Alex Ovechkin is back on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
The Caps captain joined fellow teammates Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetzov, John Carlson, and Braden Holtby for an informal skate as the team prepares for training camp in the next several weeks.
In total, 22 players are back according to NBC Sports Washington’s JJ Regan.
In total, the #Caps have 19 skates, 3 goalies on the ice this morning including Ovi, Backstrom, Eller, Holtby, Samsonov and newcomer Nic Dowd.
— JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) September 4, 2018
Brooks Orpik, who recently had his day with the Stanley Cup, returned as well.
Among the veterans skating for Capitals today: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Eller, Carlson, Niskanen, Orpik, Djoos, Walker, Holtby.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 4, 2018
We also got a look at Ilya Samsonov and his new mask.
Oh hai, Samsonov. pic.twitter.com/am9yLn2bo9
— JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) September 4, 2018
Ovechkin spent the last half of his summer in Miami to fulfill sponsorship duties and be with his wife Nastya during the birth of their son Sergei. While he was in Florida, Ovi trained at the Panthers IceDen.
Ovechkin comes back a dad, and also new and improved. He’s been working out hard with his personal trainer Pavel and just recently go a new haircut.
Photo: @nastyashubskaya
Headline photo: @capitals
