FILE - In this May 29, 2012, file photo, Russian national ice hockey team member Alexander Ovechkin, right, holds a certficate of recognition given to him by President Vladimir Putin, left, in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has voiced his support for Vladimir Putin ahead of the upcoming Russian presidential elections. Ovechkin posted a message in Russian on his Instagram account Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017,  announcing he's starting &quot;a social movement called Putin Team.&quot; From right in the background are Russian ice hockey federation president Vladislav Tretyak and Russia's captain Ilya Nikulin. (AP Photo/Sergei Karpukhin, Pool, File)