Alex Ovechkin was a guest on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show as the Washington Capitals were boarding their team plane and preparing to take flight for Long Island, Monday afternoon.
Before talking about himself and how he became the NHL’s new goals king, Ovechkin, who was FaceTiming into the show, introduced each and every one of his teammates to McAfee and his contributors.
“All the boys watching right now, so let me introduce to everybody,” Ovechkin said.
During this process, Ovechkin revealed the personal nicknames he’s given every player on the team.
Ovi’s nicknames for the 2024-25 Capitals
Dylan McIlrath: Big Mac
Matt Roy: Roysie
Pierre-Luc Dubois: Dubie
Andrew Mangiapane: Madge
Logan Thompson: LT
Ryan Leonard: Little Kid Leno
Tom Wilson: Thom Wilson
Clay Stevenson: Another guy
Connor McMichael: Jesus
Ethen Frank: Frankenstein
Alex Alexeyev: Big Al
Anthony Beauvilier: Bowl
Taylor Raddysh: Raddy
Brandon Duhaime: Doggy
John Carlson: Captain America
Dylan Strome: D
Lars Eller: Businessman (because he’s always on his phone)
Rasmus Sandin: Mus Is Loose
Martin Fehervary: Tain
The only nickname that didn’t come through was Charlie Lindgren, who talked over Ovechkin to tell McAfee, “Massive fans!” We will forgive Lindgren this one time and assume his nickname is Chuckie.
After walking up and down the plane, Ovechkin explained that it was important to introduce his teammates and give them the spotlight, too, because he would have never broken Wayne Gretzky’s goals record without them.
“Well, uh, be honest with you, before this season, obviously last year, like no one thought it can be happen because 894 it’s huge number, right?” Ovechkin said. “But as soon as I get closer and closer, closer and closer, closer and closer, I have so much attention. It’s been crazy, to be honest with you. Attentions, media, fans. Yeah, it was something nuts. Overall, it was great for hockey because everybody’s talking about hockey, Wayne Gretzky — the greatest player to play hockey. It was great.
“I started believing when I was three or four goals (away),” he added. “Okay, like maybe can happen. Obviously, I break my leg during the year, and I was like, ‘Okay, maybe next year. Maybe one more year.’ Overall, that’s why I introduce my team. Those guys, without them, I would never reach that milestone and I would never reach that great accomplish. Obviously, without my family as well, my wife, my mom, and support from my fans.”
The Capitals were leaving the airport ahead of their final two games of the regular season, both on the road, against the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Most importantly, Ovechkin confirmed his bag was secured. “I have my Cheetos and Subway with me!”
