How Long Has Ovechkin Been In The NHL?

How long has Alexander Ovechkin been in the NHL? The answer may surprise you.

Alexander Ovechkin’s NHL Debut

Alexander Ovechkin made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Ovechkin has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in the NHL, and is currently the captain of the Washington Capitals.

Drafted by the Washington Capitals

Ovechkin was the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He began his NHL career in the 2005–06 season, scoring two goals in his first game. He went on to score 52 goals and 106 points, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. He also led NHL rookies with 371 shots on goal, a Capitals franchise record for a rookie.

Making his NHL debut

Ovechkin was the first overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL career in 2005–06 and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. He appeared in his first Stanley Cup playoff series during his second season and helped the Capitals reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in team history.

Ovechkin’s Early Career

Alex Ovechkin has been in the NHL for 14 seasons. He played his first game on October 5, 2005, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. Ovechkin was 20 years old when he entered the league. He quickly became one of the most popular players in the NHL.

His first NHL goal

Alex Ovechkin began his NHL career with the Washington Capitals in 2005. He scored his first NHL goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 5, 2005. Ovechkin would finish the 2005-06 season with 52 goals and 106 points, earning him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.

Winning the Calder Memorial Trophy

In his first season in the NHL, Ovechkin was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, and became the first rookie to score 50 goals since Pavel Bure in 1992–93. He led all rookies with 106 points to win the Calder, making him only the eighth player in NHL history to win the Art Ross and Calder trophies in the same season. He became Washington’s first Rookie of the Year, and only the fourth player in NHL history to win both awards in the same season. On April 23, 2006, Ovechkin scored two goals against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltenderès John Grahame in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series, becoming the first Capitals player ever to score two goals in a Stanley Cup playoff game

Ovechkin’s Prime

Alexander Ovechkin has been in the NHL for 14 seasons now, and many people are beginning to wonder if he is still in his prime. The answer may depend on how you define “prime”. If you consider a player’s prime to be the time when they are the best player in the league, then Ovechkin is no longer in his prime.

Becoming a league leader

In his NHL career, Ovechkin has led the league in goals eight times, winning the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal-scorer seven times. He is a six-time recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” as voted on by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). He has also been named to 14 NHL First and Second All-Star Teams and is a three-time winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. Additionally, he has been named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP twice, captained the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018 and was honoured with induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.

Winning the Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2018, Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy for the third time in his career. The Hart Trophy is given to the player who is judged to be the most valuable to his team during the regular season.

Ovechkin’s Later Career

Ovechkin was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 2005–06 season. He scored two goals in his first game, becoming the first 18-year-old to score a goal in his NHL debut since the league changed its eligibility rules in 1979–80. Ovechkin finished the season with 52 points, earning him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. In his second season, Ovechkin was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team and led the league in goals with 46. He also helped the Capitals to their first Southeast Division title in franchise history.

Reaching the 700-goal milestone

In January 2020, Ovechkin became the eighth NHL player to score 700 goals. He did so in his 1,144th game, becoming the third-fastest player to reach that mark, behind only Wayne Gretzky (819 games) and Mario Lemieux (1,013). Ovechkin is also the first Russian-born player to score 700 goals.

Winning the Stanley Cup

In 2018, Ovechkin finally captured the Stanley Cup, winning it for the first time in his 13-year career. The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, with Ovechkin scoring a goal in each of the final four contests. He led the playoffs with 15 goals, and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP. With the victory, Ovechkin became the eighth Russian-born player to win the Stanley Cup.