Alexander Ovechkin: Player

“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 obviously a dynamic player that you have to pay attention to when he's out there.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Mike Sullivan, interview in Agence France-Presse staff (April 11, 2006) "NHL Rookie Ovechkin reaches 100 point milestone", Agence France-Presse.
About

“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

“You can't just stand and say to yourself, 'OK, right now I'm the best. That's it. No more working.' If you're a good player you have to be working harder and harder. This is not just my goal, it's my team goal. We can improve more and we can probably be even better than last year. My dream is to be the best.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Helene Elliott (October 16, 2008) "Ovechkin Is Good for NHL, Bad for Opposing Goalies", Los Angeles Times.

Dreams

“He's a fantastic player. I don't know what else you guys can write about him, but he's the best I've ever played with.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Olie Kolzig, interview in The Capital staff (March 6, 2008) "March is meaningful for Ovechkin, Capitals", The Capital, Capital-Gazette Newspapers, p. C5.
About

Guy

“I have a lot of respect for Ovechkin as a player. I like his enthusiasm. I know the kid has a zest for life and a joy for the game.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Ryan Miller, interview in John Vogl (December 4, 2006) "Ovechkin's star eclipsed by few - Briere hit a rare misstep for Capitals' boy wonder", The Buffalo News, p. D7.
About

Life , Game , Joy

“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

“We're lucky we have personalities on this team. Outgoing guys. (Alexander) Ovechkin is our top player and he's a free spirit. We let them have fun. Maybe there comes a time we need to do something to get to the next step. We'll see. Nothing is forever.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Glen Hanlon, interview in Rich Chere (December 31, 2006) "Young Capitals playing a game within a game: ON THE NHL", The Star-Ledger, p. 13.
About

Guy , Time , Personality

“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

“He's one of the worst practice players I've played with. He rests and when the game comes, he flips the switch on. He plays a dominant physical style, so I think he just relaxes in practice and as a veteran player, I admire that.”

Alexander Ovechkin

Jeff Friesen, interview in Canadian Press (November 1, 2006) "The great debate rages on - Ovechkin vs. Phaneuf: Which one has greater impact for their team?", The Record (Kitchner, Ontario, Canada), p. E1.
About

Game , Thinking