from The Athletic,

Washington Capitals captain and Russian native Alex Ovechkin asked for "no more war" amid Russia's attack on Ukraine while speaking with reporters on Friday.

The comments are the first Ovechkin has made publicly since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine on Thursday. The Capitals did not make him available to the media on Thursday.

"It's a hard situation. I have family back in Russia and it is scary moments," Ovechkin said. "But we can't do anything. We just hope it going to be end soon and everything is going to be all right."

He added: "Please, no more war. It doesn't matter who is in the war — Russia, Ukraine, different countries — I think we live in a world, like, we have to live in peace and a great world."

continued ($$$)

Below, watch Ovechkin after practice today.