some pretty nice jerseys. Ovechkin was the only Capitals player selected to the NHL All-Star Game roster. This is the fifth time he has been voted as the Metro Division captain.

This is set to be Ovechkin’s eighth NHL All-Star Game appearance and his first as a father. He will also get to have that experience in the same city he won the Stanley Cup in.

“Yeah, I think it’s gonna be pretty cool. It’s like a nightclub out there,” Ovechkin laughed. “So most important thing there is have fun.”

As for a sneak-peak at what he’ll bring to the skills competition, the Great 8 didn’t reveal much. However, he did hint at some more action as a playmaker, something he has been excelling at this season.

“We’ll see,” Ovechkin smiled.