For many years in the USA there is a tradition according to which the champion team of the national sports league is honored to visit the White House and hold a meeting with the president. Winners of tournaments in American football, basketball, baseball and hockey regularly made visits to the residence of the head of state, but lately several similar events have been canceled at once.
So, the NBA team “Golden State Warriors” and the NFL team “Philadelphia Eagles” refused to talk with Donald Trump. But the players of the NHL club “Washington Capitals” did not deprive themselves of such an opportunity.
To gallery page
Holders of the Stanley Cup season 2017/18 arrived at the White House almost at full strength. Only Canadians Brayden Holtby, Devante Smith-Pelli and Brett Connolly refused to participate in the event. All the Russian legionnaires of “Washington” - Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov - did not miss the chance to talk with the US president.
Of course, Captain Captain Ovechkin was in the spotlight. Long before the appointed date, Alexander did not hide the desire to communicate with Trump and noted that "there may not be such a chance anymore." In particular, the forward admitted that he would like to ask the head of the White House when relations between Russia and the United States will be improved.
Trump received the hockey players of “Washington” in the Oval Office. Athletes put on appropriate event costumes, and Ovechkin even shaved his beard, which in recent years has become an integral part of his image. The players encircled the head of state’s table in such a way that the whole top three of Russians were at the right hand of the president.
First of all, Trump congratulated the capital's hockey players on last year’s success, and particularly warmly welcomed Ovechkin.
"Thank you very much. This is a great honor for me, because I am a hockey fan and a Capitals fan. I am also a fan of him (at this moment Donald patted Alexander on the arm. - RT ). I just have no choice, because Ovechkin is something special. Look at his hands, ”Trump said.
The US president noted that last year Capitals made an incredible achievement and called Ovechkin one of the main creators of success.
“You had a wonderful season, during which you took over your old rivals and current champions Pittsburgh Penguins.” A special athlete led you to victory, a great player - captain Alex Ovechkin. Where is Ivanka? She is his friend and a big fan. He is called Alexander the Great. He spent his entire career in “Washington”, his hard work and dedication to the team paid off, “- said the American leader.
Trump also commented on Ovechkin’s sniper achievements. In particular, he recalled that over the past season, Alexander scored 64 goals at his own expense, and compared it with the legendary baseball player, Babe Ruth.
“It seems that in one season he had more home runs than anyone else. Otherwise he was not a very good server. Ovechkin was recognized as the most valuable player (MVP) of the playoffs, it was easy. No one else deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy. Alex, congratulations. After a couple of weeks, we will again watch your performance in the playoffs. I have no doubt that your team will be great, ”Trump continued.
Trump also noted the merits of John Karlsson, who set the club's record for the number of points in the playoffs among the defenders. An American scored 20 points in the Stanley Cup.
“It's great, isn't it? I remember playing Bobby Orr. He was also a great offensive defender, ”the president said.
Kuznetsov also deserves special thanks from the American leader. Trump recalled that in the fourth match with Vegas Golden Knights, the Russian repeated the league record in the number of assists in the match of the final series of the Stanley Cup. Then Eugene four times acted as an assistant.
"Eugene? Where is he? Look how young. You managed to assemble a truly amazing team, ”admitted Trump, referring to the owner of“ Washington ”Ted Leonissu.
In conclusion, the US president wished the Capitals good luck in the current playoff draw and asked the players to win the Stanley Cup as soon as possible.
“You have the hearts of champions, a fantastic owner. Good luck to Washington. Now everyone is talking about it, I can not get people to be distracted by other things. So you need to win as soon as possible, because we need to return to normal work. I think you will achieve fantastic success. It is a great honor for us to host you, ”concluded Trump.
After Leones’s short speech, in which he thanked Trump for his hospitality and expressed hope that Capitals could become NHL champions for the second consecutive year, the president suggested Ovechkin to say a few words.
“It is a great honor for us to be here. We will try to do it again by winning the Stanley Cup. We have the same, but already experienced team. Let's try again, ”said Ovechkin.
Then Trump once again shook Ovechkin’s hand, after which the captain of the Capitals and the American leader exchanged a few words. Before leaving, Washington hockey players presented the head of state with a hockey club sweater, as well as a gold stick decorated with a dedication letter. In particular, the date of the final meeting of the final series with Vegas is written on it.