Today is Alex Ovechkin’s 31st birthday. To celebrate, Team Russia players filmed a special video and extended their well wishes for The Great Eight. Two-time Stanley Cup champion and forever Penguins rival Evgeni Malkin had some especially nice things to say.
Video
Как сборная поздравляла Александра Овечкина с днём рождения. Видео дня! #redmachine #MadeInRussia #WCH2016 pic.twitter.com/xKBAEcsBWk
— Хоккей России (@russiahockey) September 17, 2016
The first half of the video features half of the team playing coy and pretending not to know what to say. Then the standard birthday wishes begin, starting with Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Towards the end, Malkin, addressing Ovechkin, says “I hope you set many new records and definitely win the Stanley Cup.”
Caps Russians Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov also make appearances. Kuzy says, “I wish you all the best.” Orly jokingly instructs the cameraman to “let Vasya talk,” referring to Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Ovechkin spent the night before celebrating his birthday with his wife and close friends.
Ovechkin’s wife Nastya also wrote something sweet on Instagram.
My love, my most caring gentle and understanding, I want you to remain as you are now forever – just like you are, just like your parents brought you up. You are a great friend, a caring son, a good brother, and the best husband. Thank you for everyday I spend with you and I’m happy just having the thought that this is how its going to be for the rest of our lives. You know how much I love you and I will not stop saying that everyday many times. Be healthy and I promise to do everything I can do to make you happy. Happy Birthday, my husband. #mybirthdayman
Saturday morning, Ovechkin posted another picture from when he was a baby.
Many other friends wished the Russian machine happy birthday.
@aleksandrovechkinofficial , Happy Birthday 2u!!!! #ДеньРождения #happybirthday #Овечкин #ovi #8
Translations by Igor Kleyner.
