No update on Alex Ovechkin’s injury. There will be a story up on our website soon with reaction from Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. Ovechkin, who suffered an “upper-body” injury during Sunday’s 5-4 overtime loss to Columbus, is not expected to play Wednesday night against New Jersey. But Boudreau guessed he could return Friday or Saturday. The Caps play the Florida Panthers both nights – on the road Friday and back at Verizon Center on Saturday.
The Caps had a day off on Monday and Ovechkin only showed up at Kettler Capitals Iceplex to see athletic trainer Greg Smith. But it was a busy day for Ovechkin off the ice, anyway. Management powerhouse IMG announced it has signed Ovechkin as a client. The 24-year-old is already fine as far as a contract is concerned. He negotiated a 13-year, $124 million deal with the Caps in December of 2007 by himself. That means no percentage payout to an agent. But Ovechkin can’t do that all the time. He does have Stanley Cups to chase, after all.
That’s where IMG steps in. The company represents entertainers and athletes all over the world, including Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning. But no hockey players in recent years. That’s really why Ovechkin’s deal is notable. IMG recruited Ovechkin because it thinks he transcends the sport he plays. The NHL still doesn’t have the cachet in the United States that the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball do. But a two-time league MVP who again leads the league in goals and points? A man with global reach who may be the premier attraction at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia? That is a marketer’s dream.
“As one of the most exciting players the game of hockey has seen, [Ovechkin] has captured the imagination of fans around the globe and he is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the world’s great sports icons,” said Brad Pelletier, senior vice president and managing director of IMG Canada. “The excitement and personality he brings to the game is not only great for hockey, but also for his personal brand, which we look forward to working with him to grow around the world.”
As an added bonus, Ovechkin was also named one of the NHL’s Three Stars for the month of October. He was Star No. 2 behind Colorado goalie Craig Anderson. It is the sixth time in his career Ovechkin has been named one of the league’s three stars for a month. He scored 14 goals with nine assists in 13 games in October. Caps are back at practice on Tuesday. Hope to have more info on Ovechkin’s status then.
