Ovechkin Remains 'One of the Guys'

An equipment company recently threw a lavish news conference to introduce a new line of sticks and skates endorsed by Washington Capitals rookie Alex Ovechkin. Hordes of media members gather around him after every game. Autograph seekers loiter near the players' entrance at visiting arenas, sometimes for hours, hoping he'll stop.

Ovechkin gets the star treatment everywhere he goes -- except in the locker room, where, despite his pursuit of 50 goals and growing celebrity, his teammates say he's still just "another one of the guys."

An episode during yesterday's practice backed up that sentiment. Toward the end of the session, veteran goaltender Olie Kolzig ripped off Ovechkin's helmet, put it on his own head and began mocking the way Ovechkin bounces up and down as he skates.

Ovechkin responded by putting on Kolzig's mask and mimicking one of the goaltender's stick-banging temper tantrums. The players -- and the smattering of fans in the stands -- cracked up with laughter.

"That's what makes Alex so special, the way he interacts with everyone," Kolzig said later. "He's just another one of the guys."

Except for when he's on the ice, of course. There's nothing ordinary about the season Ovechkin is having or the plateau the 20-year-old left wing will be chasing tonight at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

Ovechkin could become only the second rookie to record 50 goals and 100 points in a season by scoring once against the Thrashers. He has 49 goals and 100 points with four games remaining.

"It's too bad I can't be first," Ovechkin joked, referring to Teemu Selanne's 76 goals and 132 points in 1992-93. "I will try to score 50 goals. My father tells me it will be history, it is forever. I want to be part of NHL history. It will be very nice."

Ovechkin's disposition contrasts sharply with that of Washington's last superstar, Jaromir Jagr, who was prone to sulking and occasionally was standoffish toward some of his teammates and coaches. Ovechkin, some players and team employees have said privately, is the anti-Jagr.

"He's a normal guy with superstar status," center Dainius Zubrus said. "He's a very likable guy and that's why everyone in here is so happy for him. Look at what happened with the shaving cream the other day."

Zubrus was referring to the shaving cream pie shoved in Ovechkin's face by veteran Jeff Halpern on Monday in Boston. Ovechkin, who had just recorded his 49th goal and 100th point, was doing a television interview when Halpern sneaked up on him. No one laughed harder than Ovechkin.

Although he's on the doorstep of a major milestone, is the team's most popular player among fans and routinely is featured on television highlight shows, Ovechkin has managed to remain grounded. Left wing Matt Pettinger said he admires that.

"He could come in here say, 'Hey, I'm Alex Ovechkin, I've played in the Olympics, I've scored 49 goals, I've done all this at 20 years old,' " Pettinger said. "But he doesn't. He treats everyone the same, from [owner Ted Leonsis] on down. He's just down-to-earth."

Coach Glen Hanlon, a former NHL goaltender, said Ovechkin's teammates have embraced him not because of what he does on the ice, but the way he carries himself off it.

"When you are in your rookie year you have to be respectful," Hanlon said. "There's not one person who is in this room on a daily basis who doesn't appreciate how respectful he is of the game, of the history and the players.

"There are some rookie players who are great players, who have been great players all of their lives, and when someone gets called up from the minors, they hardly even know their names," Hanlon added. "Whereas Ovechkin is buddies with him. They are on the bench talking. It's not like he's a prima donna."

The attention Ovechkin receives only figures to intensify if he equals Selanne and if, as expected, he wins the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie.

"Hopefully when he's 30, he'll be the same way," Pettinger said. "I'm pretty sure he will."