Ovechkin, who plays for the NHL's Washington Capitals, took to social media to share his condolences to the family of Floyd, whose death in police restraint has sparked nationwide protests against police brutality across America.

"Rest in peace, George Floyd," he tweeted.

"It's sad to watch what is happening around."

Ovechkin, whose home city of Washington saw the city's metropolitan police and military police violently clear protesters away from a route later taken by President Donald Trump to a local church for a photo session, said that people need to have more respect for their fellow citizens, regardless of the color of their skin.