Alex Ovechkin discusses what's next after breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal record

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Gabriel Sami
July 27, 2024 (4:04 PM)

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Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin recently shared his future plans following his anticipated achievement of surpassing Wayne Gretzky's goal record.

In a detailed interview with sports.ru, Ovechkin discussed various topics, including his off-season activities, training camp, post-NHL plans, and addressed speculation about a potential role as Russia's Sports Minister.

Ovechkin first expressed that he has no plans to retire as long as he continues to enjoy the game. He admitted that the off-season is particularly challenging for him, as he dreads the process of getting back into shape after summer:

"As long as I enjoy [playing], as long as I get a thrill out of it, there's no point in finishing. The hardest period is after vacation. You've played volleyball, gone to the gym for fun, and when you come out [from vacation], you need to run cross-country, lift heavy weights, go on a diet. And then you think: 'Why do I need this, I have everything, I have enough of everything.' But after three to four days of suffering like that, you get into a routine and realize that you still love this business. If I didn't love it, I would have finished already.

I hate preseason. I really hate it. I don't like to just train. This is the hardest thing. Imagine, you arrived after your vacation, you have a tan, everything is fine, you're happy. And your coach calls you and says, 'Well, Sash? Tomorrow we begin training.' You go to training, then rest, then another training session. I hate it, I can't stand it."

Ovechkin also mentioned his preference for staying in Russia and his plans to leave North America after his NHL career concludes:

"In Russia, all my friends, relatives, Nastya's relatives are here too. I feel more comfortable in Russia at the moment than there. [When] our season is ending, and we want to fly home right away because we miss home, our family, our friends.

I'm building a new house, in the Moscow region. I hope we'll move next year. A normal little house. I won't say how many square meters. Why do I need to know? I'll invite you to visit. You'll leave the camera outside the house."

He also discussed the possibility of becoming a minister after retirement:

"I am not ready to answer whether I am ready and want to become a minister,» Ovechkin said. «It is hard � you will not see your family again, you are on the road. It would be better if I came to your show every day.

It will be hard for me to change Throughout my entire conscious life I have been waking up, training, playing, and at some point it will all end, I will have to find another way. But we will go, we will search, but what to do?

At 40, sitting on the couch, drinking and watching TV, YouTube is not an option. It's not for me. I need to do something and develop somehow.

When I leave America, I will miss hockey. My childhood dream was to go to the NHL, not to America. I could have ended up in Canada. I can easily say that Washington is my second home, I feel comfortable there. Everyone knows me there, everyone loves me, I know and love everyone there. But home is home."

Ovechkin is just 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's legendary record, and fans are eager to see him achieve this milestone next season.

Source: Hockey Patrol
Alex Ovechkin reveals his plans after beating Wayne Gretzky's goal record

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JUILLET 27 \| 109 ANSWERS Alex Ovechkin discusses what's next after breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal record Do you believe Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky's record this season?
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