Ovechkin, Alexander Mikhailovich, 1985–, Russian hockey player. He joined Dynamo Moscow, a professional team, at 16, and led Russia to a junior championship. A Washington Capitals first-round pick in the 2004 National Hockey League draft, the left winger scored 52 goals, 54 assists, and 106 points in 2005–6 and was named rookie of the year. In 2008, 2009, and 2013 he was named most valuable player, and he was the playoffs' MVP in 2018 when the Caps won the Stanley Cup. When he signed a 13-year, $124-million contract with the Caps in 2009, he became the NHL's first $100-million player. He has been the league's leading scorer a record nine seasons and surpassed the 700-goal mark in 2020.
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