During an off-season break without the usual All-Star Game pause, Alex Ovechkin chose to keep himself conditioned by training in Florida alongside a secret workout partner. That mystery trainer was unveiled as former <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL defenseman Darius Kasparaitis, who shared details of their sessions amid the 4 Nations Face-off tournament earlier this year.
Kasparaitis revealed the arrangement during his appearance on the Cam and Strick Podcast, explaining that Ovechkin had reached out to him asking if he could train together at Kasparaitis’ gym.
“When he came here during the 4 Nations tournament and texted me, ‘Can I come and train with you in the gym?’ I was like, ‘Wow, that’s cool,’”
Kasparaitis recalled. “So, that’s how we met.”
Training Sessions Mix Effort with Humor and Beer Breaks
The two former teammates met at a gym in North Miami, where Kasparaitis now lives and manages a real estate business. During their brief but intense training sessions, Kasparaitis joked about the challenge level:
“We did a couple training sessions. I killed them. He said that was too hard for him.”
Their workouts included on-ice and off-ice skating, but they also made time for lighter moments.
Kasparaitis shared a humorous anecdote about a spontaneous break, saying,
“[We] actually went skating after we did – off ice and on ice – and then Ovi said, ‘Can we stop at the gas station, I need a beer.’ I said, ‘That’s my boy!’”
Kasparaitis’ Hockey Background and Connection to Ovechkin
Darius Kasparaitis hails from Soviet Lithuania and has a distinguished hockey career, having played in the USSR before transitioning to the NHL. He earned the Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR title in 1992 and was inducted into the Russian and Soviet Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016. Over 14 NHL seasons, he recorded 163 points playing for four different teams. His playing years overlapped with Ovechkin’s early NHL career from 2005 to 2007 when Kasparaitis was with the New York Rangers.
The two have worked out together before their most recent Florida sessions. They were part of a larger group skating at Pines Ice Arena in Pembroke Pines, Florida, during the 2020 NHL restart after the COVID-19 pandemic halted play. Kasparaitis remains impressed by Ovechkin’s physical conditioning and competitive mindset despite their age difference.
“Physically, he’s a beast. I watch him train right now. He has a little belly now, but that’s okay, as long as he can score,”
Kasparaitis commented playfully.
“Ovi also have a good sense of humor, he always likes to be challenged. It doesn’t matter if I’m 50 and he’s 40, he always makes fun of me if I cannot do certain things, you know, he trash talks like I used to do.”
Training’s Role in Ovechkin’s Record-Breaking Season
The extra effort during these training sessions contributed to Ovechkin’s outstanding performance later in the season. It helped him reach Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record on April 6 and led the Washington Capitals to secure first place in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Ovechkin explained that the South Florida workouts were especially important after overcoming a broken fibula that sidelined him for 40 days.
He shared his thoughts with reporters upon returning to the Washington, D.C. area, saying,
“I think especially when I get hurt, I don’t skate much during that break, and it was hard to me, coming back on the ice.”
He added,
“I don’t want to lose that touch, lose that skating ability, so it was nice and thankful for him.”
Enduring Friendship and Training Beyond the Ice
This partnership reflects not only Ovechkin’s commitment to sustaining his elite level over a long career but also a genuine camaraderie between two players from different hockey eras. Kasparaitis’ experience and Ovechkin’s drive combined to create a training dynamic that balances hard work with moments of lightheartedness, like their memorable beer stop during practice.
As Ovechkin continues to chase historic milestones, this blend of intensity and humor with former teammate Kasparaitis could play a key role in extending his remarkable NHL tenure and maintaining his top form for seasons to come.