Alex Ovechkin says he will play in 2018 Olympics

Alex-Ovechkin;-Washington-Capitals

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) reacts after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the first period of Game 1 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Thursday, April 30, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

There is currently no agreement in place for NHL players to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Agreement or not, Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin intends to be there, Russian news agency Tass reports.

“The same situation was with the [2014] Sochi Games, they said NHL could not be allowed to come,” Ovechkin told reporters. “I hope the sides will reach an agreement.

“Anyway, I and other players will definitely come [to the 2018 Winter Olympics],” Ovechkin added.

The three-time Hart Trophy recipient and five-time Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy winner was a vocal supporter of the league’s participation in the 2014 Sochi Games prior to a formal agreement, too.

Having one of the best players in the world working as an advocate for the Games certainly helps the cause. You know fans will have his back in their quest to watch the best players on the planet compete in international play.

The NHL has allowed its players to take part in the Winter Olympics since the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. Doubt has been cast on future participation, mostly because of the arrival of the World Cup of Hockey, which returns in September 2016.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.