{
  "id": 12202118,
  "title": "NHL regular-season goals champion Alexander Ovechkin says this season will be his last",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/nhl-regular-season-goals-champion-alexander-ovechkin-says-this-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T17:44:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/05/nhl-regular-season-goals-champion-alexander-ovechkin-says-this-season-will-be-his-last"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NHL star Alexander Ovechkin plans to end his career at the conclusion of the ongoing season, according to the Washington Capitals forward. During a conversation with his fellow players, Ovechkin shared his decision, expressing his sadness but acknowledging that \"times fly.\" Reflecting on his 22-year tenure in the league, the Russian hockey player remarked, \"It seems like yesterday I was here, my first year, and right now this is my 22nd year. And, you know, it goes like this [snaps].\" Ovechkin, 41, has dedicated his entire NHL career to the Capitals and has served as their captain since 2010. In 2018, the team won the Stanley Cup for the first and only time in their history, with Ovechkin earning the playoffs' Most Valuable Player award. The Washington native holds the record for regular-season goals in NHL history, with 929, and ranks 10th in career points with 1,688 in 1,575 games.",
  "summary": "Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin will retire from the NHL at the end of the current season. He told his teammates about his decision.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Alex Ovechkin tells his Washington Capitals teammates this is his final NHL season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/alex-ovechkin-tells-his-washington-capitals-teammates-this-is-his",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:09:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Alex Ovechkin to retire from NHL after this season, star Russian forward tells Capitals teammates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/alex-ovechkin-to-retire-from-nhl-after-this-season-star-russian",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:24:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Alex Ovechkin finally makes clear retirement decision amid age-41 season with Capitals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/alex-ovechkin-finally-makes-clear-retirement-decision-amid-age-41",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:38:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "Alex Ovechkin announces retirement to Capitals teammates to start 22nd season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/alex-ovechkin-announces-retirement-to-capitals-teammates-to-start",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:43:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "NHL legend Ovechkin will retire at end of season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/nhl-legend-ovechkin-will-retire-at-end-of-season",
        "published": "2026-10-05T17:05:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}