Washington Capitals say Alex Ovechkin was asked to appear in a campaign ad 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 appears in the ad.

ESPN picked up the team's statement.

Ovechkin has not publicly commented.

The request came during his time at home in Russia this summer.

The ad has drawn attention because United Russia backs President Vladimir Putin.

No further details have been given by the Capitals.