RT-Engels: 19-01-2026,
Washington Capitals star has declined to take part in Pride Night symbolism during NHL game
Alexander Ovechkin, a Russian hockey legend who plays for the Washington Capitals, has refused to participate in a National Hockey League (NHL) event in support of the LGBT community.
The Capitals hosted their annual Pride Night during a game against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Several players wrapped their hockey sticks with rainbow-coloured tape ahead of the matchup.
Ovechkin took the ice using traditional white tape on his stick, staying true to his previous rejection of virtue-signalling.
The Capitals lost to the Panthers with a score of 2–5. Coach Spencer Carbery said after the game it was a “great night to celebrate Pride… Wish we could’ve gotten the win for tonight.”
The NHL introduced Pride Night events more than two decades ago. The use of LGBT specialty gear was briefly banned in 2023 after several Russian players refused to wear rainbow-themed sweaters, citing religious beliefs. The league later overturned restrictions on the use of rainbow-coloured tape, allowing players to decide individually whether to use it during games.
At the time, the Washington Capitals captain praised the league’s leadership for not imposing sanctions on players who declined to participate in Pride Night symbolism. “Well, what can I say here?” Ovechkin said. “Well done. It should be like this everywhere.”
Ovechkin made history last year when he scored his 895th regular-season goal in the NHL,