Early Life and Education of Alexander Ovechkin: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Alexander Ovechkin. A timeline of key moments.
Alexander Ovechkin, nicknamed "The Great 8" and "Ovi", is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals. He is second in all-time NHL goal scoring, behind Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin holds numerous NHL records, including most power play goals, away game goals, overtime goals, goalies scored upon, and goals with one team. He is one of three players to reach 800 career goals, along with Gretzky and Gordie Howe, solidifying his place as a hockey legend.
1975: Mother's World Championship
In 1975, Tatyana Ovechkina, Alexander's mother, became a world champion in basketball.
1976: Mother's Olympic Gold Medal
In 1976, Tatyana Ovechkina, Alexander's mother, won an Olympic gold medal in basketball.
1980: Mother's Olympic Gold Medal
In 1980, Tatyana Ovechkina, Alexander's mother, won an Olympic gold medal in basketball.
September 1985: Alexander Ovechkin's birth
Alexander Ovechkin was born on 17 September 1985, which became relevant when the Florida Panthers attempted to draft him early.
September 1985: Ovechkin Born
On 17 September 1985, Alexander Ovechkin was born in Moscow to Soviet athletes.
1998: Capitals Previous Stanley Cup Finals Appearance
In 1998, the Washington Capitals made their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, prior to Alexander Ovechkin joining the team.
October 2006: "Russian machine never breaks"
In October 2006, Ovechkin was struck on the foot by a teammate's wrist shot during practice, but famously told reporters, "I'm okay; Russian machine never breaks."
2006: Created Ovi's Crazy 8's program
In 2006, Ovechkin created Ovi's Crazy 8's, donating Capitals season tickets to Most Valuable Kids, providing access to games for those who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity.
June 2008: Launched Designer Streetwear
On June 11, 2008, Ovechkin launched his own line of designer streetwear with CCM.
October 2008: Visit to Ailing Grandfather
In October 2008, Ovechkin returned home to Moscow to visit his ailing grandfather, missing only the second game of his career up to that point.
2008: Appeared in NHL: Just Like Me and Boys to the Bigs
In 2008, Ovechkin appeared in the films NHL: Just Like Me and Boys to the Bigs as himself.
July 2009: Named Winter Olympics Ambassador
On July 6, 2009, Ovechkin was named an ambassador for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
2010: Appeared in "Zaytsev, zhgi! Istoriya shoumena"
In 2010, Ovechkin appeared in the film "Zaytsev, zhgi! Istoriya shoumena" as an actor.
January 2011: Featured in ESPN's This is SportsCenter commercial
In January 2011, Ovechkin was featured in an ESPN's This is SportsCenter commercial.
August 2011: Move to Bauer Hockey
In August 2011, Ovechkin switched to Bauer Hockey equipment following a decline in his point production.
2014: Became an ambassador for the American Special Hockey Association
Since 2014, Ovechkin has been an ambassador for the American Special Hockey Association, supporting individuals with disabilities and promoting ice hockey.
2016: Received gift from Putin at wedding
In 2016, Ovechkin received a gift from Putin at his wedding and has a personal phone number for the Russian president.
January 2017: Declared neutrality between Russians and Americans
In January 2017, Ovechkin stated, "I have a good relationship with Russians and with Americans. So, I'm neutral."
November 2017: Announced PutinTeam on Instagram
In November 2017, Ovechkin announced PutinTeam on his Instagram account and launched the group's official website, encouraging sign-ups and participation.
November 2017: Started PutinTeam movement
In November 2017, Ovechkin started a movement called PutinTeam in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 2018 Russian presidential election, emphasizing it as support for his country rather than politics.
2017: Switched Back to CCM
In the 2017-18 season, Ovechkin switched back to CCM equipment.
August 2018: Birth of first son
In August 2018, Ovechkin and his wife had a son, named after Ovechkin's late brother.
October 2018: Pass to T.J. Oshie
On October 22, 2018, Ovechkin passed to T.J. Oshie rather than score the hat trick for himself.
November 2018: Applauding Carey Price
On November 19, 2018, Ovechkin applauded Carey Price's sprawling stop, showing respect for the goaltender's effort.
2018: Supported Vladimir Putin in the Russian presidential election
In 2018, Ovechkin started a movement called PutinTeam in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 2018 Russian presidential election.
2018: Kremlin supported PutinTeam
In 2018, a Kremlin-supported public-relations firm, IMA-Consulting reportedly held a $600,000 contract to promote the 2018 Russian presidential elections, while Ovechkin has claimed that the idea for PutinTeam was all his and that the group is non-political in its nature.
January 2019: All-Star Captaincy and Skipped Game
In January 2019, Alexander Ovechkin was named a captain for the upcoming NHL All-Star Game but chose to skip it to rest, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension.
May 2020: Birth of second son
In May 2020, Ovechkin and his wife had a second son.
May 2021: Reportedly an investor in the Washington Spirit
In May 2021, Ovechkin was reportedly an investor in the Washington Spirit, a professional team in the National Women's Soccer League.
June 2021: Studying for Doctor of Sciences
By June 2021, Ovechkin was studying for and close to obtaining a Doctor of Sciences in Pedagogical Sciences.
2021: Price's Injury
In 2021, Canadiens goaltender Carey Price sustained a knee injury and had multiple setbacks in his recovery.
February 2022: Washington Spirit sold
Sportico reported in February 2022 that he might not have formally completed the process to acquire the stake, and that even if he had, it was unclear whether he retained his stake after the club was sold
April 2022: Fist Bump to Carey Price
On April 16, 2022, Ovechkin showed respect and admiration for Canadiens goaltender Carey Price by giving him a fist bump from across their respective benches during a stoppage of play.
May 2022: Reiterated support for Putin
In May 2022, Ovechkin reiterated his support for Putin and retained the Russian president on his Instagram profile photo.
June 2022: Signed a one-game contract with FC Dynamo Moscow
In June 2022, Ovechkin signed a one-game contract with FC Dynamo Moscow, in a friendly against FC Amkal Moscow, scored a goal, and wore number 3 in honor of his father.
2024: Over 5,700 Individuals Saw Free Game Through Ovi's Crazy 8's
As of 2024, more than 5,700 individuals have had a chance to see a game free of charge through Ovechkin's Ovi's Crazy 8's program
March 2025: Partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer
In March 2025, Ovechkin announced that he would be partnering up with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer for every goal he socres as he closed in on breaking the all time goal-scoring record.
