Ovechkin says Russians want to play for their country

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin stated that Russian athletes desire to represent their country in international competition. His comments follow a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling requiring the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russia. While Ovechkin expressed that fans want to see the best players, he declined to weigh in on the political controversy surrounding the decision, as Canadian officials have indicated they may deny visas to Russian players for upcoming tournaments.