I think we can finally, officially put the “Is Alex Ovechkin fat?” meme behind us – at least if Capitals strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish is to be believed. One super slouchy performance during an interview with WashCaps.com this summer sparked a thousand speculative blog posts. But make no mistake – Ovechkin has been working hard since July with his personal trainer back home in Russia to make sure he is in shape for the upcoming season. We’ve seen evidence of that during his morning workouts here at Kettler Iceplex in recent days. And now the man putting him through those paces confirms it.
“I already know he’s in shape,” Nemish said during an interesting interview with local media after Day 2 of Caps’ rookie camp on Monday. “I can tell. We’ve worked several times on the ice and without doubt he’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen him.”
Ovechkin was memorably caught on camera this summer with what appeared to be a beer gut during an interview with team staff writer Mike Vogel. In interviews last month even Ovechkin himself wondered why he looked so bad. It was somewhat concerning given that owner Ted Leonsis has said Ovechkin tried to play his way into shape last season and peak during the Stanley Cup playoffs. He certainly had other injury issues, but that plan…well, it didn’t work out all that great. Ovechkin’s career-low in goals (32) told us that much. Nemish didn’t really want to go into specifics. But it’s clear Ovechkin has returned to Washington ready for the season. And, no, he wasn’t at any point this summer “fat”.
“I wouldn’t say there were big philosophical changes. There was probably more of a change in timing,” Nemish said. “His commitment has been much more involved than earlier time. He has more under his belt in terms of when he started to train. All I can tell you is that what he has done this summer, the more time he has put in certainly has paid off and he’s ready to go at a much quicker rate than he’s had in the past.”
Take it for what it’s worth – but no one works more closely with Ovechkin during the season than Nemish, who is responsible for knowing the workout habits and dietary plans for everyone on the roster.
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