Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin is a seasoned professional ice hockey player and captains the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow in 2001 and was selected as the first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Capitals. His career took off in the 2005-2006 season when he won the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year. Since then, Ovechkin has set numerous records, including the most 40-goal seasons (thirteen), most 50-goal campaigns (nine), and is the only player to have tallied 200 or more goals in three different decades. In 2025, Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's top goal scorer with his 895th career goal and became the first NHL player to score 900 career goals.

Ovechkin's contributions to the sport have been recognized through multiple awards. He has won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player three times and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the playoffs when the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018. Ovechkin's skills have also been acknowledged internationally, having represented Russia in thirteen World Championships and three Olympics, winning the World Championship three times. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.

Off the ice, Ovechkin has extended his influence through various ventures. He was the cover athlete for the video game "NHL 07" by EA Sports and had a line of designer streetwear with CCM. He signed a historic 13-year contract extension with the Capitals in 2008. Ovechkin's philanthropic efforts are evident in his creation of Ovi's Crazy 8's, a program that donates Capitals season tickets to Most Valuable Kids. In March 2025, he partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer.