| Alexander Ovechkin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
_(1).jpg) Ovechkin with theWashington Capitals in February 2020 | |||
| Born | (1985-09-17)17 September 1985 (age 40) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 238 lb (108 kg; 17 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams | Washington Capitals Dynamo Moscow | ||
| National team |  Russia | ||
| NHL draft | 1st overall,2004 Washington Capitals | ||
| Playing career | 2001–present | ||
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (Russian:Алексaндр Михайлович Овечкин,romanized: Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Ovechkin,pronounced[ɐlʲɪˈksandrɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn]; born 17 September 1985) is a Russian professionalice hockeyleft winger andcaptain of theWashington Capitals of theNational Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the Great 8" (in reference to his jersey number) and "Ovi", as well as "Alexander the Great" (Russian: Александр Великий) byRussian media, Ovechkin has scoredthe most career goals in NHL regular season history,[1][2][3] and is the only player in NHL history to have scored 900 regular season goals.
Ovechkin began his professional career withDynamo Moscow of theRussian Superleague in 2001, playing there for four seasons. Ovechkin was selected by the Capitalsfirst overall in the2004 NHL Entry Draft. In the2005–06 season, Ovechkin captured theCalder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year and finished third overall in league scoring.
Ovechkin has won theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer a record nine times and been runner-up once. He holds the NHL record for most 40-goal seasons with thirteen, and shares withMike Bossy andWayne Gretzky the record for most50-goal campaigns with nine. He is the only player to have tallied 200 or moregoals in three different decades, with 245 in the 2000s, 437 in the 2010s, and 213 in the 2020s.[4] He also holds multiple other NHL records, including the mostpower play goals, most goals inaway games, mostovertime goals, most game-winning goals, most individualgoalies scored upon, and most goals with one team.
He has won theHart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player three times (in 2008, 2009, and 2013) while also being a finalist two other times (2010 and 2015), and theaward for best player as voted on by theNational Hockey League Players' Association three times (2008, 2009, and 2010) while also being a finalist two other times (2013 and 2015). In2018, the Capitals won theStanley Cup for the first time, and Ovechkin was awarded theConn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the2018 playoffs. He has also been named to theNHL first All-Star team eight times, and the second All-Star team four times. In 2017, Ovechkin was named one of the100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.[5]
Internationally, Ovechkin has representedRussia in multiple tournaments. His firstIIHF tournament was the2002 World U18 Championship. The followingyear he made his debut at theWorld Junior Championship, helping Russia win the gold medal. He played two more years at the World Juniors, as well as once more at the World U18 Championships. Ovechkin's first senior tournament was the2004 World Championship, and he also played in theWorld Cup that year. Ovechkin has also played for Russia at theWinter Olympics in2006,2010, and2014. Overall, Ovechkin has represented Russia at thirteen World Championships and three Olympics in his career, winning the World Championship three times.
Ovechkin was born on 17 September 1985 inMoscow, the son of Soviet athletes.[6] His mother,Tatyana Ovechkina, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1976,1980) and world champion (1975) in basketball.[7][8] His father,Mikhail, was asoccer player.[9] His mother sensed her youngest son was destined for "sporting greatness". "From birth, it was obvious," she said. "In a child, it's clear immediately. He was very active and walking and curious."[10] His favorite NHL team growing up was theSan Jose Sharks and also was the first NHL jersey he received.[11] He was two years old when he first picked up a hockey stick. Whenever a hockey game came on television, he would drop whatever he was doing, refusing to allow his parents to change the channel.[12]
In early childhood, he moved with his family to a tall high-rise building surrounded by a "crumbling neighborhood" on the outskirts of Moscow.[6] There he attended public school No. 596, infamous for military discipline and a "tyrannical" principal, completing eight and a half grades before starting atDynamo Moscow's sports school.[a] While he saw his friends "getting high and getting dead," Ovechkin was attending daily training sessions morning and night. "You dive into sport with your head and arms and legs, and there's no time for anything else," he said of this early training.[13]
Whenever his parents were no longer able to get young Alex to hockey events, his elder brother Sergei stepped up, making sure his little brother got where he needed to go.[12] When Ovechkin was 10, Sergei died of a blood clot following a car accident. Ovechkin had a youth hockey game the next day, which his parents insisted he play in.[14] Ovechkin credits his elder brother Sergei for introducing him to hockey and encouraging him to pursue it. When he scores, Ovechkin will often kiss his glove and point to the sky in a salute to his brother.[12]
Ovechkin established his reputation within the Dynamo Moscow system by scoring 56 goals at the age of 11, surpassing the previous record held byPavel Bure, who had scored 53 goals.[12] Meanwhile, Ovechkin dreamed of playing in the NHL, keeping the cards of star players stashed in his room, especially those of his idol,Mario Lemieux.[6] "It's the best hockey there is," Ovechkin would say of the NHL.[6]
Ovechkin began playing in theRussian Super League (RSL) forDynamo Moscow at the age of 16. Making his professional debut in the 2001–02 season, he scored four points in 21 games. He would spend three seasons there prior to being drafted by the NHL, and he would rack up 36 goals and 32 assists in 152 career games.[15]
The following off-season, Ovechkin wasselected first overall in the2004 NHL Entry Draft by theWashington Capitals. He had been projected as the first overall pick for nearly two years[16] and had earned comparisons toMario Lemieux.[17] He was so highly regarded that theFlorida Panthers attempted to draft him in the2003 NHL Entry Draft in the ninth round, even though his birthday was two days after the cut-off (15 September1985).Rick Dudley, the general manager of the Panthers, claimed the pick was legitimate, claiming that Ovechkin was old enough withleap years taken into consideration.[17]
Due to the2004–05 NHL lockout, Ovechkin remained with Dynamo for one more season.[18] In the playoffs, he helped Dynamo win the RSL title.[19]
With the threat of the lockout canceling another NHL season, Ovechkin signed a contract with rival Russian teamAvangard Omsk. To maintain his eligibility for the NHL in the event that the lockout ended, the contract contained an out clause with a 20 July 2005 deadline. Although a new NHLcollective bargaining agreement (CBA) had not yet been reached between players and owners, Ovechkin decided to opt out and signed with the Capitals on5 August2005. The deal was a three-year, entry-level contract worth the rookie maximum of $984,200 per season with performance-based bonuses to inflate his annual salary to as much as $3.9 million.[20]
