Alex Ovechkin became an off-ice legend for his exploits with the Stanley Cup following the Capitals’ 2018 championship run. He notably performed a keg stand with the trophy, drinking beer out of the Cup while his teammates held his legs in the air.
So, it wasn’t surprising when he stressed the value of a postgame beer.
In a discussion with Russian blogger Amiran Sardarov last month, the NHL’s No. 2 all-time goal scorer said plenty of players wind down with a postgame beverage.
“We just like to relax. After hockey, you are tired; a couple of glasses of wine or beer is normal,” Ovechkin said in Russian. “It relieves tension.”
It’s so common for players to drink alcohol after games, the Capitals keep a fridge stocked with beer in the coach’s room, the 38-year-old noted.
“I can’t imagine a [player] who says he doesn’t drink, he quit. You can take a break for a certain time, but after the game two to three cans of beer — with pleasure,” Ovechkin said. “It’s useful.”
The future Hall of Famer noted he’ll have a couple of glasses of beer per night in the offseason, but he’ll cut back as the NHL season approaches.
“When training starts, you have to give it up,” he said. “During the preseason, when you are training, getting into shape, trying to lose extra pounds, you try to limit yourself in food and drink.”
Ovechkin and the Capitals open preseason play Sept. 22 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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