Capitals forwards Andre Burakovsky and Alex Ovechkin have a touchy feely relationship, including a warmup tradition that features aggressive collar-grabbing and yelling.
Wednesday, we learned that the two players’ pregame routine gets even more bizarre than this. In an interview with the NHLPA, Burakovsky said that his strangest gameday superstition
is Alex Ovechkin “biting me before every game.”
And if you don’t believe me, Andre wrote it out in his own handwriting.
Burakovsky first mentioned the biting in a paywalled interview with Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter last May, where he mentioned Ovechkin specifically bit his arm.
Here’s Ovi mid-bite from the Stadium Series game.
Here's the first known photo of Alex Ovechkin biting Andre Burakovsky. The pic was taken by @smel18 at the Caps' Stadium Series game last March. More on this bizarre biting superstition here: https://t.co/GDeE5HGVrB pic.twitter.com/J0bDb2KSVu
— RMNB (@russianmachine) November 7, 2018
Burra returned the favor.
And this 👀 pic.twitter.com/nfkxRRxk5s
— Mel (@smel18) November 7, 2018
And video!
Thanks to elizabeth.nutwell on Instagram, we now have video of Andre Burakovsky biting Alex Ovechkin. Confused? Here's more about the weirdest Caps superstition ever. https://t.co/GDeE5HGVrB pic.twitter.com/CjErPUwk4G
— RMNB (@russianmachine) November 7, 2018
Now I’m concerned Ovi has rabies. No wonder the flu spreads so quickly on this team.
We also have a GIF of Burakovksy biting Devante Smith-Pelly pregame so it’s not just an Ovi/Burkie thing.
Other interesting responses from Burakovsky’s NHLPA questionnaire reveal his deep love and respect for his father, Robert Burakovsky, who once played 23 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators.
Burakovsky’s favorite hockey memory is a great choice.
The Swedish forward named Tom Wilson the team’s best locker room DJ.
Finally, Burakovsky listed his most prized possession as his apartment, which is technically not a possession because you don’t own an apartment, but whatever.
