Russia-Ukraine war: Alex Ovechkin finds sympathy from Capitals GM amid invasion

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Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan defended star forward Alex Ovechkin Wednesday amid pressure Russian players throughout the NHL are facing following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, saying he’s a "good person" who's been put in a "hard situation."

Ovechkin, a known supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was instantly placed in the spotlight last week after news of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine broke early Thursday morning. Since then, Ovechkin has had multiple sponsors distance themselves from him, including hockey equipment giant CCM and MassMutual, which said this week they will no longer feature him in marketing initiatives. 

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But MacLellan expressed sympathy for Ovechkin and other Russian players. 

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of a game at Capital One Arena Feb. 13, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

"It's difficult for all the Russian players in the league," MacLellan said via NBC Sports Washington "There's a lot of pressure put on them to have a political opinion either way, and they're trying to balance out how they live their lives and what their political opinions are and the repercussions that could happen back home."

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"[Ovechkin's] a good person, he's an emotional person, and he takes things personally," MacLellan added. "I think he's been put under an incredible amount of pressure. You know, for us, it's about how do we support him. 

"He's been the face