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Two days after signing, the lockout ended with a new CBA. Ovechkin played his first game with the Capitals in the2005–06 season opener on 5 October 2005, scoring two goals against goaliePascal Leclaire in a 3–2 victory over theColumbus Blue Jackets.[21] On 13 January 2006, inAnaheim, Ovechkin scored his first careerhat trick againstJean-Sébastien Giguère of theMighty Ducks of Anaheim to help Washington win the game.[22] Three days later, on 16 January, he scored a goal that veteran hockey commentatorBill Clement called "one of the greatest goals of all time."[23] Knocked down byPhoenix Coyotes defensemanPaul Mara and sliding on his back facing away from the net, Ovechkin was able to hook the puck with one hand on his stick and slide it into the net past goalieBrian Boucher for his second goal of the night. It became referred to as "The Goal."[24]Auston Matthews, a futureToronto Maple Leafs first overall selection, was in attendance during the game; he said in an interview in November 2016, shortly into the2016–17 season that it was the best goal he ever saw live.[25] On 1 February, Ovechkin was named NHL Rookie of the Month for January 2006 as well as being named Offensive Player of the Month, becoming only the third player in NHL history to earn both honors simultaneously.[26] Ovechkin finished the2005–06 season leading all NHL rookies in goals, points, power play goals and shots. He finished third overall in the NHL in scoring with 106 points and tied for third in goals with 52 and 54 assists. His 425 shots led the league, set an NHL rookie record,[27] and was the fourth-highest total in NHL history. Ovechkin's point total was the second-best in Washington Capitals history and his goals total tied for third in franchise history. He was also named to theNHL first All-Star team, the first rookie to receive the honor in 15 years.[28] After the season ended, Ovechkin received theCalder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best rookie.[29] He was also a finalist in his rookie season for theLester B. Pearson Award, which ultimately went toNew York Rangers wingerJaromír Jágr.[30]EA Sports made him one of the cover athletes forNHL 07.[31]
In the2006–07 season, Ovechkin appeared in his firstNHL All-Star Game on 24 January 2007.[32] He completed his second NHL season with 46 goals, 46 assists and 92 points in all 82 games.[33] However, the Capitals finished last in their division for the second time in Ovechkin's two years with the team.[8]
On 12 October 2007, Ovechkin scored his 100th NHL goal against goaltenderHenrik Lundqvist in a 3–2 loss to theNew York Rangers.[34] Playing in the final season of his rookie contract, in2007–08, Ovechkin signed a 13-year contract extension worth $124 million with the Capitals on 10 January 2008. The contract, which averaged $9.5 million per year, was the richest in NHL history. Working without an agent, Ovechkin negotiated with Capitals ownerTed Leonsis and former general managerGeorge McPhee.[35] Later in the season on 3 March against theBoston Bruins,[36] Ovechkin notched his 50th, 51st, and 52nd goals of the campaign for his fourth career NHL hat trick and hit the 50-goal mark for the second time in his career. Later that month, on 21 March, Ovechkin scored his 59th and 60th goals of the season against theAtlanta Thrashers, becoming the first NHL player to score 60 goals in a season sinceMario Lemieux andJaromír Jágr in1995–96[37] and 19th player overall.[38] Four days later, on 25 March against theCarolina Hurricanes, Ovechkin scored his 61st goal of the season to break the Washington Capitals' team record for goals in a single season previously held byDennis Maruk.[39] He also went on to breakLuc Robitaille's record for most goals by a left winger in one season on 3 April, by scoring two goals for his 64th and 65th of the season.[40] He also became the first NHL player to score at least 40 even-strength goals in one season sincePavel Bure in1999–2000.[41] Leading the league in scoring with 65 goals, 47 assists and 112 points in all 82 games played, Ovechkin captured both theArt Ross Trophy and theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 2007–08. It was the first time in 41 seasons that a left-winger led the NHL in points sinceBobby Hull led the league with 97 points in1965–66.[42] Ovechkin helped lead a rejuvenated Capitals team back to theStanley Cup playoffs for the first time since2003 with a stronger supporting cast that included winger and countrymanAlexander Semin, rookie centerNicklas Bäckström and defensemanMike Green as the team finished third in the East. He scored the game-winning goal in his NHL playoff debut with less than five minutes left in game 1 of the first round of the 2008 playoffs on 11 April against the sixth-seededPhiladelphia Flyers.[43] He scored nine points (four goals and five assists) in all seven games against the Flyers as the Capitals were eliminated in the opening round. After the season ended, Ovechkin was awarded theLester B. Pearson Award as the most outstanding player voted by theNational Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and theHart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP, becoming the first player in the history of the NHL to win four major regular season awards, including the Art Ross and Rocket Richard trophies.[44] Ovechkin was also awarded his third consecutiveKharlamov Trophy as the best Russian NHL player.[45]
On 27 October 2008, shortly into the2008–09 season, Ovechkin returned home to Moscow to visit his ailing grandfather, missing only the second game of his career up to that point, snapping a consecutive streak of 203 games played.[46] On 5 February 2009, Ovechkin scored his 200th goal, againstJonathan Quick of theLos Angeles Kings, becoming only the fourth player in the NHL to reach the milestone in four seasons, joiningWayne Gretzky,Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux.[47] On 19 March, he scored his 50th goal of the season against theTampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first Washington Capitals player to reach the 50-goal mark three times.[48] He finished the campaign with 56 goals to capture his second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy, joiningJarome Iginla and Pavel Bure as the third player to win the award twice and the second player after Bure (2000 and 2001) to win the award in back-to-back seasons. With 110 points (56 goals and 54 assists), he finished as runner-up to countrymanEvgeni Malkin of thePittsburgh Penguins for the Art Ross Trophy.[49] Ovechkin and the Capitals repeated as division champions en route to meeting the New York Rangers in the opening round. After advancing to the second round in seven games and erasing a3–1 series deficit against the Rangers, Ovechkin notched his first NHL playoff hat trick on 4 May, in game 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins to help Washington to a 4–3 win.Sidney Crosby also scored a hat trick in game 2. The Capitals were eventually defeated by Pittsburgh in seven games. Ovechkin finished the 2009 playoffs with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in Washington's 14 games.[50][51][52][53] He went on to win the Hart and Pearson trophies for the second consecutive year, becoming the seventeenth player in league history to win the Hart multiple times.[52][54]
Just over a month into the2009–10 season, Ovechkin suffered an upper-body injury during a game against theColumbus Blue Jackets on 1 November 2009, after a collision with opposing forwardRaffi Torres.[55] After returning, Ovechkin was suspended by the NHL on 1 December for two games (one for the action, and one for a second game misconduct penalty during the season) for a knee-on-knee hit to Carolina Hurricanes defensemanTim Gleason during a game the previous day.[56] Both Gleason and Ovechkin had to be helped off the ice, although Gleason later returned during the game, while Ovechkin did not. Ovechkin was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct at the time. Capitals head coachBruce Boudreau commented that Ovechkin's style of play was at times "reckless". The suspension was Ovechkin's first of his career, causing him to forfeit $98,844.16 in salary.[57] On 5 January 2010, Ovechkin was namedcaptain of the Washington Capitals after previous captainChris Clark was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He became the first European, second-youngest and 14th overall captain in team history.[58] On 5 February, at a game against the New York Rangers, Ovechkin, with his second goal and third point of the game, reached the 500-point milestone of his NHL career. He is the fifth player to achieve the milestone in only five seasons, reaching it in 373 career games.[59] On 14 March, at a game against theChicago Blackhawks atUnited Center, Ovechkin sent Blackhawks' defensemanBrian Campbell into the boards after Campbell had dumped the puck to the blue line. Ovechkin was called forboarding, receiving a five-minute major and a game misconduct,[60] and was suspended for two games (for a third game misconduct of the season, a two-game suspension is automatic).[61] Campbell suffered a fractured clavicle and fractured rib, and was expected to be out seven-to-eight weeks.[62] After the season, Ovechkin won theTed Lindsay Award, becoming the third player in NHL history to win the Pearson/Lindsay Award in three consecutive years.[63][b] He also led the NHL in goals per game and points per game for three straight seasons, from 2008 to 2010.[65] His 50 goals made him the runner up for the Richard Trophy which went to Pittsburgh Penguins forward and captainSidney Crosby and Tampa Bay Lightning forwardSteven Stamkos who both had 51 goals for league leader(s) in goals. Ovechkin was also the runner up for the Art Ross Trophy for the second straight season (alongside Crosby with both players having 109 points) only behindVancouver Canucks forwardHenrik Sedin, who ended with 112 points.[66] In 2009–10 Ovechkin surpassed the mark ofHall of Fame goaltenderBill Durnan (first four seasons from 1943 to 1944 through 1946–47) and became the first player in NHL history voted a First Team All-Star in each of his first five seasons.[67] Ovechkin also recorded 10 points (five goals and assists) in the2010 playoffs as the Capitals would lose the series in seven games to the eighth-seededMontreal Canadiens, surrendering a 3–1 series lead in the process.[68][69]
