▲ Alex Ovechkin, who announced his retirement after the end of the season
Alex Ovechkin (41, Washington Capitals), the all-time leading goal scorer in the National Hockey League (NHL), is bringing his active playing career to an end.
According to the Associated Press today, Ovechkin announced that he will retire at the end of this season, which marks his 22nd season.
Ovechkin achieved the monumental feat of breaking the NHL regular-season all-time leading goal record of 894 goals held by "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky in April 2025, and has recorded a total of 929 goals heading into the opening of this season.
Ovechkin, who celebrated his 41st birthday last month, said in a statement, "I truly love this sport, but in my heart, I know this is the right time to retire." He explained the background of his retirement by saying, "I want to play hockey, soccer, and basketball with my growing children, and I want to stay healthy enough to do so."
Selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and making his debut in 2005, Ovechkin is a franchise star who has worn only the Washington uniform for over 20 years.
Having won the regular-season scoring title nine times and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award three times, he led the Washington franchise to its first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2018, capturing the playoff MVP honors.
Displaying his enduring prowess by playing in all 82 regular-season games and scoring 32 goals last season as well, he plans to return to his hometown in Russia after retirement.
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), his debut contemporary from 2005 and longtime rival, paid tribute by saying, "I have a lot of respect for him. Competing together for a long time built a friendship."
Immediately following Ovechkin's retirement announcement, ticket prices for Washington's final regular-season home game on April 4 of next year surged to a minimum of 825 dollars.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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