Alexander Ovechkin's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Alexander Ovechkin, nicknamed "the Great 8" and "Ovi," is a highly accomplished Russian professional ice hockey player. He currently plays left wing and serves as captain for the Washington Capitals in the NHL. 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 considered one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of hockey.

Sections (5)

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

1968: Tim Horton's Achievement

In 1968, Tim Horton became the player 39 years of age or older to record three points in consecutive games.

1980: Jean Ratelle's Achievement

In 1980, Jean Ratelle became the player 39 years of age or older to record three points in consecutive games.

1998: Capitals Stanley Cup Finals Appearance

In 1998, the Washington Capitals reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, prior to Ovechkin joining the team.

2002: Youngest Player on Russian National Team

In 2002, at the age of 17, Ovechkin became the youngest skater ever to play for the Russian national team and the youngest player ever to score for the national team during the Česká Pojišťovna Cup EuroTour tournament. He also played at the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships, leading Russia to a silver medal.

2003: World Junior Championship Gold Medal

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

December 2004: Named to Russian National Team

In December 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 play in the tournament. He was also named captain of the junior team in the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, which began in December 2004.

2004: RSL Title with Dynamo

Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Ovechkin remained with Dynamo for one more season. In the playoffs, he helped Dynamo win the RSL title.

January 2005: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In January 2005, Alexander Ovechkin participated in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, which ran from December 25, 2004, to January 4, 2005. Ovechkin tied for the tournament lead with seven goals. His team received the silver medal after losing the gold medal game to Canada on January 4, and Ovechkin was named the Best Forward of the tournament and selected to the tournament All-Star team.

2005: Ovechkin Wins Calder Memorial Trophy

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

January 2006: Named NHL Rookie and Offensive Player of the Month

In February 2006, Ovechkin was named NHL Rookie of the Month for January 2006 as well as being named Offensive Player of the Month, becoming only the third player in NHL history to earn both honors simultaneously.

January 2006: First Career Hat Trick and "The Goal"

In January 2006, Ovechkin scored his first career hat trick against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Later in January, he scored "The Goal" against the Phoenix Coyotes.

2006: Wins Calder Memorial Trophy; EA Sports Cover Athlete

After the 2005-06 season ended, Ovechkin received the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best rookie. EA Sports made him one of the cover athletes for NHL 07.

2006: IIHF World Championships

In 2006, Alexander Ovechkin played in the IIHF World Championships, scoring six goals and three assists (nine points) in seven games. Russia lost to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, but Ovechkin was selected to the Media All-Star team.

2006: Named to the NHL first All-Star team

In 2006, Ovechkin was named to the NHL first All-Star team, the first rookie to receive the honor in 15 years.

October 2007: Scores 100th NHL Goal

On October 12, 2007, Ovechkin scored his 100th NHL goal against Henrik Lundqvist.

2008: IIHF World Championship 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 Award

In 2008, Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy honoring the most valuable player in the league.

2008: Wins Hart Memorial Trophy and Best Player Award

In 2008, Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player and the award for best player as voted on by the National Hockey League Players' Association.

February 2009: Scores 200th NHL Goal

On February 5, 2009, Ovechkin scored his 200th goal against Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings.

2009: Hart Memorial Trophy Award

In 2009, Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy honoring the most valuable player in the league.

2009: Wins Hart Memorial Trophy and Best Player Award for the Second Time

In 2009, Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player and the award for best player as voted on by the National Hockey League Players' Association for the second time.

January 2010: Start of Decade Goal Scoring

Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, Ovechkin was the leading goal scorer in the NHL.

2010: Finalist for Hart Memorial Trophy and Best Player Award

In 2010, Ovechkin was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy and the award for best player as voted on by the National Hockey League Players' Association.

2010: Hart Memorial Trophy Finalist

In 2010, Ovechkin was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy honoring the most valuable player in the league.

December 2011: Plays 500th NHL Game

On December 3, 2011, Ovechkin played his 500th NHL game in an OT win against the Ottawa Senators, recording an assist.

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: Scores 400th Career Goal

On December 20, 2013, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 400th career goal in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, becoming the sixth-fastest player to reach that milestone.

2013: Hart Memorial Trophy Award

In 2013, Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy honoring the most valuable player in the league.

November 2014: Franchise Point Record

In November 2014, Alexander Ovechkin recorded his 826th point in a game, surpassing Peter Bondra to become the franchise's all-time leading scorer.

