Offseason in Russia brings traffic fines for Capitals captain
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's career scoring leader, has reportedly been linked to 33 traffic fines during his offseason in Russia, according to the Russian Telegram channel Mash Sports and Mash on Sport. The fines reportedly total 82,000 rubles, roughly $1,000, with most tied to speeding violations.
Reports out of Russia, including from Mash on Sport, suggest the violations included speeding, parking, and toll road infractions. The tickets were reportedly listed on his Aurus Arsenal minivan, which bears the license plate 008—a number with an obvious connection to Ovechkin's No. 8 jersey.
Ovechkin has reportedly paid 32 of the 33 fines, leaving one 4,500-ruble ticket unpaid. The traffic tickets do not appear to have caused any major issue, but they have added an unusual story to his summer away from the NHL.
The Aurus Arsenal minivan
The Aurus Arsenal is a Russian-made luxury minivan produced by Aurus Motors. According to a Toronto Sun report, the vehicle can be equipped with heavy armor and is typically built for Russian government officials and state motorcades. The Times of India noted that the vehicle was built for the presidential motorcade and was not originally sold to private buyers. Russian outlets have reported that the Aurus seen around Moscow belongs to Ovechkin, according to The Times of India.
The retail price of the minivan is 50 million rubles, which equals roughly $825,000 CAD, as reported by the Toronto Sun.
The Times of India noted that Ovechkin often spends his offseason in Russia and has said he plans to live in Moscow after his playing career ends. That report also noted that the upcoming campaign will be Ovechkin's 22nd NHL season, all with the Capitals, and that he is expected to return to Washington in September for training camp.
Contract and career context
The Capitals signed Ovechkin to a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension in July, keeping him in Washington for the 2026-27 season, as reported by The Times of India. The Toronto Sun reported that Ovechkin is slated to be back when training camp opens next month.
The Toronto Sun noted that Ovechkin has a career total of 929 regular-season goals, a record he set after breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL goals record. Last season, at 40 years old, Ovechkin played all 82 games for the first time since 2017-18, scoring 32 goals and adding 32 assists. The Capitals finished three points short of the Philadelphia Flyers for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this past spring, according to the Toronto Sun.
Social media reactions from X users were also part of the Toronto Sun's coverage, with some questioning the validity of the fines and others commenting on the unusual nature of the situation.