Alexander Ovechkin is one of the greatest Russian athletes and goal-scorers in NHL history. Ovechkin’s presence is enough to put the audience under extra pressure. The 37-year-old has always been passionate about sports, although Ovechkin’s childhood obsession with hockey often created tough times for his parents. 

In February 2022, Sport24 aired an interview with Ovechkin’s parents revealing interesting information about the upbringing of the hockey superstar.  

Alexander Ovechkin nearly made his parents’ flight impossible

Ovechkin’s parents, Mikhail and Tatiana talked about his passion for hockey. He had understood the core techniques at an early age such as, how the curvature of the hockey stick makes a big difference. He would heat the stick in the kitchen to give it the perfect curve. His mother said, “He would heat the blades of his sticks in the kitchen and bend them to give the curve he wanted”

Further, she revealed a hilarious incident from his childhood when they were supposed to leave for a flight. The couple had left their passport in the kitchen area and were arranging the luggage. While in the kitchen, the Great Eight, accidentally hit a bottle of sunflower oil which spilled over their passports. “We wake up in the morning and see the passports are drenched in sunflower oil”, Tatiana recalled. 

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However, they made it to their flight and managed to get the new passports on time. “I had to go to Dynamo and ask them to get me new passports”, his mother revealed.

Alexander Ovechkin received constructive advice from his parents

Alexander Ovechkin’s parents were his constant support system. The couple realized their child’s talent very early and motivated him to work harder in life. His father said, “Sometimes he would even practice two or three times per day”. They always kept a balance between  Ovechkin’s studies and sports.  

Mikhail and Tatiana were also the hockey legends’ critics as they closely watched his game. The couple would discuss their son’s performance and provide him with constructive feedback. “We would analyze his games – it didn’t matter if he won or lost”, the couple told the interviewer.

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