Sometimes I can't help myself

This week’s Hump Day Hottie, Alexander Ovechkin, may prove to be an unpopular choice. He does kind of resemble a caveman with his, uh, strong features and near unibrow. But last week we featured Sidney Crosby, and the two are often compared, so here we are.

Ovechkin (or Ovie) was drafted first overall in 2004, but because of the NHL lockout that year he didn’t play his first game until October 5, 2005, the same day as Crosby (Crosby went first overall in the 2005 draft). So essentially these two superstars have gone head to head, first pick against first pick, for their entire professional careers. They are two of the most exciting players in the game today, but that is pretty much where the similarities end.

Where Crosby is the typical Canadian player – private, humble, guarded, Ovechkin is loud, egotistical, and flashy.

So why does he deserve a spot here? Because he has personality. Not only is he fun to watch on the ice, but his antics, his interviews, and his music video cameos make sure everyone is paying attention off the ice as well. And hockey is a sport that could use some personality. Unlike the stars of basketball and football, hockey players are often incredibly dull, speaking in clichés and acting like they have really awful lives.

Ovie on the other hand always seems to be having fun. He is, after all, young, rich, and talented, why shouldn’t he be having fun? And that sort of enthusiasm is, I think, attractive.

And beyond that, can we all just agree that he has nice arms? Okay? Okay.

Ovie has had a tough year on the ice. At the Vancouver Olympics his Russian squad finished a disappointing 6th (apparently the Canadian organizers kept the Russian’s quarters well stocked with distractingly nubile “hospitality” staff). A few months later his team the Washington Capitals got booted out of the playoffs by heavy underdogs the Montreal Canadians.

But don’t count this Muscovite out for long. This year his team is sitting in second place in the East and he is fifth overall in points. And he’ll get another chance at Olympic glory in 2014, this time on his own turf. So Ovie is definitely one to watch.

Oh, I also really like his missing tooth.