Alex Ovechkin took a leave of absence from the Washington Capitals on Tuesday due to the health of a family member. The Russian outlet Match TV reported that Ovi’s father, Mikhail, required “urgent hospitalization” after falling ill and the Capitals captain was returning to Moscow.
Today, Ovi announced that his beloved and full-of-personality dad has passed away. Mikhail was 71.
“Today I lost my father,” Ovechkin wrote on Instagram. “I thank everyone for the support but please be understanding and do not disturb my family in this difficult time for us! Thank you.”
According to a Russian report from Vitaly Kosik of Sport-Express, Mikhail was originally hospitalized on January 10 with an aortic dissection which is a tear that occurs in the inner layer of the body’s main artery (aorta). During the examination of that problem, doctors found a malignant neoplasm — a cancerous tumor. The Russian Hockey Federation says Mikhail died due to illness.
Mikhail, a former professional soccer player and later a taxi driver, had a huge impact on his son’s hockey carer, taking him to his skates as a kid.
“He had to get on the ice by 7 AM, then leave for school,” Mikhail said in an interview in 2015. “There was another practice with the team after lunch. Then we had an extra practice if the ice was available.”
Mikhail called Ovi going on to be drafted first overall by the Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft his “most pleasant moment.”
😥😥😥
I took this picture on Draft Day 2004 and was able to give Alex a copy at the STH event. I debated doing that – I'm glad I did. RIP Papa Ovechkin. He was a sweet, sweet man. pic.twitter.com/xsIhnEePL3
— (((Andrea Neuman))) (@dee4077) February 15, 2023
A frequent bubbly presence at Capital One Arena, Mikhail spent the last few years watching his son’s games from afar in Moscow due to his failing health. Mikhail and his longtime wife Tatyana, a two-time Olympic basketball player, stayed up well into the morning to watch their son pass Gordie Howe for second on the NHL’s all-time goals list.
“Of course, Sasha’s dad and I watched the game,” Tatyana said in December. “We are very pleased, the festive ceremony also turned out to be very beautiful. Sasha – well done, that he has surpassed another achievement.
“After the game, as usual, we phoned our son, congratulated each other, this is a tradition for us,” Ovechkina continued. “We always communicate.”
When Tatyana and Mikhail did attend Capitals games, they sat away from each other, such as during their son’s milestone 500th career goal.
“That’s the way we like it,” Tatyana said. “I always like sitting by myself so that no one bothers me.”
“I like being with the crowd,” Mikhail said.
“And Papa loves being with the crowds, surrounded by fans and all his friends saying ‘Mikhail, hi! Hi, Mikhail!’” Tatyana said in a dismissive tone. “I like sitting alone so that no one bothers me. I stay focused on the game and watch it carefully. And it’s always like that — in basketball and my games as well. I’m always alone. I do not like it very much if someone I know sits next to me. That’s how it is.”
They eventually became seat buddies again in 2017 during the Capitals-Penguins playoff series. Ovi scored in the game.
Mikhail and his wife first met in 1968 when he asked Tatyana for money to buy ice cream.
“I was with a friend of mine and her boyfriend,” Tatyana recalled. “Then some soccer player comes up to us. I had just come from Bulgaria, looked all trendy and stylish, with a nice handbag. I had loose coins clanging inside of it. He says jokingly, ‘Lady, would you treat me to some ice cream?'”
Over the summer, Alex played in a soccer game with Dynamo Moscow and wore the number three in honor of his father. Ovi scored a goal and tallied a huge hit.
“My father played for Dynamo Moscow and was injured,” Ovechkin said then of the tribute. “And today this match was more for him than for me.”
Mikhail, who attended the game with the rest of the Ovechkin family, said it was a dream come true for himself personally.
“We are all happy. And me, and my mother, and all relatives,” he said. “Yes, this is true happiness.”
Dynamo Moscow’s soccer team released a statement after Mikhail’s death.
“Mikhail Viktorovich played for football Dynamo and raised a true Dynamo player and one of the greatest athletes in history,” the club wrote on Instagram. “Uncle Misha, thank you for everything! Rest in peace.”
Our hearts go out to Ovi, Tatyana, and the rest of his family during this very difficult time.