2014: IIHF World Championships Gold Medal

In 2014, Alexander Ovechkin participated in the IIHF World Championships where Russia won gold. After the tournament, he asked Vladimir Putin to reward the Russian hockey team on an equal basis with the 2014 Olympic champions. This request was criticized.

2014: Richard Trophy win and missed playoffs

In 2014, Alexander Ovechkin won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, scoring 51 goals, while going −35. Capitals missed the 2014 playoffs.

March 2015: Sixth 50-Goal Season

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

November 2015: Breaks Russian Goal Record

In November 2015, Alexander Ovechkin surpassed Sergei Fedorov to become the highest-scoring Russian-born player in the NHL.

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: Finalist for Hart Memorial Trophy and Best Player Award

In 2015, Ovechkin was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy and the award for best player as voted on by the National Hockey League Players' Association.

2015: Hart Memorial Trophy Finalist

In 2015, Ovechkin was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy honoring the most valuable player in the league.

January 2016: Scores 500th NHL Goal

On January 10, 2016, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 500th and 501st goals in a game against the Ottawa Senators, becoming the 43rd player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal plateau.

January 2017: Scores 1,000th Career Point

On January 11, 2017, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career point in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the 37th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points with one team.

October 2017: Back-to-back hat tricks

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

2017: Named One of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of All Time

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

June 2018: Stanley Cup Celebrations

Following the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup victory, Alexander Ovechkin participated in celebrations, including an incident on June 9, 2018, where he and teammates swam in the fountains at the Georgetown waterfront with the Cup. The summer of 2018 was dubbed "The Summer of Ovi."

December 2018: Fastest to 5,000 shots and 21st hat trick

In December 2018, Ovechkin became the fastest player in NHL history to take 5,000 shots on goal. Also in December 2018, he scored the 21st hat trick of his NHL career in a 6–2 win over Detroit Red Wings.

2018: Stanley Cup Finals Victory

In 2018, Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals won a playoff series of any kind since the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.

2018: Hardest Shot Title at All-Star Game

In 2018, Ovechkin won the hardest shot title at the National Hockey League All-Star Game skills competition, achieving a top speed of 101.3 mph.

2018: Capitals Win Stanley Cup; Ovechkin Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

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

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 announced that he was choosing 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 5–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

December 2019: End of Decade Goal Scoring

Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, Ovechkin was the leading goal scorer in the NHL.

2019: Shared Goals Record

In 2019, Cole Caufield matched Ovechkin's single tournament goals record at the IIHF World U18 Championships.

January 2020: 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, choosing to skip it.

March 2022: Moves into third 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: Ties for most 30-goal seasons

On January 14, 2023, Ovechkin tied Mike Gartner for having the most 30-goal seasons, recording his 17th 30-goal season.

December 2023: 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: 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: Scoring achievements in January 2025

In January 2025, Alexander Ovechkin reached several milestones. On January 11, 2025, he scored an empty-net goal against the Nashville Predators, marking his 20th consecutive 20-goal season, joining Gordie Howe. On January 16, 2025, he scored the only goal against the Ottawa Senators, surpassing Jaromir Jagr for most goalies scored on in NHL history with 179 since 2005.

April 2025: Overtaking Wayne Gretzky in Career Goals

In April 2025, Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky in total career goals (894). Gretzky was present to congratulate Ovechkin when he set the new record on April 6, 2025.

November 2025: 900th Career Goal and Arena Record

In November 2025, Ovechkin achieved significant milestones. On November 5, 2025, he scored his 900th career goal in a game against the St. Louis Blues, making him the first player in NHL history to reach that milestone. On November 17, 2025, Ovechkin scored his 442nd goal in Capital One Arena during a game against the Los Angeles Kings, surpassing Gordie Howe for the most regular-season goals scored in one building.

2025: 2025 Season achievements

In 2025, Ovechkin concluded the season with 44 goals and 29 assists, totaling 73 points across 65 games. The Capitals secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference and were the runner-up for the Presidents' Trophy. Ovechkin's 44 goals ranked third in the league. He was also nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. On April 21, 2025, Ovechkin scored two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in the first playoff game against the Montreal Canadiens, leading the Capitals to a 3–2 overtime victory. Ovechkin and the Capitals eventually defeated the Canadiens in five games, marking their first playoff series win since 2018. For his leadership, Ovechkin was awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Award.