OTTAWA — Ukrainian Canadians plan to protest outside Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday as Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals visit the Senators.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is organizing the rally to protest the star Russian hockey player’s support for President Vladimir Putin.
The group is also backing calls for Canada to impose sanctions on Ovechkin over his ties to the Russian leader.
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer appeared in a campaign ad for Putin’s political party in September.
Ovechkin has previously expressed support for Putin but called for an end to war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Tuesday’s game marks the 41-year-old’s first visit to Canada since announcing he’ll retire at the end of his 22nd NHL season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2026.
The Canadian Press









