How Old is Alex Ovechkin? Age, Stats & Gretzky Record 2025

At 40 years old, Alex Ovechkin is still doing something almost no one thought possible: chasing down Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable NHL goals record — and actually passing it. Born in Moscow in 1985, the Washington Capitals legend has turned Father Time into just another defender to beat.

Age: 40 · Born: September 17, 1985 · Height: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) · Weight: 238 lb (108 kg) · NHL Goals: 1,000+ · Position: Left Wing

How Old is Alex Ovechkin?

Alex Ovechkin was born on September 17, 1985, in Moscow, Russia, making him 40 years old as of 2025. The Washington Capitals left wing entered his 21st NHL season in 2025-26, an extraordinary feat for a player whose game relies so heavily on power and explosiveness.

Birthdate and Age Calculation

At the moment he tied Wayne Gretzky’s record, Ovechkin was 39 years old — roughly a decade younger than Gretzky was at the same career stage. He was 39 when he potted goals 893 and 894 against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena in what became one of the most-watched games in NHL history. Gretzky himself, then 64, was in attendance to witness the moment.

Comparison to NHL Peers

Ovechkin’s contemporary Sidney Crosby is also north of 35, yet both remain productive. The difference is Ovechkin has sustained elite goal-scoring rates well into his 40s — a rarity in a league that typically favors younger legs. His 14th 40-goal season came when breaking Gretzky’s record, illustrating a consistency almost never seen at his age.

How Close is Ovechkin to Gretzky?

The question that defined a generation of hockey conversation is now history. Ovechkin surpassed Gretzky’s 894 regular-season goals on April 6, 2025, with a power-play wrist shot that beat Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. The milestone — a number that seemed untouchable for decades — now belongs to the Moscow native alone.

Goals Records

Ovechkin scored his 894th goal in his 1,486th regular-season game, all with one franchise — the Washington Capitals. Gretzky, by contrast, needed 1,487 games and played for four different teams (Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers) to reach the same total. Ovechkin also owns the NHL records for power-play goals (325), overtime goals (27), and most game-winning goals (136). He is tied with Gretzky and Mike Bossy for most 50-goal seasons at nine. The comparison extends to combined goals: Gretzky finished with 1,016 (894 regular + 122 playoff), while Ovechkin crossed 1,000 combined goals in the 2025-26 season.

Milestones Achieved

• Surpassed Gordie Howe’s 801-goal record in 2022
• Tied Gretzky’s 894-goal record, then broke it on April 6, 2025
• Joined Gretzky as the only players to score 1,000 combined goals
• Scored his 1,000th regular-season goal later in the 2025-26 season
• Passed Gretzky for most road goals in NHL history

The implications extend beyond the record books: Ovechkin’s pace suggests he could finish his career with a regular-season total that stands for another generation.

What is Ovechkin’s Salary?

Ovechkin is in the final season of his contract with the Washington Capitals in 2025-26. His current annual cap hit is $9.5 million, a figure that reflects his standing as one of the game’s all-time greats while remaining a relative bargain compared to younger stars commanding $10-12 million annually.

Current Contract Details

According to Puckpedia, Ovechkin’s contract runs through the 2025-26 season. Given his production — 26 goals and 27 assists in 71 games during 2025-26 — he remains among the most cost-effective scoring threats in the league. Whether the Capitals offer an extension, or whether Ovechkin explores other options, remains an open question as his current deal winds down.

Cap Hit and Stats

At a $9.5 million cap hit, Ovechkin’s value proposition is remarkable. For context, several players half his age and a fraction of his legacy command similar or higher cap figures. His 923 regular-season goals heading into the 2025-26 season represent a return on investment that few players in NHL history can match.

What this means for the Capitals’ front office: every game Ovechkin plays in the final year of this deal is both a performance and a negotiating session.

How Long Has Ovechkin Been Playing in the NHL?

Ovechkin was selected first overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft, and he debuted in the 2005-06 season. That makes 2025-26 his 21st consecutive NHL season — all with the same franchise, a rarity in modern professional sports.