On 1 January2011, Ovechkin and the Capitals took part in the New Year's DayNHL Winter Classic, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. While Ovechkin did not score any points in his first career outdoor game, the Capitals won 3–1. On 9 March, in a 5–0 victory over theEdmonton Oilers, Ovechkin recorded his 600th career point with an assist on a goal byEric Fehr. On 5 April against theToronto Maple Leafs, Ovechkin scored his 300th career goal against Maple Leafs goaltenderJames Reimer, becoming the sixth-youngest and seventh-fastest player to do so.[70] He ended the2010–11 season with 32 goals and 53 assists for 85 points in 79 contests. In the2011 playoffs, Ovechkin recorded 10 points (five goals and assists) in all nine games as the top-seeded Capitals defeated the eighth-seeded New York Rangers in five games in the first round,[71] before they were swept in the second round by the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning.[72]
On 3 December 2011, Ovechkin played in his 500th NHL game in a 3–2 OT win over theOttawa Senators and ended the game with an assist recorded on a goal byTroy Brouwer.[73] On 23 January 2012, Ovechkin received a three-game suspension for a hit onZbyněk Michálek of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following day, Ovechkin announced he would not attend the2012 NHL All-Star Game due to the suspension.[74] Ovechkin ended the2011–12 season with 38 goals and 27 assists for 65 points in 78 games as the Capitals as a team finished as the seventh seed in the East. In the2012 playoffs, Ovechkin and the Capitals would upset the defending Stanley Cup champion and second-seeded Boston Bruins in seven games,[75] before falling in the second round by the top-seeded New York Rangers in seven games.[76] He would end the playoffs with five goals and four assists for nine points in all 14 games.[69]
During thelockout in the first half of the shortened2012–13 season, Ovechkin went to play in theKHL and re-joinedDynamo Moscow with his teammate Nicklas Bäckström. In 31 games for the team, Ovechkin scored 19 goals, 21 assists and 40 points. At the end of the season, the Dynamo would go on to win theGagarin Cup, albeit after the NHL lockout concluded and Ovechkin and Bäckström returned to North America in January 2013. However, Ovechkin and Bäckström still received championship rings from the team.[77] In the abbreviated 2012–13 season, Ovechkin led the NHL in goal scoring with 32, earning him his third Rocket Richard Trophy. He also added 24 assists to give him 56 total points in all 48 games played of the season, good for third-most points in the NHL with only Tampa Bay Lightning stars Steven Stamkos and league leaderMartin St. Louis ahead.[78] In the2013 playoffs, Ovechkin was limited to a goal and an assist for two points in all seven games as the third-seeded Capitals would lose in the first round in seven games by the sixth-seeded New York Rangers and giving up a 3–2 series lead during the series. After the season ended, he was also awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy for the third time in his career. Ovechkin was also a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award for the fifth time in his career, which was eventually given to Pittsburgh Penguins captain and center Sidney Crosby.[79] After the season, Ovechkin made history by being named to both the first and secondNHL All-Star teams. He had switched to playing right wing that entire season and thus was voted the first All-Star team's right wing, but because some voters were not aware of the change, they voted for him at his traditional left wing position, thereby also landing him at left wing on the second All-Star team.[80]
On 20 December 2013, in a game against theCarolina Hurricanes, Ovechkin scored into anempty net for his 400th career goal.[81] He became the sixth-fastest player to ever reach that mark, getting it in 634 games, one fewer thanPavel Bure. At the conclusion of the2013–14 season, Ovechkin had the strange distinction of winning theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, scoring 51 goals, while going −35, one of the NHL's worst, in theplus-minus statistic. However, the Capitals missed the2014 playoffs by three points, marking the first time since2006–07 where Ovechkin and the Capitals missed the playoffs.[82]
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On 4 November 2014, in a game against theCalgary Flames, Ovechkin recorded his 826th point, a franchise record, surpassingPeter Bondra, who previously held the record with 825 points.[52] On 31 March 2015, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the year on Hurricanes goaltenderCam Ward and became the sixth player in NHL history to have six 50-goal seasons, joiningGuy Lafleur,Mike Bossy,Wayne Gretzky,Marcel Dionne andMario Lemieux.[83] On 2 April, Ovechkin scored his 51st and 52nd goals of the season in a 5–4 shootout win againstCarey Price of theMontreal Canadiens, surpassing Bondra as the franchise leader in goals scored. It was also his 15th multi-goal game of the season, none of which was a hat trick.[84] Ovechkin finished the2014–15 season with 81 games played and 53 goals, 28 assists and 81 points.[85] His 53 goals once again led the league in goal scoring, capturing his fifth Rocket Richard Trophy as a result.[85] Ovechkin was named a finalist for theHart Memorial Trophy for the fifth time in his career and theTed Lindsay Award for the sixth time, both awards were ultimately awarded to Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price.[86][87] In the2015 playoffs, Ovechkin recorded five goals and four assists for nine points in all 14 playoff games as the fourth-seeded Capitals defeated the fifth-seededNew York Islanders in seven games in the first round before getting defeated in the second round in seven games by thePresidents' Trophy-winningNew York Rangers (despite the Capitals initially having a3–1 series lead before the eventual 4–3 series defeat).[88]
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On 7 November 2015, shortly into the2015–16 season, in the second period of a game against theToronto Maple Leafs, Ovechkin scored his eighth goal of the season to tieSergei Fedorov's tally for the most goals among Russian born players, with 483. On 19 November, Ovechkin scored his ninth goal of the season against goaltenderKari Lehtonen in a 3–2 loss to theDallas Stars; that goal broke Fedorov's record. On 10 January 2016, Ovechkin scored his 500th and 501st goals in a 7–1 victory over theOttawa Senators against goaltenderAndrew Hammond, becoming the 43rd player to reach the 500-goal plateau, and the fifth-fastest player to do so in his 801st game, as well as the first Russian.[89] On 9 April, in the 2015–16 season finale against theSt. Louis Blues, Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season and became the third player in NHL history to have seven or more 50-goal seasons.[90][91] During the2015–16 season, Ovechkin, for the first time in his career, did not lead the Washington Capitals in points, although he still led the team in goals and the entire league with 50 for his sixth Rocket Richard Trophy, and finished second on the team in points with 71, behind fellow countrymanEvgeny Kuznetsov, who finished with 77.[92] The Capitals would win the Presidents' Trophy as the regular season champions.[93] Ovechkin was named a finalist for theMark Messier Leadership Award for his contributions both on and off the ice during the regular season, which was eventually awarded toNashville Predators defenseman and captainShea Weber.[94] After defeating thePhiladelphia Flyers in six games in the first round of the2016 playoffs,[95] the Capitals lost their second-round series to thePittsburgh Penguins in game six after a 4–3 overtime defeat.[96]
