Ethen Frank reflects on his unexpected NHL journey (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Ethen Frank’s NHL journey wasn’t one that followed a traditional path. At 27, many players are already well-established in the league or have settled into their roles within the hockey world. For Frank, however, the pieces didn’t start falling into place until just a couple of years ago. He had spent years grinding through the college and minor league circuits, constantly working to prove he belonged at the next level.
Despite the challenges, Frank never let go of his NHL aspirations. The turning point came when he realized that certain changes in his approach could give him a real shot at making it. A shift in mindset and dedication to refining his game put him on a trajectory that led to an opportunity with the Washington Capitals—one that he never imagined would evolve into what it is today.
“No, no, not at all. I think it was probably about two years ago when it finally clicked, and I thought I could maybe give myself a chance if I did some things a certain way,” explained Frank in an exclusive interview with RG. “And yeah, I never thought it would be what it is today.”
Living the Dream: Sharing the Ice with Ovechkin
For Frank, making it to the NHL was already a dream come true—but getting the chance to play alongside Alex Ovechkin? That was beyond anything he had envisioned. Growing up, Ovechkin was his favorite player, someone he admired for his size, strength, and legendary shot. Now, he finds himself on the same ice, sometimes even on the same line, as the hockey icon he once watched in awe.
“Yeah, he was my favorite player since he came into the league. I always loved how big and strong he was, obviously a great shot and great role model,” said Frank. “The way he approaches the game, and the way he’s able to perform at his age, is incredible.”
Playing alongside Ovechkin has given Frank a firsthand look at the dedication and consistency required to stay at an elite level for so long. Even after suffering injuries, Ovechkin’s ability to return and make an immediate impact has served as motivation for Frank as he continues to push himself at the NHL level.
A Leader On and Off the Ice
Beyond his on-ice dominance, Ovechkin’s leadership qualities have left a lasting impression on Frank. His ability to command a locker room, keep teammates focused, and shift the energy when needed is something that goes beyond just his goal-scoring ability.
“On the ice side, it’s just the scoring. It’s obviously cool, and it’s just never-ending and pretty special to watch. Off the ice, I think the best moment is the hole-in-one he got a few years back when he went on the golf outing with the team. Some guys still quote that video, and he got the hole-in-one, and I think that one’s pretty funny.”
In all honesty, who could forget the infamous “I Shot and I Got It” video from Ovechkin’s early years? It truly solidified him as one of the more unique personalities in the NHL.
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But, over the years, Ovechkin has truly risen as a major leader, not only for the sport of hockey, but for the renaissance within the Washington Capitals organization.
“For sure, there’s been times we’ve been down, losing a game or not playing our best, and in between periods, he’ll say a few words to the guys,” said Frank. “You can just tell the whole mood in the room switches, and he’s able to keep everybody calm and working together. You know, not too high, not too low—just nice and even.”
Ovechkin’s presence has provided Frank with a model for not only how to perform at the highest level, but also how to be a teammate and leader in professional hockey.
The Great Chase: A Team Effort
As Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record, Frank and the rest of the Capitals are fully aware of the significance of every goal. But despite the historic chase, the team remains focused on their collective performance, knowing that strong play will naturally lead to Ovechkin getting his opportunities.
“I think the team is playing well, and we are playing a good five-man game on the ice.
I think he’s gonna be successful in his push because he just naturally knows how to score and find openings for that,” said Frank. “So I think if we have clean puck movement, and we are playing fast and well, he’s gonna find his opportunities every game.”
Every time Ovechkin scores, the excitement on the bench is undeniable. Even though he’s closing in on 900 career goals, his teammates still celebrate each one with enthusiasm, fully embracing the magnitude of his chase for history.
“For sure. I think everybody’s pushing for it, and every time he scores, there’s more excitement on the bench than I’ve ever seen,” explained Frank. “So, it’s really cool to see how happy everybody is every time he scores, even though he’s got almost 900 goals in his career. It’s pretty exciting.”
Looking Ahead
Ethen Frank’s journey to the NHL has been anything but conventional, but now that he’s here, he’s making the most of every opportunity. Learning from Ovechkin, contributing to the team’s success, and witnessing history firsthand—this is what dreams are made of.
While Frank may not have expected to be in this position just a few years ago, he’s embracing the moment and proving that sometimes, the best stories in hockey are the ones you never see coming.
Igor Rabiner has written for Sport-Express, the biggest Russian sports website, since 1994. He has covered seven FIFA World Cups, seven Winter Olympics, and three Summer Olympics. He is the author of 28 books with total sales of over 500,000 copies. He won an AIPS Sport Media Award for best column and interviewed exclusively Pele, Wayne Gretzky, Franz Beckenbauer, Alex Ovechkin and many other soccer, ice hockey, and tennis superstars. From 2016 to 2021, he has regularly contributed to the Russian version of NHL.com. Has contributed to The Guardian, British soccer magazine The Blizzard, and other world publications. One of the authors of the encyclopedia 'Kings of Ice," which came out in North America in 2002. From 2013 to 2021, Rabiner was a co-owner and teacher in a private sports journalism school in Russia. He has 56,500 followers on X and over 25,000 readers on Telegram, Facebook and Instagram.
