Alex Ovechkin Announces Final NHL Season After 22 Years with Emotional Message
The Russian forward holds the all-time goals record with 929
On October 5, Alex Ovechkin announced that his final NHL season will be the 2026-2027 year. The Washington Capitals captain, 41, shared the news on Monday in an emotional post. Ovechkin said that his family and he decided this summer that his final season in the NHL would be this one. He wrote, "My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL," adding, "I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision."
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, Ovechkin currently holds the record with 929 goals over his 22-season career. In a post shared by the Capitals, the captain expressed his excitement about the upcoming season with his teammates, promising to make the most of every moment with his family, fans, and the hockey community. "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," Ovechkin continued, signing off with his signature message, "See you Wednesday, babes!"
Ovechkin's tenure in Washington has been marked by numerous achievements, including leading the Capitals to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2018 and being named the most valuable player of the playoffs in that season. He had previously considered retirement at the end of the 2025-2026 season but ultimately decided to sign a one-year, $4.25 million deal to return for the 2026-2027 year.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
