Alexander Ovechkin's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Alexander Ovechkin.

Alexander Ovechkin, a.k.a. "The Great 8" or "Ovi", is a celebrated Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the captain of the Washington Capitals in the NHL. Primarily a left winger, Ovechkin holds the record for the most career goals in NHL regular season history, making him the only player to surpass 900 regular season goals. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1943: Bill Durnan's First Team All-Star Selection

In 1943, Bill Durnan began his first four seasons (1943 to 1944 through 1946–47) where he was voted a First Team All-Star.

1944: Bill Durnan's First Team All-Star Selection

In 1944, Bill Durnan began his first four seasons (1943 to 1944 through 1946–47) where he was voted a First Team All-Star.

1946: Bill Durnan's First Team All-Star Selection

In 1946, Bill Durnan began his first four seasons (1943 to 1944 through 1946–47) where he was voted a First Team All-Star.

1965: Last Left Winger to Lead in Points

Ovechkin was the first time in 41 seasons that a left-winger led the NHL in points since Bobby Hull led the league with 97 points in 1965–66.

1968: Three points in consecutive games

In 1968, Tim Horton achieved the feat of recording three points in consecutive games at the age of 39 or older, as Ovechkin did later in 2024.

1980: Three points in consecutive games

In 1980, Jean Ratelle achieved the feat of recording three points in consecutive games at the age of 39 or older, as Ovechkin did later in 2024.

1995: Last Player to score 60 goals in a season

Before Ovechkin's 60 goal season, Mario Lemieux and Jaromír Jágr were the last NHL players to score 60 goals in a season back in 1995-96.

1999: Last Player to score 40 even strength goals in one season

Before Ovechkin's accomplishment, Pavel Bure was the last NHL player to score at least 40 even-strength goals in one season back in 1999–2000.

2000: Last Player to score 40 even strength goals in one season

Before Ovechkin's accomplishment, Pavel Bure was the last NHL player to score at least 40 even-strength goals in one season back in 1999–2000.

2000: Rocket Richard Trophy Winner

Before Ovechkin, Pavel Bure was the second player after Bure (2000 and 2001) to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

2001: Rocket Richard Trophy Winner

Before Ovechkin, Pavel Bure was the second player after Bure (2000 and 2001) to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

2002: Youngest Player for Russian National Team

In 2002, at age 17, Ovechkin became the youngest skater ever to play for the Russian national team and the youngest player to score for the national team. He also played at the IIHF World U18 Championships.

2003: World Junior Championships Gold Medal

In 2003, Ovechkin and the Russian junior national team won a gold medal in the World Junior Championships.

2004: RSL Title with Dynamo

Due to the NHL lockout in 2004, Ovechkin remained with Dynamo Moscow and helped them win the RSL title in the playoffs.

January 2005: 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In January 2005, Alexander Ovechkin participated in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, his third and final appearance. He tied for the tournament lead with seven goals. His team won the silver medal after losing to Canada in the gold medal game on January 4. Ovechkin was named Best Forward and selected to the All-Star team.

2005: Start of NHL Career

Alexander Ovechkin began his NHL career in 2005, and would go on to score on 179 different goalies.

2005: Ovechkin Wins Calder Memorial Trophy

In the 2005–06 NHL season, Alexander Ovechkin won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's rookie of the year, showcasing his early impact in the NHL.

2006: 2006 IIHF World Championships

During the 2006 IIHF World Championships, Alexander Ovechkin scored six goals and three assists in seven games. Russia lost to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals. Ovechkin was selected to the Media All-Star team for his performance.

October 2007: 100th NHL Goal

In October 2007, Ovechkin scored his 100th NHL goal against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.

2008: Led NHL in goals and points per game

From 2008 to 2010, Alexander Ovechkin led the NHL in goals per game and points per game for three straight seasons.

2008: 2008 IIHF World Championships Gold Medal

In 2008, Alexander Ovechkin helped lead Russia to the gold medal at the IIHF World Championships. He finished with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in nine games and was selected to the Media All-Star team for the second time.

2008: Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2008, Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy.

February 2009: 200th Career Goal

In February 2009, Ovechkin scored his 200th goal against Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, becoming the fourth player in NHL history to reach the milestone in four seasons.

2009: Second Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2009, Ovechkin secured his second Hart Memorial Trophy, solidifying his status as one of the league's top players.

January 2010: Leading Goal Scorer of the Decade

Between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, Ovechkin was the leading goal scorer with 437 goals.

January 2010: Named Washington Capitals captain

On January 5, 2010, Alexander Ovechkin was named captain of the Washington Capitals after Chris Clark was traded, becoming the first European, second-youngest, and 14th overall captain in team history.

2010: Hart Memorial Trophy Finalist

In 2010, Ovechkin was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

2012: 2012 IIHF World Championships Victory

In 2012, Alexander Ovechkin played in Russia's last three games of the IIHF World Championships, recording two goals and two assists as Russia won the tournament.

December 2013: Scored 400th career goal

On December 20, 2013, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 400th career goal into an empty net, becoming the sixth-fastest player to reach that mark in 634 games.

2013: Third Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2013, Ovechkin received his third Hart Memorial Trophy, further cementing his legacy as a dominant force in the NHL.

November 2014: Franchise points record

On November 4, 2014, in a game against the Calgary Flames, Alexander Ovechkin recorded his 826th point, surpassing Peter Bondra for the franchise record.

2014: Won Richard Trophy and had poor plus-minus

At the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, Alexander Ovechkin won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for scoring 51 goals but had a −35 plus-minus, one of the NHL's worst.

