Sergei and Ilya Ovechkin announced their father’s name during player introductions before the Washington Capitals’ first home game of the 2026–27 NHL season. Fans greeted the forward with a standing ovation.
Washington hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in a regular-season game. The Capitals’ players are usually introduced by the announcer at Capital One Arena, but Alexander Ovechkin’s sons took the microphone to announce him this time. They addressed the crowd in English.
The stands responded with applause and chants for the 41-year-old forward. This is Ovechkin’s 22nd NHL season. He previously said he would end his playing career in North America after the current campaign.
Ovechkin remains the NHL’s all-time leader in regular-season goals. He has scored 930 in 1,576 games. Wayne Gretzky held the previous record with 894 goals in 1,487 games.