Known for his signature yellow laces on his ice skates, Alexander Ovechkin has been a household name in the NHL for the past 22 years.
With over 1,500 games played under his belt and the most goals scored (929) by an NHLer, Ovechkin has made waves in his time as a Washington Capital. Now, as the sun has officially risen for the 2026-27 season, Ovechkin announced officially that this will be his last season.
Ovechkin, a native of Moscow, Russia, was drafted No. 1 overall to the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry draft. In his rookie year in the 2005-06 season, he won the Calder Trophy and ranked third in the league in scoring.
Due to his immense success, even from the start of his career, fans have deemed him “The Great 8,” after his jersey number and prosperity in professional hockey. Since being drafted by the Capitals in 2004, Ovechkin is the first athlete to spend 22 years of their career in Washington.
By starting his 22nd NHL season with the same team, Ovechkin joins greats like Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, Gordie Howe and more. While already having the most goals scored in NHL history, he also holds the records for most game-winning, powerplay and overtime goals.
Ovechkin is also just 11 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretsky’s record of 1,016 for most combined goals in a career, including regular season and playoffs.
According to an article from NHL.com, Ovechkin made this decision to retire over the summer with his family.
“I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said in the article. “It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them.”
While Ovechkin has changed the game on the ice, he’s also made an impact off the ice, whether that be with his teammates or the charity work he participates in for his community.
“The feelings that you get inside of hearing the finality of him saying this is going to be my last year, there’s like a lot of mixed emotions of you’re almost like there’s sadness to it,” Capital’s Head Coach Spencer Carbery said on his relationship with Ovechkin in an article from the NHL. “And then I’ll turn into being super grateful of our relationship and me having the opportunity to come to the Caps organization and be the head coach and him being the captain and him welcoming me in with open arms and our relationship growing.”
In addition to his relationship with his team, he also has had long-time relationships working with charities like the American Special Hockey Association as well as his own philanthropic campaign THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer, which helps fund pediatric cancer research.
Even after Ovechkin ties his yellow laces for the very last time, there is no doubt among fans that he will still be remembered as “Alexander the Gr8.”
“For young guys who (are in) first year or experienced guys, remember that moment and enjoy it because, how I said, time flies,” Ovechkin said to his teammates, according to the article from NHL.com. “It seems like yesterday I was here my first year and right now this is my 22nd year and it goes like this.”