Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Alex Ovechkin, the Moscow-born star player on Washington, D.C.’s, professional hockey team, a shoutout Monday.
During a game against the New York Islanders on Sunday, Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, made history as the all-time highest National Hockey League scorer with his 895th goal. He beat the 1999 record held by Wayne Gretzky.
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“I would like to congratulate you on this outstanding achievement. You have surpassed hockey legends,” Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin. “This new achievement is undoubtedly not only a personal triumph but also a truly joyous day for fans both in Russia and around the world.”
Other Russian officials joined the chorus of congratulations for Ovechkin, who has played for the Washington Capitals since 2005 and has lived in the United States for the past two decades, according to the New York Times.
“In an era when world sports are a place for political confrontation, this great Russian hockey player has again proven a true champion will break through barriers and win the love of fans,” Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said, according to Newsweek.
Ovechkin, a longtime Putin admirer, was swift to direct praise to Russia after breaking the NHL record over the weekend.
“Russia, we did it!” he said.
Ovechkin started a movement in support of Putin in 2017, which he called the “Putin Team.”
“He respects me as an athlete, and he respects all the athletes who represent the country,” Ovechkin told ESPN that year. “It doesn’t matter where you play, in Russia or outside Russia. If you represent the country in the Olympic Games, world championship, or it doesn’t matter which tournament, he always [has a] good relationship with us.”