# Protesters Target Alex Ovechkin Over Ties to Vladimir Putin in Ottawa Demonstrators demand entry ban for NHL star due to his public support for Russia. - **Source:** [Toronto Sun](https://torontosun.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5b919290-de1d-4a6b-86b9-327bbfdc3451 ## Protest Outside Arena A group of approximately ten protesters gathered outside the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The demonstration aimed to voice opposition against Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin entering Canada. Protesters specifically cited his ongoing public support for Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. ## UCC Demands Entry Ban The Ukrainian Canadian Congress organized the rally after previously appealing to the federal government to bar Ovechkin from Canada. The organization labeled him a promoter of Russia’s actions against Ukraine. They argued that allowing his entry contradicts efforts to hold supporters of the Russian regime accountable for the ongoing conflict. ## Political Ties Scrutinized Criticism intensified earlier this year when Ovechkin appeared in a campaign advertisement for the United Russia party. He was featured alongside Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and former hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov. Ovechkin has a long history of political involvement, including founding the Putin Team social movement in 2017 to support the president. ## Moral Stain Allegations Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, described the NHL’s celebration of Ovechkin as a moral stain. She stated that the league’s inaction does not absolve the Canadian government of its responsibility to enforce laws. The group maintains that national security and legal standards should supersede professional sports league policies. ## Ovechkin Responds to Criticism When asked about the protest, Ovechkin told reporters he only heard about the event that morning. He stated he did not know what to say regarding the demonstration. Previously, he has claimed he supports his country as a Russian citizen and expressed a general hope for peace and love worldwide. ## International Hockey Debate The protest coincides with a broader debate regarding Russian athletes in international hockey. The Court of Arbitration for Sport recently upheld an appeal allowing Russian athletes to compete globally. This decision mandates that the International Ice Hockey Federation permit Russian participation in upcoming world championship events despite ongoing security and safety concerns. ## Government Stance on Juniors Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed that Russian athletes will not compete at next month’s world juniors in Alberta. However, the situation remains fluid, as Norway’s hockey governing body recently reported being bumped from the tournament in favor of Russia. This creates uncertainty regarding the enforcement of the government's stated ban. ## Future of International Play Ovechkin weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that fans prioritize seeing the best players on the ice. He noted that spectators want to watch future stars and elite talent regardless of political tensions. The conflict between athletic participation and geopolitical sanctions remains a significant challenge for international sports governing bodies moving forward. ## Sources covering this story - https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/capitals-star-alex-ovechkin-protested-in-ottawa — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._