Ovechkin Admired From (Really) Afar.

Alex Ovechkin has fans all over the world. Now, the star winger has one in outer space, too.

After practice today, Ovechkin was presented with an autographed photo of fellow Russian Mikhail Tyurin, a cosmonaut currently living on the International Space Station. On the photo, Tyurin wrote the words, "Thanks for your beautiful play."

Ovechkin autographed a picture of himself, on which he wrote, "Good Luck and God Bless." A camera crew from NASA TV also videotaped a message for Tyurin from Ovechkin, who said, in Russian, "I'm here representing our country, you are up there representing our county. Let's represent Russia together." It's hoped the photo and taped message can be delivered to Tyurin.

"Cosmonauts are really high profile people in Russia," said NASA TV senior producer Al Feinberg, an avid Caps fan who thought having the two exchange autographs would be cool.

Although Ovechkin didn't know Tyurin's name, he, like many in Russia, has a lot of respect for what they do.

"They are heroes," Ovechkin said. "They are more hero than me."

By Tarik El-Bashir |  October 16, 2006; 2:41 PM ET
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Posted by: capitalpunishment | October 16, 2006 3:55 PM

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