Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin announced today, 21 years to the day after making his NHL debut, that the 2026-27 season will be his final NHL season.
“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL,” said Ovechkin. “I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision. 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. I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special. I am going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans and everyone who has been part of my hockey career. See you Wednesday, babes!”
Ovechkin, who turned 41 on Sept. 17, is currently in his 22nd NHL season. Ovechkin captained the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018 and is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. Ovechkin has recorded 1,688 points (929g, 759a) in 1,575 career games with Washington. In NHL history, Ovechkin ranks first in goals (929), power-play goals (331), game-winning goals (141), overtime goals (27), road goals (476), game-opening goals (154), game-tying goals (155), go-ahead goals (297), 40-goal seasons (14), 30-goal seasons (20) and tied for first in 50-goal seasons (9).
This season, Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby joined Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita and Steve Yzerman as the only players in NHL history to play 22 seasons with one franchise. When Ovechkin made his season debut on Oct. 2 in Carolina, he surpassed Walter Johnson (21 seasons with the Washington Senators: 1907-1927) as the longest-tenured athlete in the history of Washington, D.C. professional sports.
OVECHKIN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- 11 goals shy of passing Wayne Gretzky (1,016) for the most combined goals (regular season + playoffs) in NHL history
- 4 assists shy of passing Nicklas Backstrom (762) for the most assists in franchise history
- 12 points shy of 1,700 career points
- 25 games shy of 1,600 career games
- 36 points shy of passing Mario Lemieux for the 9th-most points in NHL history
- 33 games shy of passing Patrick Marleau (1,607) for the 2nd-most games played with one franchise in NHL history
- 1 20-goal season shy of tying Gordie Howe (22) for the most in NHL history
Over the course of two decades with the organization, Ovechkin has made a tremendous impact both on the ice and throughout the Washington, D.C., community. In recognition of his longstanding commitment to the region and for his final NHL season, Ovechkin and the Capitals have launched a season-long campaign supporting causes that are meaningful to Ovechkin and have been central to his philanthropic efforts throughout his career.
Beginning in November and continuing through the remainder of the NHL regular season, the Capitals will announce a new initiative or event on the eighth of each month, with Ovechkin personally participating in each effort. The campaign will celebrate not only what Ovechkin has accomplished during his two decades in Washington, but also the people, organizations and causes that have been an important part of his journey. Through these ongoing efforts, Ovechkin and the Capitals will continue working together to create meaningful opportunities, support those in need and make a lasting impact throughout the Washington, D.C., region.
Fighting Pediatric Cancer
Ovechkin will continue his support of THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer, a partnership among the Capitals, Hockey Fights Cancer and The V Foundation for Cancer Research that raises awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. Ovechkin has committed to donating to the campaign for every goal he scores beginning with his 885th career goal and continuing for the remainder of his NHL career, with Monumental Sports & Entertainment matching his contributions. To date, the campaign has raised more than $256,000 and will help establish the Alex Ovechkin GR8 CHASE Pediatric Cancer Research Grant through The V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer.
Supporting the American Special Hockey Association
Ovechkin has also been a longtime champion of adaptive and special hockey. He has supported the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) for more than a decade and has served as an ambassador since the organization's first skate event in 2014. In December 2025, he hosted his eighth skating or street hockey event with ASHA. Ovechkin has also made a significant contribution to help cover ice costs for 136 special hockey teams across the country, supporting more than 5,260 athletes and nearly 400 coaches. His decade-long relationship with ASHA has coincided with tremendous growth for the organization. Since Ovechkin's involvement began, ASHA has expanded from 45 programs in 30 cities to 140 programs nationwide, now serving more than 8,750 athletes and 11,500 total members, including coaches and volunteers. The Washington, D.C., region is home to five ASHA teams, including the Baltimore Saints, Montgomery Cheetahs, NOVA Cool Cats, Washington Ice Dogs and Frederick Gargoyles, with additional teams in Richmond, Va., York, Pa., and Hershey, Pa. Through his Ovi’s 8’s initiative, Ovechkin currently purchases eight Capitals season tickets each season and donates them to ASHA, which distributes the tickets to participants and families from these programs.
National and Regional Charity Support
Ovechkin's community involvement has extended well beyond the sport itself. Throughout his NHL career, he has regularly supported organizations that work to make dreams come true for children facing serious illnesses, meeting with young patients and helping grant wishes during some of the most challenging periods of their lives. He has also consistently supported causes and initiatives led by the Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment, including the annual Hockey Fights Cancer skate, the Capitals' annual Canine Calendar, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation's annual Topgolf charity event and numerous other community initiatives.
Growing the Game
Throughout his Capitals career, Ovechkin has also played a significant role in growing youth hockey participation throughout the Washington, D.C., region. The impact of his presence in the community has become known as “The Ovechkin Effect,” reflecting the growth of hockey participation since he was selected by Washington with the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. From the 2005-06 season through 2025-26, the number of USA Hockey-registered youth and adult players in Washington, D.C., has increased by more than 220 percent. Across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., participation has grown by 78 percent during that same period, while the number of registered girls and women players across the region has increased by 225 percent. Ovechkin's commitment to introducing young people to the sport dates back to the early years of his Capitals career. In 2006, he established Ovi's 8’s, a program created to provide Capitals game experiences to underserved children throughout the region. Since its inception, Ovi's 8’s has provided more than 6,000 tickets to children and families in the community.
