Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin is one of the greatest living hockey legends. A current player for the Washington Capitals in the NHL, the athlete is often referred to as ‘Ovi’ or ‘The Great Eight’.
Alongside players like Connor McDavid and Victor Hedman, Ovechkin is the NHL’s premier hockey talent today. Since going pro in 2001 in the Russian Superleague for hockey, Ovechkin has become known for his dynamic offensive drives and shooting skills. He currently plays for the Washington Nationals in the NHL. You will get here Alex Ovechkin biography and career details.
An Illustrious Career of Alex Ovechkin
In 2001, Ovechkin began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow in Russia, where he was born. At the time, Ovechkin was ineligible to join the NHL despite interest from various teams in the US.
Until 2004, he played with Dynamo Moscow where he made his name as an offensive powerhouse, scoring 36 goals and landing 32 assists in 152 games. In 2004, Ovechkin entered the NHL Draft where he was drafted first overall by the Washington Nationals.
Unfortunately, a dispute between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association led to a league-wide lockout. During this time, Ovechkin returned to the Russian Superleague before returning to start his NHL career in 2005.
Ovechkin’s contract tied him to the Capitals for three seasons with a $984,000 contract that saw nearly $4 million in annual bonuses for the rookie player. The Russian superstar didn’t disappoint. To this day, his stats are some of the highest in the league and his annual salary sits around $10 million.
He’s earned the NHL’s Rocket Trophy as the league’s leading goal-scorer a record nine times. He’s also earned the Art Ross Trophy for most points scored, the Hart Memorial Trophy for MVP three times, and the Lester B. Pearson Award for the league’s best player from the NHLPA another three times.
Considered one of the greatest scorers in the history of the North American hockey league, Ovechkin’s legacy will endure in the decades to come. His infamous one-timer shot has made him a favorite for punters who bet online on hockey, while his explosive offensive style gives fans the flare and talent they crave to see in the rink.
Aside from one stint with Dynamo Moscow during the 2012-13 season, Ovechkin has exclusively played for the Washington Capitals in terms of national leagues. He has also made twenty-four appearances for the Russian national men’s team where he’s taken home four gold medals, four silver medals, and five bronze medals.
Short Alex Ovechkin Biography
Alexander Ovechkin was born on 17 September 1985 in Moscow, Russia. For Ovechkin, athletic prowess runs in the family. His mother, Tatyana Ovechkina, was a basketball star who played for the Russian national team.
In both 1976 and 1980, she brought home gold medals and earned herself the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. Tatyana also won the World Championship and European Championships as part of the Russian women’s national basketball team.
Ovechkin’s father, Mikhail Ovechkin, played soccer on a professional level among the Dynamo sports community in Moscow. For this reason, Alex Ovechkin had ample support to develop his interest in sports, and hockey in particular.
After successfully moving from the Superleague to the NHL and establishing himself as one of the most elite hockey talents to ever grace the continent, Ovechkin announced his engagement to Nastya Shubskaya, the daughter of a Russian movie star. The pair were married in 2015.
