Alex Ovechkin has a history of writing and drawing creative things on his hockey sticks. Capitals reporter Mike Vogel posted a picture on his Instagram of the measuring stick Ovechkin uses to cut down his new sticks to size.

The stick is labeled “2017-18 Measure Stick Hands Off B****es.”

Photo: Mike Vogel

From 2013 to 2016, the stick’s warning was differently profane. “Measure Stick Don’t Touch Mother F*****s”

Photo: Michael Owen

Photo: @NJGoalieCoach

Ovechkin doesn’t just bring his creativity to bear on the measuring sticks. Back in the early days of his tenure with the Capitals, he also decorated his game sticks.

According to an interview with Dan Steinberg in 2007, Ovechkin gave them names.

“Drinking Man, Fat Man, Man Who Have Legs, and this is Girl,” Ovechkin said.

Photo: @NavyGF

There was some numerology involved.

“Drinking Man’s holding a stick in his left hand that looks like the number one,” Steinberg said of Ovechkin’s logic. “Fat Man has two eyes. Girl (i.e. No. 4) has two hands and two eyes. And Man Who Have Legs…

“How exactly do you get the number three out of Man Who Have Legs?” Steinberg asked Ovechkin.

“I don’t know,” Ovechkin answered. “Maybe third leg.”

…sure.

Ovechkin is an underrated artist. His self-portrait is *chef’s kiss* beautiful.

There may be a new warning if Ovechkin needs a new measuring stick for 2018-19. Whatever you do: don’t touch it.

Headline photo: Capitals