Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will retire from the NHL after the 2026-27 season, he announced Monday.
Ovechkin is the NHL's all-time leader in goals (929). He passed Wayne Gretzky in April 2025.
The 41-year-old informed his Capitals teammates of the news Monday morning. Ovechkin said he and his family decided in the summer that this would be his final NHL season.
Alex Ovechkin announced to his teammates this morning that this season will be his final in the NHL pic.twitter.com/wnnnkrIl5U
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 5, 2026
"I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it's the right decision," Ovechkin said in a statement. "It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses. I wouldn't have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them.
"I'm excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special. I'm going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans, and everyone who has been part of my hockey career."
Ovechkin signed a one-year contract worth up to $9 million in July to remain with Washington.
The Russian forward is in his 22nd NHL season. Ovechkin has 1,688 points in 1,575 games, all with the Capitals. He's also recorded 77 goals and 147 points in 161 playoff contests. Ovechkin won the Stanley Cup in 2018. He's a three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner as NHL MVP and has led the league in goals nine times.
Ovechkin is 36 points away from passing Mario Lemieux for ninth in NHL history. If he scores 20 goals this season, he'll tie Gordie Howe for the most 20-goal campaigns at 22.
Ovechkin plans to live in Russia after he retires from the NHL. He was criticized before the season for appearing in an ad for a Russian party aligned with Vladimir Putin.
"I'm going to stay there. I'm going to live there, my kids are going to live there, family. So I'm for peace and love, and I hope everything's going to be OK," Ovechkin said in September. "My home is Russia. DC is my second home. I have lots of friends. I grew up here as a person and I love DC. This is my second home. So I hope everything's going to be OK, and how I said - peace and love for everybody."
