## Young Ovechkin Steals the Show

Six-year-old Sergei Ovechkin, son of NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin, scored four goals in a star-studded all-star game at Mytishchi Arena in Moscow. The younger Ovechkin's impressive performance overshadowed even his father's single goal as Team Ovechkin defeated Pavel Datsyuk’s squad 11–7.

**Goals Galore for Sergei**

Sergei found the back of the net twice in the first period, assisted by teammates including Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov.  His father, watching from the bench, couldn't help but beam with pride as his son continued to rack up goals throughout the match. 

“Of course, I am happy for my son,” Alex Ovechkin told Match TV. “I see his progress, as well as Ilya’s. We will do everything so that Sergei continues in the same spirit. Many thanks to the participants. They came at the first call. This is a holiday for children. Next year will be much better.”

**A Family Affair**

Sergei's performance wasn't just witnessed by his father; his mother, Nastya Shubskaya, and grandmother, Tatyana Ovechkina, were also in attendance, cheering him on from the stands. Sergei’s impressive display was captured on social media, with fans praising his skills and noting the family's clear love for hockey.

**A Star-Studded Lineup**

The Ovi Cup matchup featured a mix of current and former NHL talent, including Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov, who scored twice for Team Ovechkin, alongside Kaprizov's one goal. Team Datsyuk saw Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin score a hat trick. Other notable participants included Vyacheslav Fetisov, Valeri Kamensky, Mikhail Sergachev, Dmitry Orlov, Kirill Marchenko and Egor Zamula.

**Future of the Ovechkin Dynasty?**

While Sergei’s performance was undoubtedly impressive, his father joked that they had another Ovi to contend with. "We needed to defend another Ovi, but it didn't work out," Pavel Datsyuk said after the game. 


Alex Ovechkin revealed last December that his two sons have contrasting hockey ambitions: one wants to be a forward like his dad, while the other aspires to be a goalie.  Perhaps we’ll see both sides of this rivalry unfold on the ice in the years to come.





## Young Ovechkin Steals the Show

Six-year-old Sergei Ovechkin, son of NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin, scored four goals in a star-studded all-star game at Mytish

Alex Ovechkin’s Son Steals the Show Scoring Four Goals in NH

Alex Ovechkin’s Son Steals the Show Scoring Four Goals in NHL-Heavy All-Star Game

## Predator Overcomes Mental Hurdles to Return to Ice

**Nashville defenseman opens up about lifelong battle with anxiety and depression.**

Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney has returned to the ice after a difficult period away from the game. In a recent interview on "32 Thoughts: The Podcast," Stastney revealed he was battling anxiety and depression that nearly led him to retire in 2024. 


“I was thinking that I'm done. That I'm absolutely done with hockey,” Stastney confessed.

The announcement of his absence from training camp in September 2024, two months after he received a two-year contract at arbitration, sent shockwaves through the organization. Now, Stastney sheds light on his struggles, tracing them back to his youth hockey days in Milwaukee.


"It was at the end of the Milwaukee Admirals' deep run in the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2024 when Stastney realized he needed to step away from hockey," the podcast revealed. After consulting with his agent, Pete Rutili, Stastney even prepared retirement papers, convinced he could no longer play.


“I thought it was going to be a sigh of relief, that I was going to get up in the morning and feel great. I was going to apply for jobs, like I'm a new person. I'm free finally. And I was still miserable,” Stastney admitted.

Seeking help through the NHLPA’s player assistance program, Stastney began therapy and uncovered family dynamics contributing to his anxiety and depression.  His parents' eventual divorce, coupled with other stressors stemming from moving with his mother and brother to Chicago at a young age, took a toll.


“Knowing that everyone was having a tough time while I was having a blast with friends and living my best life, that guilt really weighed upon me and added up to a lot of things that I came to realize in therapy,” Stastney explained. “Pretty much everything went south in my family after the Chicago move.”


The weight of this guilt made hockey unbearable for him.


“I didn't take care of myself," he said. "Slowly things started to deteriorate. I wasn't doing anything outside of the rink. I'd go to the rink, I'd come home, I'd sit on my couch, like what do I do now?"

Through months of therapy and support from Predators development coach Mark Borowiecki, Stastney began to feel excited about hockey again.  He rejoined the Admirals in November 2024, making his debut on December 7th. Due to injuries on the Preds roster, he was recalled to the NHL in January 2025 and played 23 games for the Predators.


While Stastney has made a remarkable comeback, he acknowledges there is still work to be done. 


“I’m still trying to figure out my relationship with hockey," he said.   


## Predator Overcomes Mental Hurdles to Return to Ice

**Nashville defenseman opens up about lifelong battle with anxiety and depression.**

Nashville Predators

Nhl News

Alex Ovechkin’s Son Steals the Show Scoring Four Goals in NHL-Heavy All-Star Game

Nashville Predators' Spencer Stastney reveals lifelong battle with anxiety, depression

Nhl News

Alex Ovechkin’s Son Steals the Show Scoring Four Goals in NHL-Heavy All-Star Game

Nashville Predators&#39; Spencer Stastney reveals lifelong battle with anxiety, depression

Nashville Predators' Spencer Stastney reveals lifelong battle with anxiety, depression