Russian NHL legend Ovechkin announces retirement
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, DC, April 12, 2026. © Jamie Sabau/Getty Images Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin will retire after the current NHL season, he told his teammates in a video shared on social media.
In the short clip, which was filmed in the team’s locker room on Monday, the 41-year-old Russian said he was sad to tell his teammates he would soon be leaving, while urging them to “have fun and enjoy the moment” and “do some special things this year.”
Ovechkin, who was born in Moscow, has faced controversy over his unapologetic support for his home country. He was placed on Ukraine’s semi-official ‘kill list’ of purported enemies of the state after setting the NHL’s all-time goal record last year and has recently faced sanctions.
Alex Ovechkin announced to his teammates this morning that this season will be his final in the NHL https://t.co/wnnnkrIl5U
Ovechkin signed a one-year contract with the Capitals this summer after surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time regular-season goal record in April 2025. He confirmed his retirement plans two days before Washington’s opening game on Wednesday night.
The Capitals, who drafted Ovechkin in 2004, missed the playoffs in 2025-26, but their captain played all 82 games and scored 32 goals.
Last month, Ovechkin drew criticism from pro-Ukraine circles after appearing in a Russian political ad promoting the ruling United Russia party ahead of an election. Ukraine has imposed an array of sanctions on him, and Latvia has declared him persona non grata, but the controversy has not hurt his popularity in the US.
Alex Ovechkin on appearing in the Putin commercial. https://t.co/CwtdUsPfDU
Responding to the backlash, Ovechkin said: “I’m Russian, so when I’m done playing hockey, probably I’m gonna stay there,” living in Russia with his family. He stressed that he considers Russia his home and the US his second home, and that he stands “for peace and love.”
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