Alexander Ovechkin (41, Washington Capitals), the National Hockey League’s (NHL) all-time leading goal scorer with 929 goals, has announced his retirement from professional hockey at the end of this season.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that Ovechkin, entering his 22nd NHL season, has decided to hang up his skates after one final year on the ice.
In a heartfelt statement, Ovechkin expressed that while his love for this sport runs deep, he knows in his heart that the time has come for him to step away from the game.
He continued that he’s excited for this upcoming season with his teammates and he’s committed to making it truly special. He plans to savor every moment with his family, children, and the incredible fans who have been part of this amazing journey.
Ovechkin’s 929 regular-season NHL goals have propelled him past Wayne Gretzky’s previous record of 894, cementing his place atop the all-time goal-scoring list.
Since being drafted first overall by Washington in 2004, Ovechkin has remained loyal to the Capitals for over two decades, embodying the rare one-club man in modern sports.
His illustrious career includes nine scoring titles and three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. In 2018, he led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history, a crowning achievement for both player and team.
Demonstrating his enduring skill and durability, Ovechkin played all 82 games last season, netting 32 goals. This impressive performance led to a one-year contract extension with Washington.
Under this final contract, Ovechkin will earn a base salary of 4.25 million USD, with an additional 4.75 million USD bonus if he suits up for at least 10 games.
