Ovechkin reveals why he keeps Coca-Cola on the Capitals bench

Alexander Ovechkin has kept a Coca-Cola bottle on the Washington bench for two decades. He told TNT that a Russian marathon-running trainer advised him to use sugar when exhausted, which led to the habit. The article also notes teammates have accidentally grabbed his bottle and that Ovechkin has announced this will be his final NHL season.

Ovechkin told Paul Bissonnette on TNT, ahead of Washington’s Wednesday home opener, that a Russian marathon-running trainer taught him to take sugar when fatigued. That advice became a two-decade routine: a Coca-Cola-filled bottle sits on the Capitals bench. Teammates Matt Niskanen and Dylan Strome have both described grabbing it by accident.

His Coca-Cola ties go beyond game days. He has endorsed the brand since before Sochi, worn Coke apparel, kept vending machines at home, and was seen in the dressing room with a can after a Nazem Kadri hit. Reports say he drinks three before puck drop. He announced Monday this is his last NHL season, finishing with 929 goals in 1,575 games.

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