Russian NHL legend Ovechkin announces retirement

The 41-year-old Washington Capitals captain urged his teammates to “do some special things” in his final year in the league Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin will retire after the current NHL season, he told his teammates in a video shared on social media. In the short clip, which was filmed in the team’s locker room on Monday, the 41-year-old Russian said he was sad to tell his teammates he would soon be leaving, while urging them to “have fun and enjoy the moment” and “do some special things this year. ” Ovechkin, who was born in Moscow, has faced controversy over his unapologetic support for his home country.

He was placed on Ukraine’s semi-official ‘kill list’ of purported enemies of the state after setting the NHL’s all-time goal record last year and has recently faced sanctions. Alex Ovechkin announced to his teammates this morning that this season will be his final in the NHL https://t. co/wnnnkrIl5U — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 5, 2026 Ovechkin signed a one-year contract with the Capitals this summer after surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time regular-season goal record in April 2025. He confirmed his retirement plans two days before Washington’s opening game on Wednesday night. The Capitals, who drafted Ovechkin in 2004, missed the playoffs in 2025-26, but their captain played all 82 games and scored 32 goals. : Russia’s next hockey superstars are coming for the NHL Last month, Ovechkin drew criticism from pro-Ukraine circles after appearing…