Russian NHL superstars become idols not only for their compatriots, but also for boys around the world. For example, Nashville hockey player Matthew Wood admitted that he took number 71 in honor of Evgeni Malkin, whose game the Canadian liked all his life. Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl has never hidden the fact that Pavel Datsyuk is his main hero. And the first pick of the 2023 draft and Chicago player Connor Bedard compared himself to Kirill Kaprizov.

It is obvious that Alexander Ovechkin, who is capable of breaking the record of the great Wayne Gretzky in the near future, has a huge army of fans. Washington often organizes events in which the Russian gets to know his fans. For example, before the start of the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin personally presented tickets to Capitals matches to fans who bought season tickets for the team’s first season in 1974. People thanked Alexander and took pictures with him.

However, interaction with an idol did not always turn into a sweet and beautiful story. A hockey player admiring Ovechkin hit him in the face with his stick! Since childhood, the attacker dreamed of taking revenge on the Washington captain.

Unusual story

In 2016, young New Jersey forward Miles Wood was preparing for his first career match against Ovechkin, who was his idol. Voodoo had to share the court with the big star on December 31, so journalists actively wrote about the New Year’s miracle for the Devils newcomer.

And the press services of both teams quickly turned the forwards’ duel into a big event. And it wasn’t that Wood was a very promising player or a second Ovi who would covet the Russian’s sniper record in the future. It’s just that the American had a very interesting story connected with Alexander.

— When Miles was 8 or 9 years old, he sent a letter to Alexander. It contained a hockey card and a note that if Ovechkin did not sign the photo and send it back, Miles would use a very strong force against him when he got to the NHL.

Miles never received his card back, so now we are waiting for the promised power move,” ex-NHL player and Wood’s father Randy said before the game.

After Miles’ father’s comment, seasoned fans recalled the story when 14-year-old Brendan Shanahan approached Toronto superstar Rick Vaive for an autograph, but he refused him.

Four years later, Shanahan, immediately after the opening face-off, attacked Vaive with incredible anger, with whom he shared the ice for the first time. Brendan had to be pulled away by two linesmen at once, and the beaten Rick began to ask his teammates what was wrong with this crazy kid who ran to beat the veteran for no reason.

Rick Vaive / Photo: © Jeff Goode / Contributor / Toronto Star / Gettyimages.ru

But a similar situation should not have been repeated in the New Jersey-Washington match. Wood reassured, and perhaps disappointed, the fans before the game.

— Today I will play against my childhood idol. Thank you, Alexander Ovechkin. Great Eight! — Miles wrote on social networks.

Wood and Ovechkin had a meeting at which the Washington captain apologized to the American for the lost card and handed him a new one. Alexander also added a friendly caption, “Miles, take it easy today!” The New Jersey forward was simply going crazy with happiness.

– This is amazing. That’s very nice of him. Of course, I watched my dad in the NHL, but I also watched and still sometimes watch Ovechkin play when he does something special,” Miles shared his impressions.

Broke an idol’s face

In the end, the game went smoothly, and Wood caused Ovechkin absolutely no discomfort. But, having become more experienced and accustomed to the league, the American believed in himself and began to behave more aggressively towards his idol. In October 2018, Miles tried to challenge the Russian to a fight, but was completely unsuccessful.

When a massive brawl broke out at the New Jersey goal, Ovechkin was jostling with one of the Devils players. Wood, who was already going to the bench, immediately flew towards the Russian. The New Jersey forward circled around a bit with his opponent and even threw off his leggings to start a fight. But Alexander quickly cooled his ardor by skillfully pulling the jersey over his neck. As a result, the bare-knuckle fight never took place.

Miles Wood and Alexander Ovechkin / Photo: © Bruce Bennett / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Four years later, the confrontation between the two forwards continued. The American fulfilled his dream and scored a hard hit on Ovechkin. In addition, Wood accidentally hit the Russian in the face with his stick, and Alexander even began to bleed after the hit!

The Capitals leader did not continue the conflict; he was more infuriated by the fact that the referees did not give Miles four minutes for dangerous play with a high stick. After the episode, Ovechkin went to the locker room, where he received medical assistance, including stitches. Returning to the ice, he responded in a sportsmanlike manner – scoring a hat-trick.

— I got hit in the face with a stick, but there was no whistle. I don’t think this was done on purpose, but the referees didn’t notice it. After that, I went a little crazy and punished my opponent myself and found how to respond. “I didn’t talk to Wood himself,” Ovechkin said after the game.