July 2 (Reuters) – Alexander Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, will return for his 22nd season after signing a one-year, $4.25-million contract with the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
The Russian winger, who turns 41 in September, has scored 929 regular-season goals in 1,573 games and captained the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018.
“I’m back!” Ovechkin said in a statement. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision.
“I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win.”
Ovechkin was selected first overall by the Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft and went on to become one of the sport’s most prolific scorers. Nicknamed “the Great 8”, he is known for firing pucks into the back of the net from the left faceoff circle — so much so that the spot has been dubbed “Ovi’s Office”.
In April 2025, Ovechkin surpassed Canadian great Wayne Gretzky on the league’s all-time goals list when he whistled a wrist shot into the net against the New York Islanders for his 895th.
He celebrated the record goal with a belly flop on to the ice, sliding over the blueline as all his teammates swarmed him and Gretzky applauded from the stands at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Ovechkin, who sports signature yellow skate laces, proved he could still produce at a high level last season, leading the Capitals with 32 goals and 64 points. He also became the first player in NHL history to score 900 regular-season goals last season.
“Our entire organization is thrilled that Alex has decided to continue playing,” said Capitals general manager and senior vice president Chris Patrick. “Alex has proven year after year that he can produce offensively and that he is still the driving force of our team.”
In 2018, Ovechkin guided the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the best-of-seven final. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP that year, recording 15 goals and 12 assists in the postseason.
Ovechkin has also recorded nine 50-goal seasons over his career, tied with Gretzky and Mike Bossy for most in the NHL.
The upcoming season will mark his 18th as Washington’s captain, making him the third-longest tenured captain in NHL history.
“Having the greatest goal scorer in NHL history and the most important player in Capitals history return for another season means so much to our organization, our fans, and our city,” said Capitals owner Ted Leonsis.
(Reporting by Nicole Fernandes in Toronto; editing by Clare Fallon)
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