| Alexander Ovechkin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals in May 2018 | |||
| Born |
17 September 1985 Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg; 16 st 11 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: Александр Михайлович Овечкин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr ɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn]; born 17 September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the Great 8" in reference to his jersey number, Ovechkin is widely regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.[1][2][3] Second only to Wayne Gretzky in all-time goal scoring, Ovechkin holds many NHL career records, including the most power play goals, most goals in away games, most overtime goals, and most goals with one team in NHL history. Ovechkin is one of just three players in NHL history to score 800 career goals, along with Gretzky and Gordie Howe.
Ovechkin began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague in 2001, playing there for four seasons and returning briefly during the 2012–13 NHL lockout. A highly touted prospect, Ovechkin was selected by the Capitals first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2005–06 season, Ovechkin's first with the Capitals, he scored 52 goals and 54 assists to lead all rookies in points, capturing the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year and finishing third overall in league scoring.
Ovechkin has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's leading goal scorer, an NHL-record nine times, first doing so in 2007–08, when his 65 goals and 112 points also earned him the Art Ross Trophy for most points scored. He holds the NHL record for most 40-goal seasons with thirteen and co-holds, with Mike Bossy and Gretzky, the record for most 50-goal campaigns with nine. He has won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player three times (in 2008, 2009, and 2013), and the Lester B. Pearson Award/Ted Lindsay Award for best player as voted on by the National Hockey League Players' Association three times (2008, 2009, 2010). In 2018, Ovechkin won the Stanley Cup for the first time, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the 2018 playoffs. He has also been named to the NHL first All-Star team eight times, and the second All-Star team four times. In 2017, Ovechkin was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.[4]
Internationally, Ovechkin has represented Russia in multiple tournaments. His first IIHF tournament was the 2002 World U18 Championship. The following year he made his debut at the World 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 the 2004 World Championship, and he also played in the World Cup that year. Ovechkin has also played for Russia at the Winter Olympics in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Overall, Ovechkin has represented Russia at thirteen World Championships and three Olympics in his career, winning the World Championship three times.
- ^ "Analytics say Ovechkin one of top goal-scorers ever". NHL.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ "Why Alex Ovechkin could be the best goal scorer in NHL history – Sportsnet.ca". Sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ Kelly, Cathal (21 February 2020). "It's time we treat Alex Ovechkin as an NHL all-time great". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ "100 Greatest NHL Players". NHL.com. 27 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2017.