Alex Ovechkin receives car for charity donation

By Cory Buck | Feb 10, 2015

Jan 25, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Foligno forward Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals is introduced before the 2015 NHL All Star Game at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Ovechkin received the car he’d been gunning for during All-Star weekend, which he donated to the American Special Hockey Association.

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was unable to win a car either through the NHL All-Star draft conducted at the beginning of the weekend in Columbus, Ohio or through the game at the end. As it turns out, he didn’t want that car because he needed a ride. He charitable donation in mind, which prompted manfacturer Honda to step in and give Ovechkin a car, which the Russian star immediately donated to the American Special Hockey Association, as was his plan all along.

More from NHL

“The kids are happy…they are smiling, which is great,” Ovechkin said per the Falls Church News-Press after receiving the keys to the car. “Their parents are happy as well, so it’s a great day for us.”

Ovechkin’s involvement with the American Special Hockey Association goes back at least to this fall, when he skated with the kids of the group. He was so moved by his time spent with the kids that when All-Star weekend rolled around and he learned of the car, Ovechkin was so adamant about winning it.

By donating a car to the group, Ovechkin offered ASHA one of its best fundraising opportunities in years. The proceeds will pay for new teams, new tournaments and greater ability to conduct the games and acquire the ice time necessary to keep the group afloat as a resource for those who may not otherwise be able to play the game of hockey.

ASHA states on its website that it, “gives people of all ages and abilities a chance to learn and grow by playing hockey.” The program is run in 30 states, which makes its budgetary needs a huge issue for such a sprawling group. One hopes that Ovechkin has set an example for his NHL brethren to follow. If the league wants to continue to grow hockey in North America, it needs to help further support groups like this that bring hockey where it wouldn’t otherwise have a chance.

“We are incredibly grateful to Alex,” said Mike Hickey, president of the association, in a press release. “Our motto is ‘where every player is a star.’ Alex is truly a star, and through his generosity, he’s giving a lot of children a chance to shine.”

More from FanSided