Ovechkin Tells Capitals Teammates This Will Be His Final NHL Season

Alex Ovechkin has announced that this will be his final season in the NHL, telling his Washington Capitals teammates before practice on Monday.

The 41-year-old holds the league record with 929 career goals and is in his 22nd season, all of them with Washington, who drafted him first overall in 2004.

Delivered in the Locker Room

Ovechkin chose to tell his teammates in person before the club released a video of the address on social media.

"It's sad, but it is what it is," he said. "It's hard, but let's enjoy it and let's do some special things this year."

He spoke about how quickly his career had passed. "Let's make the playoffs, let's have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly. For young guys who are first year or experienced guys, I remember that moment, and enjoy the time. Because times fly. It seems like yesterday I was here my first year."

The announcement came on the 21st anniversary of his NHL debut as a 20-year-old.

In a statement released by the club, Ovechkin said the decision had been made with his family over the summer. "I know in my heart it's the right decision," he said, adding that the timing mattered to him. "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."

Forwards Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome said Ovechkin had hinted at the decision during a team dinner in Annapolis the previous week. Head coach Spencer Carbery said he had suspected it was coming but did not know for certain until Ovechkin telephoned him on Sunday.

A Career Without Parallel

Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goalscorer on 6 April 2025, scoring his 895th regular-season goal against the New York Islanders. He reached that mark in a season disrupted by a broken leg, returning to score 44 goals.

He captained Washington to the franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2018 and was named Conn Smythe Trophy winner after scoring 15 goals and recording 27 points in 24 playoff games. He has won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times.

Last season he played all 82 games, leading the Capitals with 32 goals and 64 points, and recorded a league-record 20th 30-goal season. He signed a one-year contract this summer and turned 41 in September.

Beginning his 22nd season last week made him the longest-tenured athlete in the history of professional sport in Washington.

What Follows

Ovechkin has previously shown little appetite for a farewell tour through every NHL market, but accepts that it may now become part of his final year. He has also confirmed he intends to return to live in Russia after retiring.

The announcement was timed two days before Washington's home opener against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena, a fixture that will now carry considerably more weight.