On 11 January 2017, Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career point with a goal onMarc-André Fleury in a 7–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the 37th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points with only one team.[97] Ovechkin finished the2016–17 season playing all 82 games with 33 goals, 36 assists and 69 points to help the Capitals clinch their second consecutive presidents' Trophy and third in franchise history.[98] In the2017 playoffs, the Capitals defeated the eighth-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. Still, they were defeated in the second round for the second consecutive year by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, this time in seven games.[99] In the fallout of their playoff loss, Ovechkin was considered among the greatest players to have never won the Stanley Cup.[99] Upon returning to training camp the following season, Ovechkin arrived in Washington two weeks early and predicted: "We're not going to be suck this year [sic]."[100]
Ovechkin broke many NHL and Capitals' records during the2017–18 season. On 7 October 2017, he became the first player in 100 years with back-to-back hat tricks to start the season against the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, respectively.[101] On 21 October, in a game against theDetroit Red Wings, Ovechkin surpassedJaromír Jágr for most regular season overtime goals with the 20th of his career.[102] On 25 November, Ovechkin passed Peter Bondra as the team's all-time leader in hat tricks with the 20th of his career.[103] On 25 January 2018, Ovechkin recorded his 500th career assist on aNicklas Bäckström goal in a 4–2 win over theFlorida Panthers.[104] On 12 March, Ovechkin scored his 600th career goal againstConnor Hellebuyck of theWinnipeg Jets, making him the 20th player to do so, and the fourth to do so in fewer than 1,000 games.[105] On 1 April, Ovechkin would play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the first Capitals player to play 1,000 games and the 54th NHL player to do so with the same franchise.[106] At the conclusion of the season, Ovechkin was awarded the Rocket Richard trophy for the seventh time in his career with his league leading 49 goals.[107] He became the second player, tied withBobby Hull, to win the NHL's goal scoring title seven times.[108] Besides his 49 goals, Ovechkin also recorded 38 assists for 87 points in all 82 contests played as the Capitals finished as the second seed in the Eastern Conference and fifth in the NHL overall. During the2018 playoffs, Ovechkin scored 15 goals, 12 assists and 27 points in all 24 games averaging 20:44 of ice time per game.[109] After defeating the seventh-seededColumbus Blue Jackets in six games in the first round, the Capitals would once again meet their longtime rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the second round for the third straight season; headed by Penguins center and captainSidney Crosby, Ovechkin's main rival for the greatest player of their generation.[110][111][112] Ovechkin assisted on Evgeny Kuznetsov's game six overtime goal for 4–2 defeat in the series against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion and fourth-seeded Penguins to clinch his first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 13 seasons.[113][114] After defeating the Penguins in round two, Ovechkin would face another main rival of his generation inTampa Bay Lightning center and captainSteven Stamkos in the Eastern Conference Finals.[115] Ovechkin and the Capitals recovered from a 3–2 series deficit to defeat the top-seeded Lightning in seven games and reach theStanley Cup Finals, the second time in franchise history (they previously did in1998 before Ovechkin came to the team),[115] and defeated the second-seededVegas Golden Knights in five games to win theStanley Cup for the first time in franchise history and first in Ovechkin's career.[116] Ovechkin won theConn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs by NHL commissionerGary Bettman.[117]
On 6 December 2018, Ovechkin became the fastest player in NHL history and ninth overall to take 5,000 shots on goal, reaching that mark in 1,031 career games. Marcel Dionne, the previous holder of the record, required 184 more games than Ovechkin.[118] He scored the 21st hat trick of his NHL career in a 6–2 win over Detroit Red Wings on 11 December, passing Pavel Bure for most by a Russian-born player in league history.[119] On 14 December in a 6–5 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Ovechkin recorded his 23rd career hat trick with one of those goals being the 237th power play goal of his career on Hurricanes goaltenderScott Darling to pass Mario Lemieux for most power play goals with one franchise.[120][121] Ovechkin had a career-best 14 game point streak from 16 November to 15 December,[122] which included back-to-back hat tricks against the Red Wings on 10 December and Hurricanes on 15 December, respectively.[123][c] On 2 January 2019, Ovechkin was named a captain for the upcoming2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game, but announced that he was choosing to skip the game to rest, forcing him to serve an automatic one game suspension as a result.[124] On 5 February, Ovechkin recorded an assist on aT.J. Oshie goal for his 1,180th career point in a 3–2 win over theVancouver Canucks, surpassing Sergei Federov for the most points recorded by a Russian-born player, doing so in 193 fewer games than Fedorov.[125] Ovechkin ended the2018–19 season with 51 goals, 38 assists and 89 points in 81 games played while the Capitals as a team finished as the Metropolitan division champions for the fourth consecutive season and the second seed in the Eastern Conference overall for the second consecutive season and fourth in the NHL overall. His 51 goals earned him the Rocket Richard Trophy for the eighth time in his NHL career.[126] Ovechkin would also record four goals and five assists for nine points in all seven playoff games as the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals were upset in seven games in the first round of the2019 playoffs by the seventh-seeded Carolina Hurricanes, despite having a 3–2 series lead at one point.[127]
On 30 November 2019, in a 5–2 win over theDetroit Red Wings atLittle Caesars Arena, Ovechkin recorded his 24th career hat trick which passedJari Kurri for 10th most hat tricks in NHL history.[128] In that same game, he also recorded an assist on a goal byTom Wilson for a four-point night.[128] On 24 January 2020, Ovechkin was named to the NHL all decade team for the 2010s.[129] He ended the 2010s decade as the leading goal scorer (437 goals between 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019) and the third most points (with 780), only trailingSidney Crosby (788) andPatrick Kane (802), respectively. Ovechkin would be named captain for the2020 National Hockey League All-Star Game, and again chose to skip the game on 26 January, to rest, and would serve another automatic one game suspension.[130] On 22 February, Ovechkin scored his 700th career goal in the third period of a 3–2 loss against theNew Jersey Devils atPrudential Center, making him the eighth player in NHL history to accomplish the feat.[131] The2019–20 season ended three weeks early due to restriction surrounding theCOVID-19 pandemic, so Ovechkin andBoston Bruins forwardDavid Pastrňák were named co-winners of theRocket Richard Trophy, with each having 48 goals at the time.[132]
The2020–21 season would mark the first time in Ovechkin's NHL career where he would not score at least 30 goals and having finished with 24 goals mainly due to the season being shortened due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[133]
Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract extension with the Capitals on 27 July 2021.[134] Ovechkin was a pending free agent at the time of the2021 NHL expansion draft, allowing the Capitals to leave him unprotected for theSeattle Kraken to select and to protect other players; the Kraken ultimately selected goaltenderVítek Vaněček as their pick from Washington.[135] He scored his 28th careerhat trick, tyingMarcel Dionne andBobby Hull for sixth most in NHL history, on 26 November against theFlorida Panthers.[136] On 31 December, Ovechkin scored his 275th power play goal against the Detroit Red Wings, breakingDave Andreychuk's all-time record.[137] On 15 March 2022, Ovechkin scored his 767th career NHL goal in a 4–3 win over theNew York Islanders, moving him into third place for goals scored all-time in the NHL, passingJaromír Jágr;[138] he achieved the feat in 477 fewer games than Jagr, yet had also taken 400 more shots on goal.[139] On 20 April, in a 4–3 overtime loss against theVegas Golden Knights, he scored his 50th goal of the season for the ninth time in his career, tyingMike Bossy andWayne Gretzky for having the most 50-goal seasons in NHL history. At 36 years and 215 days of age, he is the oldest player to score 50 goals in a season; the previous oldest wasJohnny Bucyk, doing so at the age of 35 years and 308 days.[140] He ended the2021–22 season with 50 goals, 40 assists and 90 points in 77 games played as the Capitals finished the season as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference.[140] Ovechkin would also record a goal and five assists for six points in all six playoff games in the Capitals first round loss in the2022 playoffs by thePresidents' Trophy-winning Florida Panthers.[141]
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On 5 November 2022, Ovechkin scored his 787th goal with the Washington Capitals against theArizona Coyotes, setting a new NHL record for most goals with one team, a record previously held byGordie Howe.[142] He set another NHL best on 29 November, surpassing Gretzky for most road goals with 403, after scoring two goals against theVancouver Canucks.[143] Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to score 800 regular season goals, behind Howe and Gretzky, by scoring a hat trick against theChicago Blackhawks atUnited Center on 13 December.[144] It was also his 29th hat trick in the NHL, giving him the sixth most hat tricks by any player in the league's history.[145] On 23 December, Ovechkin scored his 801st and 802nd career goals in a 4–1 win against theWinnipeg Jets, passing Gordie Howe for the second most goals in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky.[146][147] Ovechkin tiedMike Gartner for having the most 30-goal seasons upon recording a 30-goal season for the 17th time on 14 January 2023,[148] in a 3–1 loss to thePhiladelphia Flyers.[149] He surpassed Gretzky to set a new NHL record for most 40-goal seasons after securing his 13th on 21 March, in a 7–6 overtime loss to theColumbus Blue Jackets.[150] The Capitals would miss the2023 playoffs by 12 points in the standings mainly due to injuries to other players on the team, marking the first time since2014 where the Capitals missed the playoffs.[151] Despite the team difficulties, Ovechkin still continued his individual success by having ended the2022–23 season with 42 goals, 33 assists and 75 points in 73 games played.[152]
On 7 December 2023, Ovechkin recorded his 1,500th point with an assist on a goal scored byDylan Strome in a 5–4 shootout loss to theDallas Stars to become the 16th player in NHL history to reach the mark.[153] Ovechkin later scored his 57th career empty-net goal in a 3–0 Capitals win over the Boston Bruins on 10 February 2024, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most all-time.[154] On 9 April, Ovechkin scored his 30th goal of the season on Detroit Red Wings goaltenderAlex Lyon for his 18th 30-goal campaign, passing Mike Gartner for most 30-goal seasons in NHL history.[155] He finished the2023–24 season with 31 goals, 34 assists and 65 points in 79 games played. Ovechkin and the Capitals narrowly got back into the playoffs as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference, however, Ovechkin did not record a single goal or assist as the Capitals were swept in four games by the presidents' Trophy-winningNew York Rangers in the first round of the2024 playoffs.[156]
On 15 October 2024, Ovechkin recorded his 700th career assist on a goal byAliaksei Protas in a 4–2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, becoming the 60th player in NHL history to reach the mark.[157] On 2 November, he became the fourth player in NHL history 39 years of age or older to record three points in consecutive games (a goal and two assists in a 6–3 win against theMontreal Canadiens on 31 October and a goal and two assists in a 7–2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on 2 November) afterTim Horton (1968–69),Gordie Howe (1968–69) andJean Ratelle (1980–81).[158] On 18 November, in a 6–2 win over theUtah Hockey Club, Ovechkin sustained a brokenfibula as a result of a knee-on-knee collision with Utah forwardJack McBain, sidelining him for four-to-six weeks.[159] At the time of this injury, Ovechkin had a league-leading 15 goals (including two goals earlier in the game against Utah prior to the injury) along with 10 assists for 25 points in the first 18 games of the2024–25 season. After missing 16 games, Ovechkin returned to the Capitals lineup on 28 December in a 5–2 win over theToronto Maple Leafs, where he would record an empty-net goal.[160][161]
On 11 January 2025, Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal in a 4–1 win over theNashville Predators, making him the second player in NHL history to record 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons, after Gordie Howe.[162] On 16 January, Ovechkin recorded the lone goal of the game in a 1–0 overtime win against theOttawa Senators. This goal on Senators goaltenderLeevi Meriläinen resulted in Ovechkin surpassing Jaromir Jagr for most goalies scored on in NHL history with 179 different goaltenders since the start of his NHL career in 2005.[163] On 23 February, Ovechkin recorded his 32nd career hat trick in a 7–3 victory against theEdmonton Oilers, making him the first player in NHL history to score 200 or more goals in three different decades (245 goals in the 2000s, a league high 437 goals in the 2010s and 200 in the 2020s).[4] Over a month later, on 4 April, Ovechkin scored his 893rd and 894th goals in a 5–3 victory over theChicago Blackhawks, tying Wayne Gretzky forthe all-time goals record. His 893rd goal also marked his 40th of the season, extending his own record for 40-goal seasons to 14 and becoming only the second player in NHL history, after Gordie Howe, to record a 40-goal season at age 39 or older.[164] During the Capitals' next game two days later, on 6 April, against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin scored the Capitals' only goal in the second period of a 4–1 loss on a power play against goaltenderIlya Sorokin to become the all-time NHL leading goal scorer.[165] Ovechkin's record-breaking 895th goal came in his 1,487th career game, the same number of games as Gretzky's career total.[166]
Ovechkin ended the season with 44 goals and 29 assists for 73 points in 65 games as the Capitals as a team finished as the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the presidents' Trophy runner-up. His 44 goals ranked third in the league only behind the 45 goals by Toronto Maple Leafs' wingerWilliam Nylander and the league-leading 52 goals by Edmonton Oilers' centreLeon Draisaitl, respectively. Ovechkin was also named the Capitals' nominee for theBill Masterton Memorial Trophy as the player who shows the best qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey but was not named a top three finalist by the NHL.[167] On 21 April in the first game of the first round of the2025 playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens, Ovechkin recorded two goals (including the game-winner) on goaltenderSam Montembeault and an assist on a goal byAnthony Beauvillier. The game-winning goal was Ovechkin's first career playoff overtime goal to give the Capitals a 3–2 OT victory to give the Capitals a 1–0 lead in the series.[168] Ovechkin and the Capitals would eventually defeat the eighth-seeded Canadiens in five games, marking the first time the Capitals won a playoff series of any kind since the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. The Capitals, however, were upset in the second round in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes. Ovechkin ended the playoffs with five goals and an assist for six points in all 10 games. For his efforts in the season and his continued impact off the ice, Ovechkin was named the winner of theMark Messier Leadership Award byMark Messier himself as the most superior leader within their sport by setting a positive example through on-ice performance and as a contributing member of his community.[169]
On 5 November 2025, in a 6–1 victory over theSt. Louis Blues atCapital One Arena, Ovechkin scored his 900th career goal, making him the first player in NHL history to reach that milestone.[170] In a 2–1 victory over theLos Angeles Kings, Ovechkin scored his 442nd goal in Capital One Arena on 17 November, surpassing Gordie Howe for the most regular season goals scored in one building.[171]
"When (other) guys shoot it, it goes in somewhat of a straight line. His is dipping, diving, rising, sinking. It just comes at you. It's not like any other shot.
Ovechkin is widely considered a generational talent and the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.[173] He overtookWayne Gretzky in total career goals (894) in April 2025. Gretzky himself had stated he was cheering for Ovechkin to break his record,[174] and when asked about it in April 2019, Gretzky stated he wanted to be the first one to shake Ovechkin's hand if he were to do so;[175][176] Gretzky went down to ice level to congratulate Ovechkin when he set the new record on 6 April 2025.[177]
He is known[178] for his deadlyone-timer,[179] which he usually fires from the left faceoff circle,[180] an area known as his "office".[181] In August 2006,New York Rangers forwardJaromír Jágr expressed admiration for Ovechkin's goal scoring productivity by quoting "All his goals, they are not flukes. Most of the time, he beats guys one-on-one, then you get your highlight".[182] In October 2014, teammateBrooks Orpik said of his one-timer: "You know it's going there, and you still can't stop him."[180] Ovechkin proves "the exception rather than the rule when it comes to success" on one-timers, which "can be very difficult to pull off," involving "taking a hard pass and timing a shot perfectly, when the puck may be rolling or on end, while also aiming at a small net, particularly from far distances."[179] In October 2014,Tampa Bay Lightning captainSteven Stamkos said of Ovechkin's playing style, "He's a guy that not only uses his skill set, but his physicality, that's what sets him apart. He's willing to go to those areas and has one of the best shots in the league."[183] In July 2015,Los Angeles Kings goaltenderJonathan Quick quoted Ovechkin's powerful shooting skills by saying "Guys like Ovi shoot it so hard that it's almost like you're a batter in baseball. You see the blur of the puck coming at you in frames."[184]
Ovechkin's ability to shoot and hit heavily as apower forward[185][186][187] has been well documented. After clinching the hardest shot title at the2018 National Hockey League All-Star Game skills competition with a 98.8 mph first attempt, he became the only player in the 2018 All Star game to break the century mark, surpassing 100 mph on his second shot,[188] stepping "up to plate and delivered a blistering 101.3 MPH blast."[189] In April 2025, Capitals teammateTom Wilson exclaimed on Ovechkin's capabilities by saying: “He's a machine. He's out there creating energy for our team, scoring. ... That's what a leader does. It's one thing to be good all season long, but the guys that show up and hit and block shots and lead the team, that's why he's a legend.”[190]
Ovechkin has been awarded theHart Memorial Trophy honoring the most valuable player in the league three times (2008, 2009, 2013) and was also a finalist for the award two other times (in 2010 and 2015). Ovechkin's most enduring nickname is "The Great 8".[191][d]
While Ovechkin has been well known for being a prolific goal-scorer with his powerful shooting skills, he has also been shown to be a proficient passer and setting up goals scored by teammates.[192] On 25 January 2018, when Ovechkin recorded his 500th assist on aNicklas Bäckström goal in a 4–2 win over theFlorida Panthers, then–Capitals head coachBarry Trotz said after the game, "He's a legendary player. He's getting the points, the goals, the assists. Everybody thinks of Alex as a pure goal-scorer, which he is, and he's got to those numbers hundreds of games before other people have reached that number but you always tend to forget he's a pretty good playmaker as well."[104] On 22 October 2018, in a game against theVancouver Canucks, after Vancouver had pulled their goalie, Ovechkin passed the puck to teammateT. J. Oshie rather than score the easyhat-trick for himself since he had scored twice earlier in the game.[193] "[Oshie asked] 'Why did you pass me the puck?'" Ovechkin said. "But he was so wide open and I try to give him pass. Save mine for next time."[194][195] On 9 February 2025, after a 5–4 shootout loss to theUtah Hockey Club, a game where Ovechkin was held goalless but recorded three assists, Capitals head coachSpencer Carbery described Ovechkin's passing abilities by remarking "Everybody is so focused on his shot when he gets the puck, you're always thinking shot, shot, shot. But he's got that look-off pass too, the shot-pass, I call it".[196]
Ovechkin has also been recognized for showing opposing players respect and admiration for either returning to their team after overcoming hard obstacles off the ice or by their performance on the ice.[197][198] For example, In a game against theMontreal Canadiens on 19 November 2018, early in to the2018–19 season, Canadiens goaltenderCarey Price made a sprawling stop on Ovechkin's signature left circle slapshot in the dying seconds of the third period with both teams tied 4–4 and once he covered up the puck he skated over to Price and applauded him for his effort in denying him a hat trick and the game winner.[199] The Capitals would go on to defeat the Canadiens in OT 5–4 with former CanadienLars Eller scoring the winning goal for the Capitals but if Ovechkin had scored it would've been a regulation 5–4 win for the Capitals and a hat trick for Ovechkin himself since he already had two goals earlier in that same game.[199] Also, in a game against the Montreal Canadiens on 16 April 2022, towards the end of the2021–22 season, Ovechkin showed respect and admiration for Canadiens goaltender Price by giving him a fist bump from across their respective benches during a stoppage of play. The Canadiens game the previous day against the New York Islanders was Price's first game back from a knee injury he sustained the previous summer in the2021 Stanley Cup Finals against theTampa Bay Lightning, where Price and the Canadiens lost the series in five games. Price had multiple setbacks in his recovery, which included a brief stint in the NHL Players' Assistance Program to get help with his mental health after coming forward about his struggles fromalcohol abuse. When asked about this welcome back gesture in a post-game interview, Ovechkin responded by saying "Obviously, he's one of the best players in the league. He was in a tough situation. He's a warrior and good for him, his organization, his family and the game of hockey."[200]
The Capitals' morning skate ritually begins with Ovechkin "sprinting around the rink, a solo lap to the sound of sticks tapping from his teammates." After he completes the lap, the rest of the team comes onto the ice to join him.[201] Ovechkin is known as a durable player, losing little time to injuries, illnesses, or suspensions. After being struck on the foot by a teammate's wrist shot during an 26 October 2006 practice in Vancouver, he "crumpled to the ice and had to be helped to the locker room." Exhibiting no ill effects in practice the next day, Ovechkin famously told reporters, "I'm okay; Russian machine never breaks."[202]
Late in the2008–09 season, Ovechkin garnered some criticism over his exuberant after-goal celebrations. On 28 February 2009, during a segment ofHockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner, Canadian hockey analystDon Cherry likened Ovechkin's celebrations of jumping into the boards and his teammates to that of soccer players, concluding that this was not the Canadian way and advising Canadian kids to ignore Ovechkin's example. Then-Capitals head coachBruce Boudreau came to Ovechkin's defense, stating Cherry "doesn't know Alex like we know Alex", and Ovechkin himself stated that he "doesn't care" about Cherry.[203] The next notable incident happened on 19 March 2009, in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After scoring his 50th goal of the season, Ovechkin put his stick on the ice, pretending to warm his hands over it because it was "hot". The incident sparked an immediate response from then–Tampa Bay head coachRick Tocchet, who said that "[Ovechkin] went down a notch in my books." Boudreau had also stated that he would discuss the incident with Ovechkin, and then-teammateMike Green, despite being the first to celebrate with Ovechkin afterwards, commented that he did not wish to join in the pre-meditated celebration.[204] Ovechkin himself was unapologetic, and said about Don Cherry in particular, "He's going to be pissed off for sure...I love it!".[205]
After using and endorsingCCM equipment for most of his career, Ovechkin made the move toBauer Hockey in August 2011 following a decline in his point production in the2010–11 season.[206] He continued to use Bauer equipment until the Stanley Cup-winning2017–18 season, when he switched back to CCM.[207] Beginning in the 2023–24 season, Ovechkin began using a custom-manufactured-and-branded stick, featuring his own "8" logo.[208]
At the age of 16, Ovechkin played at the 2002 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored two hat tricks, one against Switzerland and one against the United States, and an assist.[209]
At the age of 17, when he was selected by Russian coachViktor Tikhonov to play in theČeská Pojišťovna Cup EuroTour tournament, Ovechkin became the youngest skater ever to play for the Russian national team. In that tournament, he also became the youngest player ever to score for the national team. He also was selected to play at the2002 IIHF World U18 Championships, in which he amassed 14 goals and four assists in eight games, leading Russia to a silver medal.[15][210] Ovechkin now shares the single tournament goals record withCole Caufield, who scored as many in seven games at the2019 IIHF World U18 Championships.[211]
At the age of 18, Ovechkin was named captain of the junior Russian national team. Russia finished fifth in the tournament. In 2003, the team would go on to win a gold medal in theWorld Junior Championships.[212]
At the age of 19, Ovechkin was named to theRussian national team for the2004 World Cup of Hockey, making him the youngest player to play in the tournament.[213][214] That same year, Ovechkin was named captain of the junior team in the2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[215] The tournament, lasting from 25 December 2004 to 4 January 2005, was Ovechkin's third and last. At the conclusion of the tournament, he had collected seven goals,[216] tied for the tournament lead. His team received the silver medal after losing the gold medal game to Canada on 4 January,[217] and Ovechkin was named the Best Forward of the tournament[216] as well as selected to the tournament All-Star team. In 2005, Ovechkin played in his firstIIHF men's World Championships.[218] He scored five goals and three assists, landing eighth in the top scorers list and sharing third place in goal scoring.[219]
In 2006, Ovechkin played in his first Winter Olympic Games.[220] Although Russia came away from the games without a medal, Ovechkin scored five goals in the tournament, including the game-winner against Canada'sMartin Brodeur, eliminating Canada from the tournament.[221][222] Ovechkin was the only non-Swedish or Finnish player named to the all-tournament team, with the former two nations having won the gold and silver medals.[223]
At the2006 IIHF World Championships, Ovechkin scored six goals and three assists (nine points) in seven games before Russia lost 4–3 to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.[224] For his efforts, Ovechkin was one of six players selected to the Media All-Star team.[225]
At the2008 IIHF World Championships, Ovechkin helped lead Russia to the gold medal by finishing with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in nine games.[226] He was selected to the Media All-Star team for the second time in five tournament appearances.[225]
In the2010 Winter Olympics, Ovechkin and Team Russia were one of the favorites to win the Gold Medal. Despite high expectations, Russia lost to Canada 7–3 in the quarterfinals. Ovechkin finished with two goals and two assists in Russia's four games.[227]
After being eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs, Ovechkin joined Russia for the2010 IIHF World Championships along with many other Russian stars, such asEvgeni Malkin,Pavel Datsyuk andIlya Kovalchuk. Despite being heavily favored to win the tournament, Russia lost to the Czech Republic in the finals.[228]
Ovechkin also joined the Russian team for the2011 IIHF World Championships after the Capitals were eliminated from theNHL playoffs.[229] He played in five games for the Russian team, but did not manage to score any points, the first time he failed to score any points in a World Championship tournament.[230]
Ovechkin played in Russia's last three games of the2012 IIHF World Championships. He recorded two goals and two assists as Russia won the tournament.[231][232]
Ovechkin also represented Russia in2013 IIHF World Championships. He joined the national team after the Capitals were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2013.[233] Russia had already advanced to the first playoff round where they faced the U.S. The Americans defeated Russia 8–3, eliminating them from the tournament.[234]
In the2014 Winter Olympics, Ovechkin represented Russia under enormous pressure as the tournament was hosted on home ice inSochi.[235] Russia lost to arch-rivals Finland 3–1 in the quarter-final round.[236]
Ovechkin participated in the2014 IIHF World Championships where Russia won gold.[237] After the tournament, he askedVladimir Putin to reward the Russian hockey team on an equal basis with the2014 Olympic champions.[238][239] That was criticized as the World Championship was considered insignificant compared to Olympic gold, which Russia had failed to win earlier that year in Sochi.[240] He also joined the Russian team late in the2015 IIHF World Championships,[241] where Russia won the silver medal.[242][243]
Ovechkin was the cover athlete of2K Sports hockey simulation video gameNHL 2K10, as well as the cover athlete ofEA Sports'NHL 07 andNHL 21. On 11 June 2008, Ovechkin launched his own line of designerstreetwear withCCM.[244] On 6 July 2009, Ovechkin was named an ambassador for the2014 Winter Olympics inSochi, Russia.[245] In late 2009, he was namedGQ's 48th most powerful person in Washington, D.C.[246] In 2011, Ovechkin signed a long-term sponsorship deal with sportswear brandNike.[247]
On 4 January 2011, halfway into the 2010–11 season, Ovechkin was featured in one ofESPN'sThis is SportsCenter commercials, in which he laughed off a question by ESPN personalitySteve Levy accusing him of being a Russian spy before being pulled upward by a line through an open ceiling tile by countryman and then-Capitals teammateSemyon Varlamov.[248]
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Ovechkin is a dedicated car enthusiast, owning many fine automobiles, such as aMercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series and a customMercedes S63 AMG.[249][250] In January 2015, at the2015 NHL All-Star Game, Ovechkin lobbiedHonda for a new car, and brought an element of silliness to the "draft" where he was chosen third to last; the last two players selected,Ryan Nugent-Hopkins andFilip Forsberg, each received a new car, but Ovechkin would not give up. When Honda representatives asked his agent why he wanted a car so badly, they were told that he planned to donate it to the American Special Hockey Association, and at the end of the event, he was handed the keys to a newHonda Accord. That Accord was auctioned off, and the proceeds used to benefit the charity Ovechkin highlighted and brought attention to with his antics.[251]
Following the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup victory, Ovechkin participated in a number of memorable celebrations, including an incident on 9 June 2018, two days after the Capitals' victory, where he and teammatesT. J. Oshie,Braden Holtby,Lars Eller andTom Wilson swam in the fountains at theGeorgetown waterfront with the Cup.[252] The summer of 2018 was dubbed by the Washington media as "The Summer of Ovi."[253]
Ovechkin is a keensoccer fan and an avid supporter ofLiverpool F.C.[254] In May 2021, he was reportedly also an investor in theWashington Spirit, a professional team in theNational Women's Soccer League,[255] butSportico reported in June 2022 that he might not have formally completed the process to acquire the stake, and that even if he had, it was unclear whether he retained his stake after the club was sold in February 2022.[256] In June 2022, he signed a one-game contract withFC Dynamo Moscow, the club his father played for, in a friendly against FC Amkal Moscow.[257] He wore the number 3 jersey in honor of his father, who wore the number when he played for the club.[257] Ovechkin scored a goal in the match.[258]
Ovechkin has appeared in three films:Zaytsev, zhgi! Istoriya shoumena (2010) as an actor, andNHL: Just Like Me (2008) andBoys to the Bigs (2008) as himself.[259]
On 23 August 2025, it was announced that he had become one of the official ambassadors ofIntervision 2025.[260][261][262]
In 2006, Ovechkin created a program called Ovi's Crazy 8's, a program through which he purchases and donates eight Capitals season tickets to Most Valuable Kids which allows fans who normally wouldn't have access to tickets the opportunity to attend Capitals home games.[263] As of 2024, more than 5,700 individuals have had a chance to see a game free of charge through this program.[264]
Since 2014, Ovechkin has been an ambassador for the American Special Hockey Association, a charity which supports individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities and the mission to give them a chance to learn and grow by playing ice hockey.[264][265]
In March 2025, Ovechkin announced that he would be partnering up withHockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation to raise money and awareness forpediatric cancer for every goal he scores as he closed in on breaking the all time goal-scoring record.[266]
In January 2017, Ovechkin said: "I have a good relationship with Russians and with Americans. So, I'm neutral."[267] In November 2017, Ovechkin started a movement calledPutinTeam in support of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin during the2018 Russian presidential election.[268] Asked whether it was political, Ovechkin described his actions as a show of support for Russia, "I just support my country, you know? That's where I'm from, my parents live there, all my friends. Like every human from different countries, they support their president. It's not about political stuff."[269] Of his participation in PutinTeam, Ovechkin also said:
I'm not a politic. I don't know what's happening out there. I know it's a hard situation, but it is what it is. You know, I play here, and this is my second home. I don't want to fight between two countries, because it's going to be a mess.[268]
PutinTeam was first announced in a 2 November 2017 post on Ovechkin's Instagram account, which has over one million followers.[270] On 23 November, Ovechkin announced on his Instagram that the group's official website had been launched.[271] On the soft launch of the site, visitors were encouraged to sign up for the team, track related news, participate in contests and attend and organize events.[268] Ovechkin has claimed that the idea for PutinTeam was all his and that the group is non-political in its nature.Vedomosti, a Russian financial newspaper, reported that Kremlin sources have said that IMA-Consulting were behind the creation of the organization.[268] A Kremlin-supported public-relations firm, IMA-Consulting reportedly held a $600,000 contract to promote the2018 Russian presidential elections. The Kremlin spoke in support of the movement after its announcement.[272][273] According toThe Washington Post, Ovechkin has a personal relationship with Putin.[268] Ovechkin has a personal phone number for Putin, who is a big hockey fan, and received a gift from Putin at his 2016 wedding.[268] Ovechkin said that he and Putin do not have much in common: "We talk about hockey and all that stuff. That's it."[268]
On 25 February 2022, following theRussian invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin called for peace and no more war without mentioning Russia or Ukraine directly.[274][275] He said "I have family back in Russia. It's scary moments. We can't do anything. We just hope it's going to end soon and everyone's going to be all right."[276] In May 2022, Ovechkin responded to a question about Putin: "He is my president, right? I am Russian. What else can I say?" According to some experts and people close to Ovechkin, renouncing Putin andcondemning the invasion of Ukraine could have negative consequences for Ovechkin and his family members living in Russia, given therepressive nature ofPutin's regime.[277][278] Ovechkin reportedly wanted to change his Instagram profile picture from Putin to apeace symbol after the invasion but was warned that doing so would potentially put his family in Russia in danger.[279]
Ovechkin was involved in a feud withPittsburgh Penguins forwardEvgeni Malkin, who was drafted second behind Ovechkin in the2004 NHL Entry Draft. Though the two were reported to be good friends when they roomed together during the2006 Winter Olympics inTurin, Italy, this friendship quickly saw tension arise.[280] The feud may have started in August 2007 when Ovechkin punched Malkin's Russian agent, Gennady Ushakov, at a Moscow nightclub. Ovechkin denied that version of events, while Malkin confirmed it. On 21 January 2008, in Pittsburgh, Ovechkin took a run at Malkin, which would have seemingly resulted in a devastating hit had Malkin not ducked out of the way just in time. The two would also not make eye contact at the 2008 NHL Awards Ceremony. Ovechkin has repeatedly denied "having it out" for Malkin.[280] In 2009, in an interview with RT, Ovechkin would confirm that the event in which he punched Malkin's agent was true, while also stating "but is okay".[281]
The feud raised many concerns as to its effect on the league,[280] and the Russian national team at the2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.[282] On 24 January 2009, at theSuperSkills Competition, Malkin assisted Ovechkin in his stunt during theBreakaway Challenge.[283] Malkin handed Ovechkin his props for the stunt as well as handing him his stick and pouring some sports drink down Ovechkin's throat. It has been reported thatIlya Kovalchuk, who was then theAtlanta Thrashers' captain and a teammate of Ovechkin and Malkin on the Russian national team, brokered the peace between the two.[284]
Malkin gave a speech at Ovechkin's 35th birthday party in September 2020. The two are reportedly very close friends again, with the feud long in the past.[285]
In 2006 at a preseason charity golf tournament inSpringfield, Virginia, while playing golf for his first time, Ovechkin made ahole in one on apar 3 hole.[286]
Ovechkin was formerly engaged to tennis playerMaria Kirilenko. On 21 July 2014, Kirilenko announced that the wedding was called off and that the two were no longer seeing each other.[287] On 11 September 2015, Ovechkin announced his engagement to Nastya Shubskaya, the daughter of Russian actressVera Glagoleva,[288] whom he subsequently married.[289]
Ovechkin and his wife have two children. In August 2018, the couple had a son, whom they named Sergei after Ovechkin's late brother.[290] In May 2020, the couple had a second son whom they named Ilya.[291]
By June 2021, Ovechkin was studying for and close to obtaining aCandidate of Sciences,[292] the Russian equivalent of a PhD.[293] Ovechkin's field of study isPedagogical Sciences.[292]
Bold indicates led league
Bold italics indicate NHL record
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2001–02 | Dynamo Moscow-2 | RUS-3 | 19 | 18 | 8 | 26 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Dynamo Moscow | RSL | 21 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Dynamo Moscow | RSL | 40 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2003–04 | Dynamo Moscow | RSL | 53 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2004–05 | Dynamo Moscow | RSL | 37 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 32 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 31 | ||
| 2005–06 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 81 | 52 | 54 | 106 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 82 | 46 | 46 | 92 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 82 | 65 | 47 | 112 | 40 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 79 | 56 | 54 | 110 | 72 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 | ||
| 2009–10 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 72 | 50 | 59 | 109 | 89 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 8 | ||
| 2010–11 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 79 | 32 | 53 | 85 | 48 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | ||
| 2011–12 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 78 | 38 | 27 | 65 | 56 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 2012–13 | Dynamo Moscow | KHL | 31 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 48 | 32 | 24 | 56 | 46 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2013–14 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 78 | 51 | 28 | 79 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 81 | 53 | 28 | 81 | 58 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 2015–16 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 79 | 50 | 21 | 71 | 33 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 82 | 33 | 36 | 69 | 50 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 8 | ||
| 2017–18 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 82 | 49 | 38 | 87 | 32 | 24 | 15 | 12 | 27 | 8 | ||
| 2018–19 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 81 | 51 | 38 | 89 | 40 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 19 | ||
| 2019–20 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 68 | 48 | 19 | 67 | 30 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 45 | 24 | 18 | 42 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 77 | 50 | 40 | 90 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 73 | 42 | 33 | 75 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 79 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 65 | 44 | 29 | 73 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6 | ||
| RSL totals | 151 | 36 | 33 | 69 | 106 | 21 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 35 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1,491 | 897 | 726 | 1,623 | 831 | 161 | 77 | 70 | 147 | 83 | ||||
| KHL totals | 31 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 14 | 134 | 234 | 12 | 97 | 198 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Russia | U17 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 17 | |
| 2002 | Russia | WJC18 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 18 | 0 | |
| 2003 | Russia | WJC | 6 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2003 | Russia | WJC18 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 6 | |
| 2004 | Russia | WJC | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 25 | |
| 2004 | Russia | WC | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2004 | Russia | WCH | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2005 | Russia | WJC | 6 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 4 | |
| 2005 | Russia | WC | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 | |
| 2006 | Russia | OLY | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 8 | |
| 2006 | Russia | WC | 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 6 | |
| 2007 | Russia | WC | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 29 | |
| 2008 | Russia | WC | 9 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 8 | |
| 2010 | Russia | OLY | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2010 | Russia | WC | 9 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2011 | Russia | WC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2012 | Russia | WC | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2013 | Russia | WC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | Russia | OLY | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | Russia | WC | 9 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 8 | |
| 2015 | Russia | WC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2016 | Russia | WC | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2016 | Russia | WCH | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 2019 | Russia | WC | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 37 | 53 | 17 | 70 | 56 | |||
| Senior totals | 106 | 45 | 34 | 79 | 85 | |||
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Order of HonourThe son of soccer star Mikhail Ovechkin and a two-time Olympic medalist in basketball, Tatyana Ovechkina
Ovechkin broke Capitals' rookie records for goals (52), assists (54), points (106), power play goals (21) and shots (425), while breaking the NHL rookie record for shots on goal (425)
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin became the first rookie since Chicago's Ed Belfour in 1990–91 to earn First Team honors
Ovechkin made NHL history in 2009–10 by capturing First Team honors in each of his first five NHL seasons
At 19, he was the youngest player in the tournament.
Although his Russia failed to win a medal, Ovechkin scored five goals in the [2006 Olympic] tournament and was the only player not on the Swedish (gold medal winners) or Finnish (silver medal winners) teams to be named to the all-tournament team.
Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin...will serve as an "official ambassador" for the 2014 Sochi Games, officials said yesterday.
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | NHL first overall draft pick Representative for no comment56 2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Washington Capitals first round draft pick 2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theCalder Memorial Trophy 2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | EA Sports NHL Cover Athlete 2007 2021 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theArt Ross Trophy 2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theHart Memorial Trophy 2008,2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theLester B. Pearson Award 2008,2009 | Renamed Ted Lindsay Award |
| Preceded by | Winner of theRocket Richard Trophy 2008,2009 | Succeeded by |
| New award Formerly the Lester B. Pearson Award | Winner of theTed Lindsay Award 2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theHart Memorial Trophy 2013 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theRocket Richard Trophy 2013,2014,2015,2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theRocket Richard Trophy 2018,2019,2020 (withDavid Pastrňák) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Conn Smythe Trophy winner 2018 | Succeeded by |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by | Washington Capitals team captain 2010–present | Incumbent |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
