Alex Ovechkin Calls Fan and Leaves Voicemail When He Doesn’t Answer

There’s this saying that I personally made up years ago and it goes like this: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take, just make sure to stick by your phone if one of those shots was leaving Alex Ovechkin your phone number on Instagram in case he calls you back.” It’s snappy, and more importantly, directly on point here.

CJ Grinnell is a 20-year old forward for the East Coast Wizards in the Eastern Hockey League, and a big time Alex Ovechkin fan. He apparently left a message on one of Ovi’s Instagram photos with his phone number telling the Capitals star to call him. And why not? What is the worst that could have happened? Ovechkin doesn’t see it, or he ignores the message? Of course you take that shot if it means you might get to talk to him.

Turns out the worst thing that could happen, though, is that Alex Ovechkin actually calls you back and you miss the damn call so he has to leave a message. And then posts that message to Instagram, tagging you in the caption. Dan Steinberg at D.C. Sports Bog tracked Grinnell down and asked him about it and he’s obviously so upset with himself.

“It was a terrible feeling to miss the call,” Grinnell wrote to me. “You never want to miss a call from someone like Alex Ovechkin. I just didn’t think he’d actually call….I was getting calls till 2 am last night. We’re all hockey fans, and no one can fathom the fact that Ovi called. It’s still hard to comprehend.”

Even worse? He was watching replays of the NHL Skills Competition when Ovechkin called. Replays!

Since being tagged in the photo, Grinnell has apparently been bombarded with phone calls and text messages from friends, family, and, naturally, pranksters. So he made his profile private, but still hopes to get in touch with Ovechkin somehow to talk hockey.

[D.C. Sports Bog]