Alex Ovechkin announced that he would be skipping the All-Star Game for the second straight year after the Capitals’ 2-1 overtime win over the Blue Jackets, Friday.
“Thanks, first of all, to fans for voting me,” Ovechkin said. “It’s a hard decision. I have to listen to my body. I have to get ready for the second half of the year. I have to be healthy and focus on different things. It’s hard decision obviously being captain in All-Star Game but I have to do what’s best for me and my team.”
Saturday, Darren Pang, a former NHL goaltender and current St. Louis Blues media personality, made a great suggestion on who should replace Ovechkin during All-Star Weekend: TJ Oshie.
Last thing we need at any All Star games are players that don’t want to be there, for whatever reasons.This may work out perfectly, as @TJOshie77 would be a fine replacement for the game, and fans in St.Louis. @NHL @StLouisBlues https://t.co/ECiak6MXMP https://t.co/BKG59oDyqB
— Darren R Pang (@Panger40) December 28, 2019
“Last thing we need at any All Star games are players that don’t want to be there, for whatever reasons. This may work out perfectly, as TJ Oshie would be a fine replacement for the game, and fans in St.Louis.”
This is a very good idea.
Oshie is tied with Jakub Vrana for second on the Capitals in goals (15) and is fifth on the team in points (27). Oshie is one of the most popular players in the league and a beloved former Blues player. If fans in St. Louis can’t see Ovi, there’s no one else from the Capitals that they’d rather see play than the Osh Babe.
Oshie made himself a household name during his time St. Louis when he beat the Russians singlehandedly in an Olympic shootout.
The feat earned praise from President Barack Obama.
Congrats to T.J. Oshie and the U.S. men's hockey team on a huge win! Never stop believing in miracles. #GoTeamUSA -bo
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) February 15, 2014
@WhiteHouse thanks for taking the time to reach out to me and my teammates. We appreciated the support!! #honored #USA
— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) February 28, 2014
When Oshie was eventually traded to the Capitals for Troy Brouwer, fans such as five-year-old Libby Lu took the news really hard.
When TJ first returned back to Enterprise Center in April 2016, the fan favorite got a huge ovation and this touching tribute video from the Blues.
Thank you, @TJOshie77.https://t.co/UkHkjkP1pC
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 10, 2016
Two years later, Oshie was a huge part of why the Capitals won the Stanley Cup. Despite all his accomplishments in the NHL, he has never been to an All-Star Game though.
This year, let’s change that.
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
