Ovechkin to serve as NHL ambassador in China

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will head to China in August to serve as an international ambassador for the NHL, the league announced Thursday.

The trip to Beijing will include visiting youth clinics, a media tour, and business development meetings.

"I think it is very important to spend time to help make people all over the world see how great a game hockey is," Ovechkin said. "I can't wait to spend time with all the hockey fans there and I hope to meet young kids who will be future NHL players. I can't wait for this trip."

The NHL staged preseason games in China in each of the last two years, but does not have any exhibitions scheduled for 2019.

Ovechkin completed his 14th NHL season in 2018-19 and won his eighth Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy after scoring 51 goals in 81 games.