Trump name-drops NHL star Alex Ovechkin in bizarre press conference!
During a press conference focused on cross-border tensions with Canada's new prime minister, U.S. President Donald Trump took an unexpected turn, praising NHL star Alex Ovechkin as a 'big, tough cookie' who 'just broke the record.' The bizarre hockey detour amidst serious trade talk drew social media attention regarding Ovechkin's nationality.
In a press conference focused on navigating sensitive cross-border tensions and a recent tariff dispute with Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a sudden, unexpected detour into the world of hockey. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump was asked what he desired most from Canada. After initially responding with "Concession? Friendship," he surprisingly pivoted to discuss NHL star Alex Ovechkin.
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Trump praised the Washington Capitals forward, referring to him as a "very, very good hockey player" and specifically calling him a "big, tough cookie." He also noted that Ovechkin "just broke the record" and is a "great guy." The record Trump was referencing is Ovechkin's recent achievement of surpassing Wayne Gretzky's NHL all-time goals record, having scored his 895th goal one month prior.
Trump: "I love Canada. I have a lot of respect for the Canadians...You happen to have a very, very good hockey player right here on the Capitals, he is a big tough cookie too, just broke the record."
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) May 6, 2025
Alex Ovechkin is Russian. pic.twitter.com/kMvyj7YmZP
While President Trump did not explicitly state that Ovechkin was Canadian, the context of the question regarding Canada led many social media users to note the potential for a mix-up. Users on X (formerly Twitter) quickly reacted, with many criticizing Trump for seemingly confusing Ovechkin's nationality, as the Capitals legend is famously Russian.
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The mention of hockey was not entirely out of character for Trump, who has a long-standing affinity for the Washington Capitals. He hosted the team at the White House after their 2018 Stanley Cup championship and has referenced Ovechkin during previous campaign rallies. More recently, he was seen at his golf club in Virginia alongside Capitals forward TJ Oshie and Elon Musk.
Despite the unexpected tangent, Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, reportedly remained "unfazed" by the hockey talk, maintaining a diplomatic tone throughout the event. While the meeting's primary aim was to de-escalate rising tensions and rhetoric, including Trump's suggestion of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, the press conference concluded on an oddly light-hearted note, with the discussion of "puck talk" unexpectedly "stealing the spotlight" from the more serious diplomatic topics.
