Mikhail Ovechkin used to be a fixture at the Capitals’ Arlington training complex, helping himself to coffee, even wandering through the dressing room in the early years. He knew hardly any English.

Mikhail Ovechkin died the previous day at age 71. “It was probably toughest situation I’ve been through, through my whole NHL career,” he said.

Mikhail Ovechkin, who was a professional soccer player before an injury ended his career prematurely, played a huge role in igniting Alex’s love of sport — and, in particular, hockey — as a boy.

Ovechkin's father had been a fixture around the Capitals' training facility and games, especially during his son's early years in the NHL. Mikhail Ovechkin died after a long illness. He was 71.

The Washington Capitals will be remembering Mikhail Ovechkin, the late father of captain Alex Ovechkin, with a special helmet decal on Thursday. The team is wearing white decals on the left side ...

Alex Ovechkin almost stopped playing hockey. His mother, Tatyana, was a basketball player, his father, Mikhail, was a soccer player and they were traveling with their teams, leaving no one to take ...

Ovechkin wasn't able to fly Russia until after his father, Mikhail, died Feb. 15, but said he was able to speak to him on the phone. "I talked to him," Ovechkin said.

Alex Ovechkin almost stopped playing hockey. His mother, Tatyana, was a basketball player, his father, Mikhail, was a soccer player and they were traveling with their teams, leaving no one to take ...

FILE - Alex Ovechkin, left, of Russia, and his father Mikhail. Ovechkin reacts after being selected as the first overall pick by the Washington Capitals during the NHL Draft, June 26, 2004, at the ...