2014: 2014 IIHF World Championships Gold Medal

In 2014, Alexander Ovechkin participated in the IIHF World Championships where Russia won gold. After the tournament, Ovechkin asked Vladimir Putin to reward the Russian hockey team on an equal basis with the 2014 Olympic champions, a statement which generated some controversy.

March 2015: Scored 50th goal of the season

On March 31, 2015, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the year, becoming the sixth player in NHL history to have six 50-goal seasons.

November 2015: Tied and Broke Fedorov's Goal Record

In November 2015, Alexander Ovechkin tied Sergei Fedorov's record for most goals by a Russian-born player, with 483, and on November 19, he broke the record with his 484th goal.

2015: 2015 IIHF World Championships Silver Medal

In 2015, Alexander Ovechkin joined the Russian team late in the IIHF World Championships, where Russia won the silver medal.

2015: Hart Memorial Trophy Finalist

In 2015, Ovechkin was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

January 2016: Reached 500-Goal Plateau

On January 10, 2016, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 500th and 501st goals in a 7–1 victory over the Ottawa Senators, becoming the 43rd player to reach the 500-goal plateau, and the fifth-fastest to do so.

2016: Capitals Clinched President's Trophy

Alexander Ovechkin finished the 2016-17 season playing all 82 games with 33 goals, 36 assists and 69 points to help the Capitals clinch their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy and third in franchise history.

January 2017: Scored 1,000th career point

On January 11, 2017, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career point with a goal on Marc-André Fleury in a 7–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the 37th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points with only one team.

October 2017: Back-to-back hat tricks

In October 2017, Ovechkin became the first player in 100 years to record back-to-back hat tricks to start the season, playing against the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

2017: Named One of 100 Greatest NHL Players

In 2017, Ovechkin was honored as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time, recognizing his significant impact on the sport.

January 2018: 500th career assist

On January 25, 2018, Ovechkin achieved his 500th career assist on a goal scored by Nicklas Bäckström during a 4–2 victory against the Florida Panthers.

June 2018: Stanley Cup victory celebrations

Following the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup victory, Alexander Ovechkin participated in celebrations. On June 9, 2018, Ovechkin and teammates swam in the fountains at the Georgetown waterfront with the Cup.

December 2018: Fastest to 5,000 shots and hat trick record

In December 2018, Ovechkin became the fastest player in NHL history to reach 5,000 shots on goal. Later that month, on December 11th, Ovechkin scored his 21st hat trick in a game against the Detroit Red Wings, surpassing Pavel Bure for most hat tricks by a Russian-born player in league history.

2018: Capitals' Stanley Cup Finals

In 2018, Ovechkin and the Capitals won a playoff series, marking their first playoff series win since the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.

January 2019: All-Star Game Captain

On January 2, 2019, Ovechkin was named a captain for the upcoming 2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game, but chose to skip the game to rest.

November 2019: 24th career hat trick

On November 30, 2019, Ovechkin recorded his 24th career hat trick in a game against the Detroit Red Wings, surpassing Jari Kurri for 10th most hat tricks in NHL history.

December 2019: Leading Goal Scorer of the Decade

Between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, Ovechkin was the leading goal scorer with 437 goals.

January 2020: Named to NHL all decade team

On January 24, 2020, Ovechkin was named to the NHL all-decade team for the 2010s. He was also named captain for the 2020 National Hockey League All-Star Game.

March 2022: Third place for goals scored all-time in the NHL

On March 15, 2022, Ovechkin scored his 767th career NHL goal, moving him into third place for goals scored all-time in the NHL, passing Jaromír Jágr.

November 2022: Most goals with one team

On November 5, 2022, Ovechkin scored his 787th goal with the Washington Capitals against the Arizona Coyotes, setting a new NHL record for most goals with one team.

January 2023: Most 30-goal seasons

On January 14, 2023, Ovechkin tied Mike Gartner for having the most 30-goal seasons upon recording a 30-goal season for the 17th time, in a 3–1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

December 2023: 1,500th career point

On December 7, 2023, Ovechkin recorded his 1,500th point with an assist on a goal scored by Dylan Strome, becoming the 16th player in NHL history to reach the mark.

February 2024: Most empty-net goals all-time

On February 10, 2024, Ovechkin scored his 57th career empty-net goal, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most all-time.

October 2024: 700th Career Assist

On October 15, 2024, Ovechkin recorded his 700th career assist on a goal by Aliaksei Protas, becoming the 60th player in NHL history to reach the mark.

January 2025: Ovechkin's Milestone Goals

In January 2025, Alexander Ovechkin achieved several milestones, including recording his 20th consecutive 20-goal season, surpassing Jaromir Jagr for most goalies scored on in NHL history with 179, and recording his 32nd career hat trick.

April 2025: Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky's career goal record

In April 2025, Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky in total career goals (894).

November 2025: Ovechkin's 900th Career Goal and Regular Season Record

In November 2025, Ovechkin scored his 900th career goal, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach that milestone. Later in the month, he scored his 442nd goal in Capital One Arena, surpassing Gordie Howe for the most regular season goals scored in one building.

2025: Ovechkin's strong season and leadership award

In 2025, Ovechkin finished with 44 goals and 73 points, leading the Capitals to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, Ovechkin scored his first career playoff overtime goal and led the Capitals to their first series win since 2018. He was also awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Award for his leadership on and off the ice.

March 22, 2026: 1,000 Career Goals

On March 22, 2026, Ovechkin became the second player after Gretzky to score 1,000 career goals combined between the regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs.