Breaking: Ovechkin pledges allegiance to Putin with bizarre social movement

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin made a bizarre public statement this morning on his Instagram account, announcing that he’s spearheading a social movement called “Putin Team” in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Here’s OV’s announcement in his own words (translated from Russian):

Personal awards and prizes are all great, but in hockey, as in any case, the team is more important for victory. Only the team is able to reverse the course of the game, to do the impossible. Recently, in the Western press, I've met a combination of Putin's team, that is, Putin's team. And you know, I really liked this definition. Personally, I'm ready to be part of this team. I never concealed my attitude towards our President, always openly supporting him.

I am sure that we, supporting Vladimir Putin, have a lot! So let's unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia!

Today I want to announce that I am creating a public movement called Putin's Team. Being a part of such a team is a pride for me, it's like feeling when you put on a Russian national team shirt, knowing that the whole country is ill for you.

#putinteam

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being patriotic and supporting your President. But… given today’s political climate and the current tension between Russia and the United States, this probably isn’t the best PR move for Ovechkin to be making right now. At the very least… it’s a little weird.