Alexander Ovechkin's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Alexander Ovechkin, a Russian professional ice hockey left winger, captains the Washington Capitals in the NHL. Known as "The Great 8" and "Ovi," he is renowned for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, ranking second only to Wayne Gretzky in all-time NHL goals. Ovechkin holds numerous NHL records, including most power play goals, away game goals, overtime goals, goalies scored upon, and goals with one team. He's one of three players to reach 800 career goals, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in hockey.

Sections (5)

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

1943: First Team All-Star

From 1943–44 through 1946–47, Bill Durnan was voted a First Team All-Star

1946: First Team All-Star

From 1943–44 through 1946–47, Bill Durnan was voted a First Team All-Star

1965: Left-Winger Leading in Points

In 2008, Ovechkin capturing the Art Ross Trophy marked the first time in 41 seasons that a left-winger led the NHL in points since Bobby Hull in 1965–66.

1995: Last 60-Goal Season

In March 2008, Ovechkin became the first NHL player to score 60 goals in a season since Mario Lemieux and Jaromír Jágr did so in 1995–96.

1998: Capitals previously in Stanley Cup Finals

The Capitals previously reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998 before Ovechkin joined the team.

1999: Last 40 Even-Strength Goals

In 2008, Ovechkin became the first NHL player to score at least 40 even-strength goals in one season since Pavel Bure in 1999–2000.

2000: Rocket Richard Trophy

In 2000, the Rocket Richard Trophy was awarded to Bure.

2000: Last 40 Even-Strength Goals

In 2008, Ovechkin became the first NHL player to score at least 40 even-strength goals in one season since Pavel Bure in 1999–2000.

2001: Rocket Richard Trophy

In 2001, the Rocket Richard Trophy was awarded to Bure.

2002: Youngest Player on Russian National Team

At age 17, Alexander Ovechkin became the youngest skater ever to play for the Russian national team in the Česká Pojišťovna Cup EuroTour tournament in 2002. He also became the youngest player to score for the national team in that tournament.

2003: World Junior Championships Gold Medal

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

2004: Youngest Player in World Cup of Hockey

In 2004, at the age of 19, Alexander Ovechkin was named to the Russian national team for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, making him the youngest player to participate in the tournament.

January 2005: Silver Medal and Best Forward Award

In January 2005, at the conclusion of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Alexander Ovechkin's team received the silver medal after losing to Canada. Ovechkin was named the Best Forward of the tournament and selected to the All-Star team.

2005: Won RSL Title

In 2005, Alexander Ovechkin helped Dynamo Moscow win the RSL title during the playoffs.

2005: Calder Memorial Trophy

In the 2005–06 season, Alexander Ovechkin captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year and finished third overall in league scoring.

2006: Selection to the Media All-Star team at the IIHF World Championships

In 2006, at the IIHF World Championships, Alexander Ovechkin scored six goals and three assists in seven games, leading to his selection to the Media All-Star team despite Russia's quarter-final loss to the Czech Republic.

October 2007: 100th NHL Goal

On October 12, 2007, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 100th NHL goal against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.

2008: Goals per Game and Points per Game

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

2008: Winning Gold Medal and Selection to Media All-Star Team at IIHF World Championships

In 2008, Alexander Ovechkin played a crucial role in leading Russia to a gold medal at the IIHF World Championships, contributing 12 points in nine games, and he was selected to the Media All-Star team for the second time.

2008: Ovechkin Wins Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2008, Alexander Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, an honor given to the NHL's most valuable player.

2008: Hart Memorial Trophy Win

In 2008, Alexander Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player.

February 2009: Ovechkin Scores 200th Goal

On February 5, 2009, Ovechkin achieved his 200th career goal against Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, becoming the fourth NHL player to reach this milestone in four seasons.

2009: Ovechkin Wins Second Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2009, Alexander Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, marking his second time receiving this honor for being the NHL's most valuable player.

2009: Hart Memorial Trophy Win

In 2009, Alexander Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player.

2010: Hart Memorial Trophy Finalist

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

2010: Ovechkin Named Hart Trophy Finalist

In 2010, Alexander Ovechkin was named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the NHL's most valuable player.

December 2011: Ovechkin Plays 500th NHL Game

On December 3, 2011, Ovechkin marked his 500th NHL game, contributing an assist in a 3–2 overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators.

2012: Ovechkin Plays in KHL During Lockout

During the 2012 lockout, Ovechkin joined Dynamo Moscow in the KHL, scoring 19 goals, 21 assists and 40 points in 31 games. Dynamo won the Gagarin Cup at the end of the season.

2012: Winning the IIHF World Championships

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

December 2013: Ovechkin Scores 400th Career Goal

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

2013: Ovechkin Wins Third Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2013, Alexander Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy for the third time, recognizing him as the most valuable player in the NHL.

2013: Hart Memorial Trophy Win

In 2013, Alexander Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player.

November 2014: Ovechkin Sets Franchise Point Record

On November 4, 2014, Ovechkin achieved a franchise record with his 826th point in a game against the Calgary Flames, surpassing Peter Bondra's previous record of 825 points.

