Alexander Ovechkin, the globally recognized captain of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, has taken to the ice in his native Russia to champion the survival of the critically endangered Amur leopard. The star athlete brought international attention to the predator’s plight during a pre-season Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) event in Moscow, leveraging his fame for a pressing environmental cause.
Appearing at a ceremony for his former club, Dynamo Moscow, Ovechkin wore a special jersey featuring the image of the rare feline. “This is the Amur leopard – one of the rarest big cats in the world,” he stated, announcing that Dynamo would dedicate an upcoming game to supporting the species. With fewer than 120 individuals estimated to be left in the wild, the initiative highlights an urgent conservation crisis in Russia’s Far East.
The effort extends beyond a single athlete’s gesture. Dynamo Moscow’s General Director, Sergey Sushko, confirmed that the club will host a dedicated themed game in September, with players wearing stylized leopard jerseys. “These rare, beautiful animals have much in common with hockey – they are strong, resilient, and always want to win,” Sushko remarked. “We want to contribute to helping the population of these magnificent animals grow.”
This high-profile campaign is deeply connected to corporate support within Russia. VTB, one of the country’s largest banks and a long-time partner of the club, is a key financial backer of the “Land of the Leopard” National Park in the Primorye region. The park is the primary sanctuary for the world’s remaining Amur leopard population, linking the sports-driven initiative to broader national wildlife protection projects.