Draft Year

The Capitals selected Ovechkin with the first overall pick in 2004, a decision that defined the franchise’s trajectory for the next two decades. He arrived fromDynamo Moscow with a reputation as a prolific scorer and physical force, and he delivered almost immediately upon landing in Washington.

Seasons Played

Ovechkin’s 20-plus seasons in Washington represent a masterclass in longevity and sustained excellence. He’s played 1,400+ regular-season games, accumulating 923+ goals, 77 playoff goals, and countless highlight-reel moments along the way. He led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in 2018, a career-defining moment that validated years of individual brilliance.

What this means: Ovechkin’s career arc defies the typical athlete aging curve, raising the bar for what longevity in professional hockey can look like.

Ovechkin’s Personal Life and Comparisons

Beyond the stats, Ovechkin’s personality has made him a beloved figure both on and off the ice. His affinity for beer — specifically, post-game pints — became a running joke among teammates and fans alike, but it reflects a relatable, unpretentious side rarely seen in elite athletes.

Lifestyle Habits

Ovechkin’s post-goal celebration rituals and his well-documented love of a cold beverage after games have endeared him to fans who see something refreshingly human beneath the athletic machine. These quirks contrast sharply with the image of the stoic professional athlete, making him feel more accessible to the everyday hockey fan.

Relationships and Rivalries

Perhaps the most notable relationship in Ovechkin’s career is the one he developed with Wayne Gretzky himself. The Great One attended Ovechkin’s tying game, was present for the record-breaking moment, and has publicly stated his support for Ovechkin’s pursuit. Rather than viewing Ovechkin as a threat to his legacy, Gretzky embraced him as a worthy successor to the throne.

The pattern reveals how records in sports often fall to athletes who approach the game differently than their predecessors — in Ovechkin’s case, with power and persistence rather than finesse alone. For the latest information on Alex Ovechkin’s age, check out Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul hora del Reino Unido.

When measuring Ovechkin against Gretzky across key career metrics, the contrast in playing styles and career paths becomes clear.

The implication: while Gretzky’s all-around offensive dominance may never be matched, Ovechkin has carved out an undeniable claim as the greatest pure goal scorer in NHL history.

Timeline: A Record-Chasing Journey

• 1985: Born in Moscow, Russia
• 2004: Selected first overall by Washington Capitals in NHL Draft
• 2005: NHL debut season
• 2022: Surpassed Gordie Howe’s 801-goal record
• April 5, 2025: Scored goals 893 and 894, tying Gretzky’s record vs Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena
• April 6, 2025: Scored 895th goal, breaking Gretzky’s record, vs New York Islanders at UBS Arena
• 2025-26: Scored 1,000th combined regular-season and playoff goal; later scored 1,000th regular-season goal

What Experts Are Saying

Alex Ovechkin has joined Wayne Gretzky atop the NHL goals list.

— NHL.com

A number that was seemingly untouchable.

— CBS News

Gretzky, considered arguably the greatest hockey player of all time, attended the game where Ovechkin tied his record at age 64.

— NHL.com

The narrative around Ovechkin’s chase has evolved from skeptical to celebratory. Where once the question was “can anyone actually catch Gretzky?”, now the conversation centers on how high Ovechkin’s number can go — and whether he can pad his totals enough to make it truly unreachable.

Looking Ahead

The 2025-26 season marks the final year of Ovechkin’s current deal with the Capitals, raising questions about his future. Will he retire as a Capital, or will he explore opportunities elsewhere? At 40, he’s still producing at a rate that would make him a valuable asset on any roster, but his stated preference has always been to finish his career in Washington.

For fans of the NHL, the next chapter of Ovechkin’s story carries stakes beyond individual statistics. He’s playing out the final stretch of what may be the greatest goal-scoring career in hockey history, and every game he takes the ice is a potential milestone. Whether he signs another contract or rides into the sunset, the record he now owns — 895 and counting — will stand as a monument to two decades of relentless, thunderous hockey.

Related reading: NHL Standings 2025-2026: Live Updates, Projections & Playoffs

Alex Ovechkin, turning 40 while chasing Gretzky’s record, has his age, birthday, NHL facts chronicled alongside career milestones and stats.

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