Washington Capitals say Alex Ovechkin was asked to appear in a campaign ad for United Russia, the pro-Putin party, during his visit home this summer.

The team said he was asked, but stopped short of confirming whether he agreed.

News reports call the ad 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 happened during his trip in Russia this summer.

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

No further details were provided by the Capitals.