Washington Capitals say Alex Ovechkin received a request to shoot a ad spot for United Russia, the pro-Putin party, while back home this summer.

The team said he was asked, but did not confirm whether he accepted.

News reports describe the ad as a political endorsement.

The Washington Post and The Guardian report that the NHL star is featured in the ad.

ESPN picked up the team's statement.

Ovechkin has made no public comment.

The request came during his trip in Russia this summer.

The ad has attracted notice because United Russia is aligned with President Vladimir Putin.

No further details were offered by the Capitals.