Alexander Ovechkin facts for kids

"Ovechkin" redirects here. For other uses, see Ovechkin (surname).

In this article, the patronymic is Mikhailovich and the family name is Ovechkin.

Quick facts for kids Alexander Ovechkin
Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals in February 2020
Born	(1985-09-17) 17 September 1985 (age 40) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
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 (born September 17, 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is a left winger and captain for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). People often call him "the Great 8" (because of his jersey number) or "Ovi". He is known as one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history.

Ovechkin started his professional career with Dynamo Moscow in Russia in 2001. The Capitals chose him as the very first player in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In his first NHL season (2005–06), he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie.

Ovechkin has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (for most goals) a record nine times. He holds many NHL records, including the most career goals in regular season history, with 900 goals. He is the only player in NHL history to reach 900 regular season goals.

He has also won the Hart Memorial Trophy (for most valuable player) three times. In 2018, he led the Capitals to win their first-ever Stanley Cup, and he was named the most valuable player of the playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. He is considered one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.

Ovechkin has proudly represented Russia in many international tournaments, winning the World Championship three times.

Early Life and Hockey Dreams

Alexander Ovechkin was born in Moscow, Russia, on September 17, 1985. His parents were both famous athletes. His mother, Tatyana Ovechkina, won two Olympic gold medals in basketball. His father, Mikhail, was a professional soccer player.

From a very young age, Alexander loved hockey. He picked up a hockey stick at two years old. Whenever a hockey game was on TV, he would stop everything to watch. His older brother, Sergei, helped him get to hockey practices. When Ovechkin was 10, Sergei passed away after a car accident. Ovechkin often honors Sergei when he scores goals, pointing to the sky.

Ovechkin quickly became known for his amazing scoring skills. At age 11, he scored 56 goals, breaking a record held by another famous player, Pavel Bure. He dreamed of playing in the NHL, collecting cards of his favorite players like Mario Lemieux.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Russia (2001–2005)

Ovechkin began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Super League when he was just 16. He played there for four seasons. In 2004, the Washington Capitals chose him as the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Due to a lockout in the NHL, he played one more season with Dynamo, helping them win the Russian league title.

Becoming a Washington Capital (2005–Present)

Ovechkin at a Washington Capitals training camp in September 2005.

Ovechkin joined the Washington Capitals for the 2005–06 NHL season. In his very first game, he scored two goals. A few months later, he scored his first hat trick. He also scored a famous goal while sliding on his back, which many called "The Goal." He led all rookies in goals and points, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie.

Leading the League and Becoming Captain (2007–2013)

In 2008, Ovechkin signed a long-term contract with the Capitals. He had an incredible 2007–08 NHL season, scoring 65 goals and 112 points. He won the Art Ross Trophy (most points) and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (most goals). He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player. He won these awards again in 2009.

Ovechkin during the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On January 5, 2010, Ovechkin became the captain of the Washington Capitals. He was the first European player to hold this role for the team. He continued to be a top scorer, reaching 500 career points in just five seasons.

Ovechkin in January 2010, shortly after becoming captain of the Capitals.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Ovechkin played for Dynamo Moscow again and helped them win the Gagarin Cup. When he returned to the NHL, he led the league in goals, earning his third Rocket Richard Trophy and third Hart Memorial Trophy.

Stanley Cup Champions (2013–2019)

Ovechkin meeting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the Capitals locker room, February 2014.

Ovechkin continued to break records. In 2013, he scored his 400th career goal. In 2014, he became the Capitals' all-time leading scorer. He reached 500 career goals in 2016, becoming the first Russian player to do so. In 2017, he scored his 1,000th career point.

Ovechkin at a Capitals practice in October 2015.

The biggest moment came in 2018. Ovechkin led the Capitals to win their first-ever Stanley Cup! He was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. This was a dream come true for him and the team.

Ovechkin with the Stanley Cup in June 2018.

He continued his record-breaking ways, scoring his 600th career goal in 2018. In 2019, he became the Russian-born player with the most points in NHL history. He also won his eighth Rocket Richard Trophy.

Chasing the All-Time Goal Record (2019–Present)

Ovechkin in March 2022.

Ovechkin kept scoring at an incredible pace. In 2020, he scored his 700th career goal, becoming only the eighth player in NHL history to reach that milestone. He shared the Rocket Richard Trophy that season.

On November 18, 2024, Ovechkin sustained a broken fibula (a bone in the lower leg) after a collision. This injury kept him out of play for four to six weeks. Before the injury, he had a league-leading 15 goals and 10 assists in the first 18 games of the 2024–25 season. He returned to the Capitals lineup on December 28, 2024, scoring an empty-net goal.

