Former Capitals coach calls out the greatest goalscorer of all-time
Photo credit: ESPN
Former Capitals coach once criticized Ovechkin's style of play early on in his career.
Former Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau once criticized Alex Ovechkin for his reckless style of play during a 2009 NHL suspension.
In 2009, when Alexander Ovechkin was handed a two-game suspension, it marked a pivotal moment for Bruce Boudreau. Following the suspension, Boudreau described Ovechkin's playing style as 'reckless', a comment that sparked media debate and prompted reflection within the team.
An article from The Times of India quoted Boudreau from a previous interview at the time.
He's pretty reckless. It's hard telling a guy that scores 60 goals a year to change the way he plays. At the same time, I don't want to see him getting hurt. Maybe he has to be a little more ... pick his spots a little better. The open-ice hits. It's not only the hitter; the guy who's getting hit is also moving fast, too. You're lining guys up to hit him, and once they move, everything gets exposed. -Boudreau
The all-time leading goal scorer in the NHL had this to say after Boudreau's remarks.
I'm not going to change anything. -Ovechkin
Later on, the former Capitals head coach clarified his comments with the media explaining how his worry wasn't about opponents, but about Ovechkin's self safety.
I don't want him to change the way he plays at all, either. When I said 'reckless', I was using the term in fear of him getting hurt, not him hurting anybody else. He's got to be him, so I don't want him to change. That's what makes him one of three things: one of the best players in the world, one of the best personalities in sport, and it's the reason you pay to watch. - Boudreau
Bruce Boudreau once feared Ovechkin's physical health and the impact of his fearless, high-impact game on the team. Ovechkin clearly refused to change his style of play and showed no signs of slowing down when he recently broke the all-time scoring record, passing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th goal.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 35 ANSWERS Former Capitals coach calls out the greatest goalscorer of all-time Do you think Alex Ovechkin is a reckless hockey player? | ||
| yes | 6 | 17.1 % |
| no | 29 | 82.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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