Alexander Ovechkin: Greatness

“You can have the best skill in the world, but he has lots of will and that’s why he’s great. You look at the great young players around the league, including our players that we have here, and it’s their will. That’s what separates great players from medium players.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Denis Savard, interview in Tim Sassone (October 11, 2008) "Can Hawks close gaps on Ovechkin?", Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois), p. 4.
About

World

“He's a great player. Everybody knows that. He's a very dangerous player, but if you limit his speed and time to make plays it's tough for anybody. It wasn't just me, it was the whole team playing well defensively against that line.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Zdeno Chara, interview in Rich Thompson (January 4, 2008) "Chara keeps star under wraps", Boston Herald.
About

Time , Speed

“I don't think about (being) the face of the NHL - I just enjoy my time right now. Playing in the NHL was my dream come true and I'm playing with great players. I feel trust and I'm happy because I'm having the time of my life.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Kevin McGran (October 28, 2006) "'Having the time of my life' - Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin says he loves to deliver hits and isn't averse to taking a few, either Rangers' Lundqvist's experiencing problems keeping the puck out this season, by Kevin McGran", The Toronto Star, p. E05.

Life , Dreams , Feeling , Thinking

“Alex, you just enjoy watching because he's like a bull in a china shop. And he does everything. He's got all the great skills, and he can run over you as well.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Bruce Boudreau, interview in Jill Painter (November 20, 2008) "The Pursuit of Happiness: Whether On or Off the Ice, Washington's Ovechkin Always Enjoys Himself", Los Angeles Daily News, p. C1.
About

“I don't want to play for a no-good team. I want to win. I want to be on a good team like we see right now. We have great young guys. We have great experienced guys. Everything goes up.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Bill Beacon (January 29, 2008) "Backstrom, Ovechkin combination promises bright future for Capitals", The Canadian Press.

Guy

“My coaches and teammates really trusted me and gave me a chance to improve. They would come to me after a game I didn't score and say, 'Hey, don't worry about it. Next game you'll score.' The guys were great. It's an unbelievable team. It feels like home for me.”

Alexander Ovechkin

The Canadian Press (June 23, 2006) "Ovechkin captures Calder Trophy; Russian sniper picked over Cole Harbour's Crosby", The Chronicle Herald, p. C4.

Guy , Feeling , Home , Game

“My dream has come true. I play with the great players and on a great team. I'm smiling and happy and enjoying the time of my life.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Canadian Press (October 27, 2006) "More than just the next superstar - Ovechkin's zest for life contagious with Capitals", The Record (Kitchner, Ontario, Canada), p. D2.

Life , Smile , Dreams , Time

“Everybody looks comfortable playing on the same line as Ovechkin because that guy is unbelievable. Everybody has said that Alex and Pavel Bure are kind of the same caliber of player, and I think I agree with them. They both scored 50 goals and both are unbelievable. Playing with Alex, you know he's a great player. So you just give him the puck and stay away from him and give him room to operate. It's that easy.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Viktor Kozlov, interview in Pierre Lebrun (October 10, 2007) "Viktor Kozlov making most of plum assignment with Alexander Ovechkin", The Canadian Press.
About

Guy , Thinking