A Capitals spokesman on Tuesday denied a report that Alex Ovechkin is injured and could miss the World Cup of Hockey next month.
The original report, from Russia’s Sport Express, suggested the NHL’s top goal scorer last season has a lower body injury and could miss three weeks. But Ovechkin, when contacted by Capitals’ public relations director Sergey Kocharov, said he’s healthy and training in Moscow.
Spoke to Alex today. No truth to this rumor. Alex is in Moscow, continues to train for WC and upcoming NHL season. https://t.co/z3MXRfNEe4
— Sergey Kocharov (@SergeyKocharov) August 9, 2016
The Russian hockey federation has also denied the report.
Russian hockey federation denies media report that Ovechkin has a lower body injury and could miss the World Cup. https://t.co/bCZdBxoGAx
— Gabrielle T-F (@gabrielletf) August 9, 2016
Ovechkin also issued a denial of sorts, posting a video on Tuesday that shows him skating and shooting on a goalie. The caption that accompanies the video, when translated to English, says: “Do not believe rumors!!! Preparing…”
The eight-team World Cup begins Sept. 17, though teams will convene several days earlier to practice.