NHL-All-time scoring leader Ovechkin says this season will be his last

Oct 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Oct 5 (Reuters) - Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin ⁠will retire after the 2026-27 NHL season, the league's all-time goal-scoring leader said on Monday, calling time ⁠on one of the sport's most extraordinary careers after more than two decades.

Ovechkin propelled himself to ‌the top of multiple all-time NHL records after joining the league in 2005, ranking first in 40-goal seasons (14) and power-play goals (331). He broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record last year when he netted his 895th, a mark once thought untouchable.

"My family and I decided this summer that this ​will be my final year in the NHL," the 41-year-old Russian said ⁠in a statement. "I love this game so ⁠much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision."

Ovechkin informed his teammates of his decision in a ⁠locker- ‌room address, with their opening home game of the season set for Wednesday.

"I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special," said Ovechkin.

"I am ⁠going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans ​and everyone who has been part ‌of my hockey career."

The former first overall draft pick for the Capitals is the longest-contracted professional athlete ⁠ever in Washington DC, ​and delivered the team their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018.

Ovechkin courted controversy in the off-season when he agreed to appear in a political advertisement in support of the United Russia party, which has the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He latertold ⁠reporters of his decision: "I support my country."

But the forward has long ​held the overwhelming affections of the US capital's fans and ticket prices for the team's final regular-season home game in April soared on secondary sales platforms after his announcement.

"It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home ⁠game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses," said Ovechkin.

"I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them."

His departure will bring to an end one of the ​sport's most compelling rivalries, with his multi-year, back-and-forth battle against Canada's Sidney Crosby ⁠captivating fans.

Crosby was drafted first overall the year after Ovechkin.

"It's tough - you come into the league at 18 years old and ​before we even met we were kind of built up against each ‌other," Pittsburgh Penguins captain Crosby told reporters. "Over the years, obviously, ​have developed a friendship with him and have a ton of respect for him."

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York and Frank Pingue in Toronto, Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Ed Osmond and Christian Radnedge)

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2026年10月3日；美国佛罗里达州坦帕市；华盛顿首都队左翼球员亚历克斯·奥维奇金（8号）在Benchmark国际球馆第二节比赛中对阵坦帕湾闪电队。图片来源：Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images（强制署名）

10 月 5 日（路透社）——华盛顿首都队队长亚历克斯·奥维奇金周一表示，他将在 2026-27 NHL 赛季结束后退役。这位联盟历史上进球最多的球员结束了他二十多年的职业生涯，堪称这项运动中最非凡的职业生涯之一。

奥维奇金自2005年加入NHL以来，就迅速跻身多项NHL历史纪录的榜首，其中包括单赛季40球以上的次数（14次）和强打进球数（331个）。去年，他攻入职业生涯第895球，打破了韦恩·格雷茨基保持的历史进球纪录，这一纪录一度被认为难以企及。

“今年夏天，我和家人决定，这将是我在NHL的最后一个赛季，”这位41岁的俄罗斯球员在一份声明中说。“我非常热爱这项运动，但我内心深处知道，这是正确的决定。”

奥维奇金在更衣室讲话中告知队友他的决定，他们的赛季首个主场比赛定于周三举行。

奥维奇金说：“我和队友们对这个赛季充满期待，我们将竭尽全力让今年变得特别。”

“我将珍惜与家人、孩子们、球迷以及所有参与过我冰球生涯的人在一起的每一刻。”

这位曾被华盛顿首都队选中的状元秀，是华盛顿特区有史以来合同期限最长的职业运动员，并在 2018 年为球队赢得了他们的第一个斯坦利杯冠军。

奥韦奇金在休赛期曾因同意出演支持统一俄罗斯党的政治广告而引发争议，该党得到了俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京的支持。他后来告诉记者，他的决定是：“我支持我的国家。”

但这位前锋长期以来深受美国首都球迷的喜爱，在他宣布离队后，球队 4 月份最后一场常规赛主场比赛的门票价格在二级销售平台上飙升。

奥维奇金说：“对我来说，在首个主场比赛前宣布这个消息非常重要，这样我才有机会感谢所有与这项运动有关的人，感谢所有对我、我的家人来说非常重要的人，感谢他们在顺境和逆境中帮助过我。”

“如果没有他们，我不可能取得我人生中的一切成就。”

他的离开将终结这项运动中最引人入胜的竞争之一，他与加拿大球员西德尼·克罗斯比之间长达数年的拉锯战吸引了众多球迷。

克罗斯比在奥维奇金之后一年被选为状元。

“这很艰难——你18岁就进入联盟，在我们见面之前，我们就被当作竞争对手看待，”匹兹堡企鹅队队长克罗斯比告诉记者。“这些年来，很显然，我和他建立了友谊，并且非常尊重他。”

（纽约 Amy Tennery 和多伦多 Frank Pingue 报道，Tomasz Janowski、Ed Osmond 和 Christian Radnedge 编辑）

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