Alex Ovechkin career timeline

On Jan. 23rd, Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin notched his 875th career goal in a win against the Seattle Kraken, putting him only 20 goals away from breaking the NHL all-time career goal record set by Wayne Gretzky. Here are some of Ovechkin’s career highlights as he continues his pursuit of The Great One’s Record:

June 26, 2004 - Ovechkin taken with first pick

The Capitals drafted Russian teenager Alexander Ovechkin with the first overall pick of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Ovechkin was a highly touted prospect, being projected as the top pick multiple years prior to his selection.

AP Photo/Karl Deblaker

Oct. 5, 2005 - Ovechkin Plays First NHL Game

Due to the 2004-05 lockout, it took over a year for Ovechkin to make his NHL debut. His highly anticipated first NHL appearance occurred on Oct. 5, where he scored two goals in a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

April 21, 2006 - Ovechkin completes first year

The Washington Capitals struggled in the 2005-06 season, with more points than only three other franchises, but that was no fault of Ovechkin, who had a historic rookie season. Ovechkin finished with 106 points, third in the league that year and the third-highest rookie total of all time. He was named to the All-Star team, the first rookie to earn a spot on the team in 15 years. Following the season, Ovechkin won the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the best rookie in the NHL.

APhoto/Sportnet

Oct. 12, 2007- Ovechkin scores 100th goal

In a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, Ovechkin scored his 100th career goal. Needing just 167 games to hit that milestone, Ovechkin joined an exclusive club of 10 players to score 100 goals in less than 170 games.

March 25, 2008 - Ovechkin breaks Capitals goal record

Ovechkin scored his 61st goal of the 2007-08 season in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. His 61st goal broke Dennis Maruk’s Capitals record for most goals scored in a season. Ovechkin would finish the season with 65 goals, also setting the record for most goals in a season by a left winger in NHL history.

He won a historic four regular season awards, including the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP. Playing on a freshly signed, record-breaking contract worth $124 million over 13 years, Ovechkin led the Capitals back to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 5, 2009 - Ovechkin scores 200th goal

Ovechkin scored his 200th career goal in a game against the Los Angeles Kings, becoming just the fourth player to score 200 goals in their first four seasons. He would go on to win his second straight Hart Memorial Trophy.

April 5, 2011- Ovechkin scores 300th goal

In a game against the Toronto Maple Leaves, Ovechkin scored his 300th career goal, becoming the seventh-fastest player to hit that mark in NHL history.

Jan. 6, 2013 - NHL lockout ends

The second major NHL lockout in the span of a decade concluded a few days after the turn of 2013. Ovechkin had been playing in the KHL, a professional league primarily based in his native country of Russia, but returned to play in the NHL after the lockout concluded. He would finish the shortened season winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Rocket Richard Trophy, his third time winning both awards.

Dec. 20, 2013 - Ovechkin Scores 400th Goal

Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal against the Hurricanes for his 400th career goal. He would go on to win his fourth Rocket Richard Trophy at the end of the year.

Nov. 4, 2014 - Ovechkin Breaks Capitals Points Record

Ovechkin notched his 826th career point in a game against the Calgary Flames, surpassing Peter Bondra’s franchise record. He would go on to surpass Bondra as the franchise’s goal leader in the same season on April 2, 2015. He would finish the season with 53 goals, once again capturing the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Jan. 10, 2016- Ovechkin scores 500th goal

Against the Ottawa Senators, Ovechkin scored his 500th career goal. He became the fifth-fastest player and the first Russian-born player in NHL history to reach the milestone.

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Jan. 11, 2017- Ovechkin records 1000th point

A goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins gave Ovechkin his 1000th career point. He joined an exclusive club of players to do so with one team.

March 12, 2018 - Ovechkin scores 600th goal

The 2018 regular season was filled with statistical accolades and awards for Ovechkin. On top of his 600th goal, which came against the Winnipeg Jets, he surpassed Bondra’s franchise record for hat-tricks and surpassed Jerome Jagr’s NHL record for regular-season overtime goals.

He also recorded his 500th career assist and became the first Capitals player to play 1,000 NHL games. Ovechkin once again won the Rocket Richard Trophy, joining Bobby Hull as the only player to lead the league in goals on seven different occasions.

June 7, 2018 - Ovechkin wins first Stanley Cup

Despite the numerous accolades Ovechkin has put up at this point in his career, playoff success has largely eluded him. He and the Capitals often disappointed in the playoffs, squandering 3-1 series leads on multiple occasions and never advancing past the second round.

Their fortunes turned around in the 2018 playoffs, where the Capitals defeated the Las Vegas Golden Knights in five games to win the Stanley Cup. Ovechkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the postseason.

AP Photo/John Locher

Feb. 22, 2020 - Ovechkin scores 700th goal

Ovechkin became the eighth player in NHL history to score 700 career goals after scoring in a loss to the New Jersey Devils. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season ended three weeks early, and Ovechkin won the Rocket Richard Trophy for the third consecutive year and ninth time in his career

March 15, 2022 - Ovechkin passes Jagr

In a win over the New York Islanders, Ovechkin scored his 767th career goal, passing Jagr for third on the NHL’s all-time goals scored leaderboard. Ovechkin set the all-time record for power-play goals earlier in the season and would go on to score 50 goals, becoming the oldest player to record a 50-goal season.

Dec. 13, 2022 - Ovechkin scores 800th goal

Ovechkin recorded a hat-trick against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring his 800th career goal in the process. He broke the NHL record for most goals scored with a singular franchise earlier in the season. 10 days later, he would score twice against the Jets. His 802nd goal passed Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL all-time goals list.

Jan. 23, 2025 - Ovechkin scores 875th goal

His most recent goal, Ovechkin scored an empty-netter against the Seattle Kraken. Ovechkin now eyes Gretzky as the all-time goal leader, 20 goals away from claiming the crown.

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Marti

Alex Perez is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email app5877@psu.edu.