The ruling is still out on whether NHL players will be able to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, but today at media day for the World Cup of Hockey, Caps captain Alex Ovechkin made it clear to Pierre LeBrun that the ruling won’t affect his decision.

He will be there.

I asked Ovechkin twice, the 2nd time to be sure, and he said his plan would be to play in South Korea 2018 regardless if NHL there or not

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 15, 2016

And to be clear, Ovechkin wasn't militant about it. Just answered the question matter of factly. He loves playing in the Olympics

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 15, 2016

Ovechkin has felt this way in the past, specifically about the Sochi Olympics and received support from Capitals owner, Ted Leonsis.

Video

Alex Ovechkin on 2018 Olympics: "I WILL go there…"

— "Maybe I won’t be in the NHL, maybe I’ll be retired." pic.twitter.com/7kgj6hCPhU

— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) September 16, 2016

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