Alex Ovechkin will participate in one more exhibition match before heading back to Washington DC in September. The Capitals captain will join Pavel Datsyuk’s ‘Magic Game’ on August 30 at Yekaterinburg’s UGMK Arena, following his recent appearance in the Ovi Cup gala match.
Connection Between Ovechkin and Datsyuk Revives on Ice
Earlier, at the Ovi Cup, Ovechkin played opposite Datsyuk, who led the rival team. The two shared a memorable conversation during that event, which has made Ovechkin eager to attend the upcoming game. Ovechkin confirmed his participation, stating,
“Yes, I will definitely fly to Pasha [in Yekaterinburg],”
and added,
“I can’t miss this day, especially since we had a wonderful conversation with Datsyuk when he played in the gala match in Mytishchi at the Ovechkin Cup.”
Star-Studded Lineup Will Highlight the Magic Game
The event promises to be a major reunion of hockey talent, featuring former Capitals teammates Alex Semin, Sergei Fedorov, and Ilya Kovalchuk, all of whom have confirmed their presence. Additional notable players expected to participate include Sergei Gonchar, Viacheslav Fetisov, Kirill Kaprizov, Alexander Radulov, Nikita Gusev, Alexey Morozov, Danis Zaripov, Sergey Mozyakin, and Valeri Kamensky. Pavel Datsyuk also mentioned that Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are considering attending, although his close friend Henrik Zetterberg will not join, citing concerns about traveling to Russia.
He was afraid to go to Russia, like many foreigners,
Datsyuk said.
Event Details and Special Jerseys Highlight the Occasion
Tickets for the exhibition went on sale recently, with players slated to wear unique burgundy and beige retro jerseys inspired by the 2014 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL Winter Classic sweaters. This design choice aims to evoke nostalgia and enhance the spectacle for fans and players alike. Datsyuk expressed enthusiasm about the event, saying,
“We are looking forward to this day and are sure that it will be memorable for all fans and hockey players,”
and added,
“Our hockey jersey will become an important part of these memories.”
Ovechkin’s Offseason Appearances and Future Plans
This game will be Ovechkin’s third big exhibition of the offseason, following his appearances at the annual Match of the Year charity event in July where he scored a goal and engaged fans with a t-shirt gun. The Magic Game is expected to be his last exhibition before Washington Capitals’ training camp begins next month. Reports indicate that Ovechkin will return to the United States in early September to prepare for the upcoming NHL season.