2014: Ovechkin Wins Rocket Richard Trophy

At the conclusion of the 2013-14 season in 2014, Ovechkin won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy with 51 goals but had a −35 plus-minus rating, and the Capitals missed the playoffs.

2014: Winning Gold at the IIHF World Championships and subsequent request to Vladimir Putin

In 2014, after Russia won gold at the IIHF World Championships, Alexander Ovechkin requested Vladimir Putin to reward the Russian hockey team equally with the Olympic champions, sparking criticism as the World Championship was considered less significant than Olympic gold.

March 2015: Ovechkin Scores 50th Goal of the Season

On March 31, 2015, Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes, becoming the sixth player in NHL history to achieve six 50-goal seasons.

November 2015: Ovechkin Ties and Breaks Fedorov's Goal Record

In November 2015, Ovechkin tied Sergei Fedorov's record for most goals among Russian-born players on November 7, 2015, and then broke the record on November 19, 2015, with his ninth goal of the season against the Dallas Stars.

2015: Hart Memorial Trophy Finalist

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

2015: Ovechkin Named Hart Trophy Finalist Again

In 2015, Alexander Ovechkin was once again named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

January 2016: Ovechkin Scores 500th Career Goal

On January 10, 2016, Ovechkin scored his 500th and 501st career goals in a game against the Ottawa Senators, becoming the 43rd player and first Russian to reach the 500-goal milestone.

2016: Capitals clinch second consecutive Presidents' Trophy

During the 2016 season, Ovechkin played all 82 games, contributing 33 goals, 36 assists, and 69 points, which helped the Capitals secure their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy and third in franchise history.

January 2017: Ovechkin scores 1,000th career point

In January 2017, Alexander Ovechkin achieved his 1,000th career point with a goal against Marc-André Fleury in a 7–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the 37th player in NHL history to reach this milestone with a single team.

October 2017: Back-to-back hat tricks to start the season

On October 7, 2017, Ovechkin became the first player in 100 years to begin the season with consecutive hat tricks against the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

2017: Named One of 100 Greatest NHL Players

In 2017, Alexander Ovechkin was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.

January 2018: Ovechkin Records 500th Assist

On 25 January 2018, Alexander Ovechkin recorded his 500th career assist on a Nicklas Bäckström goal in a 4–2 win over the Florida Panthers. Capitals head coach Barry Trotz highlighted Ovechkin's playmaking abilities.

June 2018: Stanley Cup victory celebration

In June 2018, following the Capitals' Stanley Cup victory, Alexander Ovechkin and his teammates celebrated by swimming in the fountains at the Georgetown waterfront with the Cup.

December 2018: Ovechkin reaches 5,000 shots on goal and passes Bure for most hat tricks

In December 2018, Ovechkin became the fastest player in NHL history to take 5,000 shots on goal. Later that month, he scored his 21st career hat trick, surpassing Pavel Bure for the most hat tricks by a Russian-born player in NHL history. Ovechkin also had a career-best 14 game point streak from 16 November to 15 December, which included back-to-back hat tricks against the Red Wings on 10 December and Hurricanes on 15 December, respectively.

2018: Stanley Cup Win and Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2018, Alexander Ovechkin won the Stanley Cup for the first time with the Washington Capitals, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the 2018 playoffs.

November 2019: Ovechkin records 24th career hat trick

On November 30, 2019, Ovechkin recorded his 24th career hat trick in a 5–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, surpassing Jari Kurri for 10th most hat tricks in NHL history. He also recorded an assist in the same game.

2019: Sharing the Single Tournament Goals Record

As of 2019, Alexander Ovechkin shares the single tournament goals record at the IIHF World U18 Championships with Cole Caufield, who scored as many goals in seven games at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships.

January 24, 2020: Ovechkin named to NHL all decade team

On January 24, 2020, Ovechkin was named to the NHL all decade team for the 2010s. He ended the 2010s decade as the leading goal scorer.

March 2022: Ovechkin moves into 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 all-time goals scored in the NHL, passing Jaromír Jágr.

November 2022: Ovechkin sets NHL record for most goals with one team

On November 5, 2022, Ovechkin scored his 787th goal with the Washington Capitals, setting a new NHL record for most goals with one team. On November 29, he surpassed Gretzky for most road goals with 403.

January 2023: Ovechkin ties Gartner for 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.

December 2023: Ovechkin records 1,500th 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: Ovechkin passes Gretzky for most empty-net goals

On February 10, 2024, Ovechkin scored his 57th career empty-net goal in a 3–0 Capitals win over the Boston Bruins, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most all-time.

October 2024: Ovechkin Records 700th Career Assist

In October 2024, Alexander Ovechkin achieved his 700th career assist on a goal by Aliaksei Protas during a 4–2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, marking him as the 60th player in NHL history to reach this milestone.

January 11, 2025: Ovechkin Scores 20th Consecutive 20-Goal Season

On January 11, 2025, Alexander Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal in a 4–1 win against the Nashville Predators, becoming the second player in NHL history, after Gordie Howe, to record 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons.