Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin, born on September 17, 1985, is a Russian hockey player who plays for the Washington Capitals in the NHL. He made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, and has since won one Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2018. He holds the record for mot goals in NHL regular season history and i considered by many as the greatest goal scorer ever. His nickname is The Great Eight, which stems from his jersey number, 8.

Alexander Ovechkin: Early Life

Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin was born in Moscow, Russia, to parents Mikhail and Tatyana. Both Mikhail and Tatyana are former pro athletes, Mikhail played soccer and Tatyana is a two time Olympic Gold medal winner (1976, 1980) in basketball.

As a child, Alexander was very active and had San Jose Sharks as his favorite hockey team. He started using a hockey stick at two years old and loved to watch NHL hockey. Alexander begun at Dynamo Moscow's sports school where he scored 56 goals in a season at eleven years old, which meant he broke the former record of 53 goals, held by Pavel Bure.

Alexander Ovechkin: NHL Career

Alexander Ovechkin was selected by the Washington Capitals first overall in 2004 but due to the 2004-2005 NHL lockout he would make his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, against the Columbus Blue Jackets where he scored two goals in a 3-2 victory. He ended his first season with 52 goals and 54 assists, winning the Calder Trophy ahead of future superstar Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the 2007-2008 season, Ovechkin scored 65 goals and 47 assists for 112 points, for which he won the Maurice Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy. On January 5, 2010, Ovechkin was named captain of the Capitals.

In the 2017-2018 season, Ovechkin finally led his Capitals to win the Stanley Cup after defeating Vegas Golden Knights in five games, a feat that won him the Conn Smythe Trophy.

On December 23 2022, Ovechkin scored his 802nd career goal, surpassing Gordie Howe into second place in all time goals behind Wayne Gretzky. On April 6 2025, Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, passing Wayne Gretzky as the all time regular season goal scorer. He did so in his 1487th game, the same amount of games that Gretzky played.

Over his 20-year NHL career, Alexander Ovechkin has won multiple individual awards, including:

9 Maurice Richard Trophies
3 Hart Trophies
3 Ted Lindsay Awards
Conn Smythe Trophy
Art Ross Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy

Alexander Ovechkin with Team Russia

Alexander Ovechkin has also had a highly successful international career representing Team Russia. He won gold at the 2003 World Junior Championship and silver at the 2005 World Junior Championship.

He also won gold at the IIHF World Championship three times with Russia: 2008, 2012 and 2014.