TIRED OF BEING a sporting spectator, Alexander Ovechkin is reportedly packing his hockey kit bag in anticipation of a some game time with Dynamo Moscow.
The Washington Capitals franchise star made his last meaningful contribution on the ice in May as he inspired Russia to a World Championship victory.
It followed a season that ended with ‘Ovie’ – ever the supernova performer – having less on-ice time but embracing the Capitals’ team ethic in a strong play-off push.
He turned cheerleader over the summer as he showed up at Wimbledon in support of girlfriend Maria Kirilenko during London 2012.
The Russian would have hoped to be playing pre-season ice hockey by now but a pay and rights disagreement with the NHL owners have led to a lock-out and no top-flight hockey in North America for the foreseeable future.
Homeward bound
Russian newspaper Sport-Express has reported that Ovechkin will join up with Dynamo, his former club, to play in the Kontinental Hockey League.
He played for the Moscow-based side for four years before securing his move to the Capitals in 2005.
If the deal goes through, the 27-year-old will join fellow NHL stars Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk in making the move to Russia to secure games in a meaninful competition.
The NHL and the NHL Players Association have planned further meetings about securing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement on Wednesday.
