Alex Ovechkin paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during warmups of the Capitals' game against the Predators on Wednesday night.
Bryant wore No. 8 in the first half of his career, then switched to No. 24 at the start of the 2006-07 season. Ovechkin switched from No. 8 to No. 24 in warmups to honor Bryant:
8 —> 24
For Kobe. pic.twitter.com/EZvtTj0hjJ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 29, 2020
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2020
2️⃣ 4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/aY2U4S14pv
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2020
Tonight, Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) honors Kobe Bryant by wearing No. 24 in warmup. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/AcPvwCh4xH
— NHL (@NHL) January 30, 2020
Ovechkin's jersey will be signed and auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.
The day Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash, Ovechkin posted this on Instagram:
View this post on Instagram
I’m heartbroken.cant believe... Blessed to have the chance to meet you. RIP Legend. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Other NHL players have been honoring Bryant in recent days. Anze Kopitar and the Kings wore Bryant jerseys at the rink before their game against the Lightning on Wednesday:
.@AnzeKopitar on the impact that Kobe Bryant had on the community and why he and his teammates all chose to wear the @Lakers legend's jersey as they arrived to STAPLES Center.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/5EGdy19Wx3
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 30, 2020
Lightning players joined the Kings players in wearing these shirts:
Standing with you, LA. 💛💜 pic.twitter.com/8F0WKrxVEF
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 30, 2020
Both teams had stickers on their helmets to pay tribute:
All of our players will be joining the @lakings tonight with a special addition to our helmets.
For everyone. 💛💜 pic.twitter.com/0zmynp8jWK
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 30, 2020
Evander Kane wrote Bryant and Gianna's names on his stick:
.@evanderkane_9 has a special tribute on his stick tonight. pic.twitter.com/i2QU9NVQno
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 28, 2020
Other players took to social media to share their thoughts:
The shock and sadness we are all feeling is not only a testament to how powerful Kobe was on the court, but to his influence on all sports. RIP.
— JT Brown (@JTBrown23) January 26, 2020
Screaming “KOBEE” everytime you throw any object in any target will never be the same anymore.. can’t believe it. #RIPKobeBryant
— Mathieu Joseph (@MathJoseph7) January 26, 2020
Shocked and in complete disbelief... A father, husband, legend, and idol gone way too soon. Thank you for the time, the lessons, and 20 years of greatness. #ripmamba🐍 pic.twitter.com/oqAtpaMlz8
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) January 26, 2020
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