Russian ice hockey star Alexander Ovechkin has vowed to put the pain suffered in Vancouver behind him as he seeks a first Olympic medal in Sochi.

Ovechkin's Russia side crashed out of the 2010 Games at the quarter-final stage after being defeated comfortably by Canada.

Now, the 28-year-old NHL player is out to silence his side's critics, telling reporters: "It is impossible to forget about the quarter-final against the Canadians when we were defeated 3-7.

"We need to forget the horror of Vancouver in order to move forward, and now I am only thinking about Sochi."

Russia get their ice hockey campaign underway next Thursday when they face Slovenia.