On January 11, 2025, Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal, making him the second player in NHL history to record 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons. On January 16, 2025, he surpassed Jaromír Jágr for most different goalies scored on in NHL history, with 179. On February 23, 2025, Ovechkin scored his 32nd career hat trick, becoming the first player in NHL history to score 200 or more goals in three different decades.

On April 4, 2025, Ovechkin scored his 893rd and 894th goals, tying Wayne Gretzky for the all-time NHL goals record. Two days later, on April 6, 2025, Ovechkin scored his 895th goal against the New York Islanders, officially becoming the all-time NHL leading goal scorer! His record-breaking goal came in his 1,487th career game, the same number of games Gretzky played in his career.

On November 5, 2025, Ovechkin scored his 900th career goal against the St. Louis Blues, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach this incredible milestone.

Player Profile: "The Great 8"

Ovechkin waits for the pass for a one-timer from the inside of the faceoff circle during a game in March 2016.

Alexander Ovechkin is known as one of the greatest goal scorers ever. He has a powerful shot, especially his "one-timer" from the left faceoff circle, which fans call his "office." Even when defenders know it's coming, it's incredibly hard to stop.

He is also a strong power forward, using his size and strength to play tough. He once famously said, "Russian machine never breaks," showing his toughness and ability to stay healthy.

Ovechkin is also a good teammate and leader. He has shown great sportsmanship, like when he applauded opposing goalie Carey Price for making an amazing save against him. He also once passed up a chance for a hat trick to set up a teammate for an easy goal.

International Play

Medal record
Ovechkin at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Men's ice hockey
Representing Russia
World Championships
Gold	2008 Canada
Gold	2012 Finland/Sweden
Gold	2014 Belarus
Silver	2010 Germany
Silver	2015 Czech Republic
Bronze	2005 Austria
Bronze	2007 Russia
Bronze	2016 Russia
Bronze	2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Gold	2003 Canada
Silver	2005 United States
World U18 Championships
Silver	2002 Slovakia
Bronze	2003 Russia

Ovechkin has proudly represented Russia in many international hockey tournaments. At 17, he became the youngest player ever to play for the Russian national team. He helped Russia win a gold medal at the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Ovechkin with the Russian national men's ice hockey team skates the puck forward during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

He has played in three Winter Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014) and many World Championships. He helped Russia win the World Championship gold medal three times (2008, 2012, 2014).

Off the Ice and Personal Life

Charity Work

Ovechkin is very involved in charity work. In 2006, he started "Ovi's Crazy 8's," a program that gives hockey tickets to kids who might not otherwise get to see a game. He is also an ambassador for the American Special Hockey Association, which helps people with disabilities play ice hockey. In 2025, he partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Interests and Family

Ovechkin and United States President Donald Trump at a White House ceremony celebrating the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship, March 2019.

Ovechkin is a big car enthusiast and a huge fan of the Liverpool F.C. soccer team. He has appeared on the covers of popular hockey video games like NHL 07 and NHL 21. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, he famously celebrated by swimming in fountains with his teammates!

Ovechkin is married to Nastya Shubskaya. They have two sons: Sergei, named after Alexander's late brother, and Ilya. He is also studying for a PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, which is about the science of teaching and education.

Connection to Russia

Ovechkin with Vladimir Putin during an award ceremony for the Russian national ice hockey team, May 2014.

Ovechkin has always shown strong support for his home country, Russia, and its leader. He has explained that he is not involved in politics but wants to show pride in his country, where his family and friends live. In 2022, he spoke about wanting peace and an end to conflict, emphasizing his family's safety in Russia.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

(Sources:)

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			1,504	900	731	1,631	831	161	77	70	147	83
KHL totals			31	19	21	40	14	134	234	12	97	198

International

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

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

Ovechkin hoisting the Stanley Cup at Nationals Park in June 2018.

Award	Year	Ref
NHL
Calder Memorial Trophy	2006
NHL All-Rookie Team	2006
NHL first All-Star team	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2019
NHL All-Star Game	2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
EA Sports NHL cover athlete	2007, 2021
NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition Breakaway Challenge Winner	2008, 2009, 2011
Art Ross Trophy	2008
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy	2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020
Hart Memorial Trophy	2008, 2009, 2013
Lester B. Pearson Award/Ted Lindsay Award	2008, 2009, 2010
NHL 2000s All-Decade First Team	2009
NHL second All-Star team	2011, 2013, 2014, 2016
NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition Hardest Shot Winner	2018
Stanley Cup champion	2018
Conn Smythe Trophy	2018
NHL 2K cover athlete	2010
NHL 2010s All-Decade First Team	2020
Mark Messier Leadership Award	2025
RSL/KHL
Russian Superleague champion	2005
Gagarin Cup champion	2013
International
World Junior Championships All-Star team	2005
Winter Olympics All-Star team	2006
World Championships All-Star team	2006, 2008
Kharlamov Trophy	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2025
Wayne Gretzky International Award	2019
Sources:

Order of Honour
Asteroid 257261 Ovechkin was named in his honor by Leonid Elenin.
Ride of Fame honored Alex Ovechkin with a double-decker sightseeing bus in Washington, D.C.
The day after he received his first Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP for the 2007–08 season, he was given the key to the city by Washington Mayor Adrian M. Fenty for being the first Washington MVP winner in a major sport since Joe Theismann of the Washington Redskins in 1983.

