Alexander Ovechkin participated in a chat with fans on Jan. 18.

Alexander Ovechkin
Chat Transcript
Jan. 18, 2006

Moderator
Thank you for joining us today. Alexander is here now and we are ready to begin.

HatTrickChick
What tips can you offer other hockey players who want to be as skillful a player as you?

Alexander Ovechkin
Work hard. If you have a dream, chase the dream. If you see other guys doing things wrong, don't copy them. Do what is best for you and go after your dream.

deetroyt
How do you go about deciding what you're going to try on any given shoot-out attempt?

Alexander Ovechkin
I decide what I'm going to do when the coach taps on my shoulder or calls my name on the bench before the shootout. I base the decision by what I've seen from the goalie during the game, not from previous shooters.

ironchefcanadian
What was your biggest fear about coming to North America?

Alexander Ovechkin
How I'd fit in on a new team, make friends and adjust to the NHL, where the best players in the world play.

saranis
Most Caps fans know that your brother is living with you in Virginia. How difficult has it been to transition to an "American" lifestyle?

Alexander Ovechkin
My brother has helped me a lot because he speaks better English than I do, but the language barrier has been tough. It's a different world and everything is an adjustment, but I want to be in the NHL, so I try to learn and improve everyday.

harleyj
Alex, it seems like your one of those players who truly loves what you do. Do you find yourself more successful when you treat hockey as a game or as a job?

Alexander Ovechkin
Well, it's a job, but it is fun. I approach it as fun, because hockey is my life.

Guest
Hi Alex -- So far in the NHL, who has been the player you played against who has most impressed you?

Alexander Ovechkin
Peter Forsberg, because he is one of the best passers I've ever seen and he's so good. Scott Hannan from San Jose and Andrei Markov from Montreal are the toughest defenders I've had to play against.

dochabes
Alex, what nickname do your teammates have for you?

Alexander Ovechkin
Ovie and OV-1. I like both of them.

cstoneno37
Would you like the chance to play against Olie Kolzig in Torino? You will get to play against Ivan Majesky on Slovakia. Have you three talked about that at all?

Alexander Ovechkin
Yes, I've talked to both of them. I told them that Russia is going to win the gold medal and also told Ivan that he has no chance against me when Russia plays Slovakia. I'd like to face Olie too. I know a place I can score on him but it's based on situations.

lauren08
What thoughts were going through your mind as you were scoring "the goal" against the Coyotes? [Watch "the goal" (WMP)]

Alexander Ovechkin
I was thinking that I must try to shoot. I saw the net, then I saw the puck, but not at the same moment. I shot the puck without really knowing where the net or I was.

Stv3752
Are you tired of the "Ovechkin-Crosby" comparisons?

Alexander Ovechkin
I'm not tired of it, because I don't think about it. He's a great player, but we're very different. All I think about is how we can win games in Washington. I don't think about how many goals I must score or winning Rookie of the Year.

Hckey4life
Do you prefer to play on a European size rink or on an NHL size rink?

Alexander Ovechkin
Doesn't really matter. I feel comfortable on both. I like the NHL-sized rink, because it suits me better.

vaness_habs
Hello Alexander! Do you have a role model in the NHL? Who have you modeled your game after?

Alexander Ovechkin
I want to be a passer like Pavel Datsyuk and a scorer like Ilya Kovalchuk. I admired Pavel Bure and Igor Larionov growing up. I watched Owen Nolan and the San Jose Sharks and Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames a lot before I came to the U.S.

Stckchck
Alex, what's your favorite American movie?

Alexander Ovechkin
A funny movie I like is "American Pie". "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" is my sensitive favorite.

Guest
Alex, what kind of music do you listen to?

Alexander Ovechkin
Techno dance music. I like hip-hop and rap too. I listen to 50-cent, Tupac, Eminem and Fat Joe... lots of American rap.

belfourfan
What is your favourite city on the road?

Alexander Ovechkin
Montreal has been my favorite so far. New York is good too.

briggs9727
Why do you wear the number 8?

Alexander Ovechkin
Because that is the number my mother wore when she won two gold medals for the Soviet Women's Olympic basketball team. One in 1976 in Montreal and the other in 1980 in Moscow.

capsrule84
What do you do on your days off in DC?

Alexander Ovechkin
I hang out with my brother and my teammates. We go out to eat and I try to learn as much as I can about this great city. I'm trying to get to Capitol Hill and learn the significance of all the beautiful monuments around the city.

timengland
What do you think your best strengths are?

Alexander Ovechkin
I think my strengths are I have a little bit of everything and work hard.

redlight_rog
Do you have any before-game rituals or superstitions?

Alexander Ovechkin
I eat two Filet Mignons, green beans and potatoes on the road. At home, I try to do the same. I have no other rituals or superstitions. I just go out and play.

drfeelgood39
Who are you closest to on the Capitals?

Alexander Ovechkin
Dainius Zubrus because he's helped me so much with English. Shaone Morrisonn, Steve Eminger and Brian Sutherby I hang out with too. We are all young.

AwesomeAlex8
Hey Alex, how many goals are you hoping to score this season?

Alexander Ovechkin
As many as I can get to help the Caps win more games. I don't worry about statistics. I very rarely look at my numbers, so I don't think about how much I could score.

number8thegreat
What is the reason for the TINTED visor rather than a clear one?

Alexander Ovechkin
Because that's my style. I used to wear a clear visor in practice. I wear a tinted one in games because that's my style. It's just fashion.

Moderator
Alex has to get going now. Thanks everybody for joining us today. We hope you enjoyed the chat, and we appreciate your continued support.

Alexander Ovechkin
I'd like to thank everybody in Washington and in all the NHL cities for your support. I look forward to visiting more cities. I'm having a lot of fun and love the NHL! For all my fans in Russia and in Washington I hope to bring the Stanley Cup home to you soon.