A Kremlin propagandist has said that he got an exclusive comment from FBI head Kash Patel during celebrations for Russian hockey star Alex Ovechkin after he broke the NHL‘s goal-scoring record on Sunday.
TV presenter Valentin Bogdanov said he had managed to grab a word with Patel in the dressing room after the match in which Ovechkin overtook Wayne Gretsky as the NHL’s all-time top scorer with 895 goals.
In a segment, Patel can be seen with the Washington Capitals players celebrating Ovechkin’s achievement and the reporter said he had a “positive attitude.”
Patel had been pictured watching the game in the stand with Gretsky at New York’s Capital One Arena.
The claims by the Russian presenter and the length of the alleged interaction have not been independently verified and Newsweek has contacted the FBI for comment by email.
FBI Director Kash Patel appears during a Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2025.
FBI Director Kash Patel appears during a Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Kremlin propagandists on the Russia 1 channel have delighted in saying that they spoke to the head of the main American intelligence agency.
Meanwhile, Ovechkin’s historic achievement has been lauded in Russia by both media and politicians alike as a boost for Russia in the U.S. at a time of historically low ties caused by Vladimir Putin‘s invasion of Ukraine.
Ovechkin is said to be a supporter of Putin so his sporting feats at a time when Russia is banned from international hockey competitions, carry extra resonance.
What To Know
Moscow-born Ovechkin became the all-time highest NHL scorer after he got his 895th goal for the Washington Capitals against the New York Islanders.
A clip posted by Russia watcher Julia Davis starts with 60 Minutes anchor Olga Skabeyeva saying that Putin had congratulated Ovechkin. She said that Patel came down into the locker room where players were celebrating “to congratulate him.”
One frame shows Patel and a reporter is heard off camera asking him how he liked the game.
“It was amazing, thank you” was the reply, dubbed into Russian.
Back in the studio, Skabeyeva then did an interview with the head of the channel’s U.S. bureau, Valentin Bogdanov, in New York who said that Patel had come into the changing room to get his picture taken with Ovechkin and Gretzky.
He said that Patel looked uncomfortable and was asked if hockey was a good way to improve relations between Russia and the U.S.
Bogdanov said that Patel answered “vaguely,” praised Ovechkin’s achievements and demonstrated a “positive attitude” although it is unclear whether the interaction was any longer than the clip that was shown.
What People Are Saying
Valentin Bogdanov, Russian state TV reporter: “He (Patel) was probably feeling a bit uncomfortable but it didn’t stop us.
“I directly asked him if he thinks hockey is a good way to restore ties between the countries. The head of the American agency answered vaguely…basically he demonstrated a positive attitude.”
What Happens Next
Ovechkin’s achievement may amplify calls in Russia for hockey matches between Russian and American teams, although it is unclear if this might happen, and the Ukrainian community in North America has strongly urged the NHL to abandon such an idea.