MassMutual withdraws advertisement featuring Russian NHL star Alex Ovechkin amidst Ukraine war

Alex Ovechkin

A MassMutual advertisement featuring Washington Capitals’ Russian captain Alexander Ovechkin in the National Hockey League (NHL) is no longer on the air. The American life insurance company took this decision due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Army.

However, MassMutual declined to say why the ad was no longer being run, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday. Earlier, The Sports Network (TSN) reported that the Canadian ice hockey equipment brand CCM Hockey would stop using Ovechkin and other Russian NHL players in global marketing initiatives.

Here’s the full video the MassMutual’s latest ad:

FS Video

Like @ovi8 and @backstrom19, we believe in planning and protecting, on and off the ice. Here’s to our official partnership with the NHL. #LiveMutual @NHLPA ? pic.twitter.com/mOTxpGebLY
— MassMutual (@massmutual) October 12, 2021

“Although Mr. Ovechkin is not responsible for the Russian government’s actions, we took the decision to not use him (or any Russian player) on any global CCM communication at this point,” CCM chief executive Marrouane Nabih told the Canadian sports network.

“Please, no more war” – Alex Ovechkin

The Moscow native Ovechkin, who’s been an ardent supporter of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, has grabbed massive attention since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis. But he has recently expressed his hope for an end to hostilities after Russia invaded Ukraine.

“I would say it’s a hard situation,” the Capitals left-wing said at a Friday news conference. “I have lots of friends in Russia and Ukraine. And, it’s hard to see another war. I hope it’s soon going to be over and there’s going to be peace in the whole world.”

“Well, he’s my president. But, how I said, I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete,” Ochevkin stated. “How I said, hope everything’s going to be done soon. It’s a hard situation right now for both sides. Everything, like how I said, everything I hope is going to end, and I’m not in control of the situation.”

He added: “Please, no more war,” he urged. “Doesn’t matter who’s in the war. Russia. Ukraine. Different countries. I think we live in a world like we have to live in peace and a great world.”

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