This season will officially be Alex Ovechkin’s last.
On Monday, the Capitals’ captain said that he will retire at the end of the current NHL season, his 22nd with the organization. The announcement came on the 21-year anniversary of his NHL debut.
Ovechkin addressed his teammates in the locker room before the Capitals went public with the announcement, saying he and his family made the decision over the summer. The organization plans to honor Ovechkin on the eighth of each month this season. The left winger has worn the No. 8 his entire career.
“I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said in a statement. “I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special.”
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The Capitals opened the season on Friday with a 5–2 win over the Hurricanes and lost on Saturday to the Lightning 3–1. The team’s home-opener on Wednesday is against the Penguins, who feature 39-year-old Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin and Crosby have widely been considered two of the greatest players of their generation.
Ovechkin is on the short list of greatest athletes in the history of D.C. He led the Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup title and broke numerous franchise and league records along the way, including Wayne Gretzky’s record for goals.
“For more than two decades, Alex has given our fans everything they could ask for: the goals, the records, the physicality, the passion, and an unmatched desire to win,” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis posted on X after the announcement.
The 41-year-old was selected No. 1 overall by the Capitals in the 2004 NHL draft and has a chance to add more milestones before he retires, including topping Gretzky’s record for combined goals (regular season and playoffs) and most assists in franchise history, among others.
A native of Russia, Ovechkin has also won three gold medals in the world championships and played in three Olympics while representing his country. Ovechkin drew criticism in September for appearing in a United Russia video advertisement supporting President Vladimir Putin.
He re-signed with the Capitals this summer on a one-year deal worth $4.25 million. He’s made nearly $175 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac.
The Capitals have a chance to send Ovechkin out as a winner. After missing the playoffs last season, the team had a strong offseason, adding forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, and center Boone Jenner to completely revamp the team’s offense around its aging star.
“We have a fucking unbelievable team this year,” Ovechkin told his teammates in his locker room announcement. “And have 82 games left. Let’s make the playoffs. Let’s have fun.”
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