He shoots, he scores... seven times.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday Wednesday on the ice, playing an exhibition hockey game in Sochi with veteran stars of the NHL.
Unsurprisingly, the exceptionally athletic Putin was the main draw, and clinched a rare double hat trick and then some, netting seven points for his team.
The event kicked off the fifth season of Russia's Night Hockey League, and saw Putin playing alongside international hockey legends like Pavel Bure and Vladimir Lutchenko. His team took home victory, beating their opponents 15 to 10.
The opposing team included Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as well as Putin's close friends — tycoons Gennady Timchenko and Arkady Rotenberg. Both were slapped with Western sanctions last year for their ties to Putin in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea.
But Putin was undoubtedly the star of the show, and event went home with a trophy for his team's win at the end and a medal for his contribution to hockey in Russia.
And while Russia's military was busy conducting operations in Syria, Putin was busy kicking ass on the ice, despite the fact that most players towered head and shoulders above the leader.
Hockey victory has become something of a tradition for the leader.
Back in May, Putin scored eight goals during an exhibition hockey match at the same area in Sochi, leading his team to a 18-6 victory.
In Moscow, Putin's social media fan club held an exhibition of portraits of Putin as various real and fictional characters, including Che Guevara, Father Christmas, Jupiter and Buddha.
In Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, officials were hosting a soccer game featuring Italian veterans to celebrate Putin's birthday. The organizers unfurled a banner covering the entire football pitch that read:
"The best president. Happy birthday!"
Putin celebrates his 63rd birthday
Some information from the Associated Press.