"Dear friends, I'll be happy to see those of you willing to take a picture with the Stanley Cup! See you there!" Ovechkin said in the post.
Ovechkin arrived in Russia last week after several event-filled days in Washington celebrating the championship the Capitals won June 7 with a five-game victory against the Vegas Golden Knights. Ovechkin, who won the
Conn Smythe Trophy
as most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, had 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 24 postseason games. It was the first title for Ovechkin since he joined the NHL for the 2005-06 season after being selected No. 1 in the 2004 NHL Draft.
He spent Sunday at the World Cup, joining several other Russia-born NHL players, for the host country's Round of 16 game against Spain. Russia won on penalty kicks after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
The trip to Russia will be the latest headline-grabbing appearance with the Stanley Cup for Ovechkin, who spent several days toting it around Washington, including a parade that ended with a celebration on the National Mall, a ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game, a swim in a city fountain, and a slow dance with the Cup at a team party.
