On Tuesday, Gillette announced a multi-year partnership with Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals’ superstar is now the company’s ambassador for Russia and Eastern Europe. Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog has reported that Ovi will join such international sports icons as New York Yankee’ aging shortstop Derek Jeter and British rugby player Jonny Wilkinson in representing the company.

Well, last night I caught glimpse of Ovi’s first Gillette commercial, which has dropped in Moscow. Check it out!

The dialogue of the commercial is as follows:

There’s a superstition that you can’t shave before the important games [Ed. Note – Peter knows this better than anyone else]. This is a great excuse for a hockey player with sensitive skin! But with Gillette Series Aftershave Balm, you won’t feel dry or tightened skin anymore. The new balm’s formula with aloe vera moistens skin after shaving. So from now on, use Gillette, and have no superstitions!

A few notes: First, the colors of the Gillette jersey are terrible. It reminds me of the New York Islanders’ sweaters, and that is not a team you want to be emulating.

Second, does this mean no playoff beard for Ovi? When asked by the popular Russian-language sports portal Sportbox, Sasha had this to say:

I haven’t decided yet how I will groom myself for the playoffs – maybe I’ll shave or maybe I will grow beard. We have an agreement with Gillette to observe sacred traditions. But it’s too early to talk about it – we need to make the playoffs first!

Great non-answer. Being among the politicians in D.C. has paid off.

So finally, for our readers, we must end our post with an important question. Which edition of the Capitals captain do you like better? The clean-shaven Ovi or the unkempt one? Let us know in the comments blow.