FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago, November 10th 2005
The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a 3 year contract with Russian winger Alexander Ovechkin. Financial terms of the deal is not disclosed, keeping with the teams finacial policy.
Alexander Ovechkin 20, will join the team today but no decision has been made if he will be in the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings. "We have to wait and see, Alexander has been home in Russia a couple weeks after practicing here in Chicago. According to his agent, he is in fine shape and eager to get into the lineup. But we will have to wait and see. In the end, its Ted Nolans decision to play or not to play him." - GM Mathias Vaigur said.
Alexander Ovechkin, a 6'2, 205 lbs winger from Moscow was picked 1st overall in the inagural OTHL draft in 2004 by the Blackhawks. Ovechkin played 4 seasons for Dynamo Moscow, scoring 36 goals and 33 assists in 151 league games.
"Alexander is a big guy, who plays an offensive game simular to Atlanta's Ilja Kovaltjuk. But Alexander plays also a more physical style and dosen't mind going into the corners and dig out pucks. I would say that he is a more complete player then Kovaltjuk." - Scouting report from the Hawks european scout.