Records

NHL Official Records

Most regular season career goals (900)
Most goals scored by a left wing in a career (900)
Most goals by a left winger in a single season (65)
Most points scored by a left wing rookie (106)
Most career points by a left winger (1623)
Most career shots on goal (6757)
Most career game-winning goals (136)
Most overtime goals career (27)
Most career power-play goals (325)
Most goaltenders scored on (183)
Most career 30-goal seasons (18)
Most career 40-goal seasons (14)
Most career 50-goal seasons (9) – Tied with Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy
Most consecutive 30 goal seasons (15) – Tied with Jaromir Jagr

NHL Unofficial Records

First player to win the Art Ross Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award, and Hart Memorial Trophy in a single season.
Only player to be named to the NHL first All-Star team in each of his first five seasons
Most goals for a single team – 897
Most goals scored on the road in a career – 411
Most shots on goal by a left wing in a season – 528 (2008–09)
Most shots on goal by a rookie in a season – 425 (2005–06)
Most regular season points by a Russian-born NHL rookie – 106 (2005–06)
Only player to be named to both the NHL First and second All-Star teams in the same season (2012–13)
Most goals scoring titles (9)
Most goals by a Russian-born player – 897
Most points by a Russian-born player – 1,615
Most career empty net goals – (61)
Most career game-opening goals – 136

Washington Capitals Records

Most seasons with 50 or more goals – 9 (2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2021–22)
Most shots on goal in a season – 528 (2008–09)
Most goals in a season – 65 goals (2007–08)
Most power play goals – 312
Most power play goals in a season – 25 goals (2014–15)
Most career penalty shots attempted – 12 shots (most recent on 19 January 2016)
Most goals in a season by a rookie – 52 goals (2005–06)
Most points in a season by a rookie – 106 points (2005–06)
Point streak by a rookie – 11 games (17 points; 5 goals, 12 assists; 18 March–7 April 2006)
Point streak by a rookie to start the season – 8 games
Goal streak by a rookie – 7 games (10 February–8 March 2006)
Most career hat tricks – 31
Most career goals – 895+
Most career points – 1,550
Most goals in a single postseason – 15 (2017–18)
Fastest overtime goal (6 seconds)

Interesting Facts About Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander’s mother was an Olympic basketball gold medalist.
His father played high-level soccer.
Alexander’s brother, Sergei, who introduced him to hockey, passed away when Alexander was ten. Alexander broke a hockey goalpost in half when taking a shot when he was the same age.
His nickname is Alexander the GR8 (Great).
Alexander says “no problem” a lot.
He has been on two video game covers.
In an ESPN commercial, he pretended to be a Russian spy.

Alexander Ovechkin Quotes

"Time move forward, and time move quick. So you just have to enjoy every second, every moment."
"Of course in a game you have to be serious, but still, you have to have fun."
"I like running all the time. When I run, I feel much better."
"It means a lot to represent your country."

Images for kids

Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals in May 2018
Ovechkin in September 2005 at the Washington Capitals training camp prior to the 2005–06 season
Ovechkin during the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs. He recorded his first playoff hat trick in the second round that year.
Ovechkin in January 2010. He was named the captain of the Capitals on 5 January 2010
Ovechkin takes a ceremonial puck drop at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic against Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
Ovechkin meeting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the Capitals locker room, 6 February 2014
Ovechkin at a Capitals practice in October 2015. During the 2015–16 season, he became the first Russian player to reach the 500-goal plateau in the NHL.
Ovechkin with the Stanley Cup in June 2018
Ovechkin in March 2022
Ovechkin waits for the pass for a one-timer from the inside of the faceoff circle during a game in March 2016
Ovechkin skating up ice during a game in January 2022
Ovechkin at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ovechkin with the Russian national men's ice hockey team skates the puck forward during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Ovechkin and United States President Donald Trump at a White House ceremony celebrating the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship, March 2019
Ovechkin with Vladimir Putin during an award ceremony for the Russian national ice hockey team at the Grand Kremlin Palace, May 2014
Evgeni Malkin and Ovechkin take a ceremonial face-off with Mario Lemieux dropping the puck for the face-off in October 2011, nearly three years after their feud had ended.
Ovechkin hoisting the Stanley Cup at Nationals Park in June 2018 following the Capitals' victory in the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.