Alex Ovechkin rewrote a lot of hockey history during the 2024-25 regular season. While breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record obviously reigns supreme among his accomplishments, the Capitals captain also added his name to several top age-related lists.
Earlier in the year, Ovechkin became the oldest player in NHL history to lead the league outright in goals (min. 10 goals) partway through a season and only the 12th player in NHL history to score a hat trick at age 39 or older. Now that the Caps have wrapped up their regular-season schedule, NHL PR notes that the 39-year-old winger can say he is the fourth-oldest player in NHL history to lead his team in goals in a season.
Ovechkin finished his 20th campaign in the NHL with 44 goals in 65 games, 11 goals ahead of Tom Wilson for the Capitals’ team lead.
Oldest players to lead their team in goals
| Player | Goals | Season | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaromir Jagr (DAL) | 14 | 2012-13 | 41y,72d |
| Johnny Bucyk (BOS) | 36 | 1975-76 | 40y,328d |
| Gordie Howe (DET) | 39 | 1967-68 | 40y,0d |
| Alex Ovechkin (WSH) | 44 | 2024-25 | 39y,212d |
| Shane Doan (ARI) | 28 | 2015-16 | 39y,183d |
Note: Age based on final day of NHL regular season.
Ovechkin scored his 897th career goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Capitals’ regular-season finale on Thursday night. The goal tied Ovi with Gordie Howe — 44 goals at age 40 during the 1968-69 season — for the most goals by a player age 39 or older.
Despite missing 17 games this year, Ovechkin finished third in the Rocket Richard Trophy race, behind only 29-year-old Leon Draisaitl (52 goals) and 28-year-old William Nylander (45 goals). If Ovechkin had missed no games this season and kept up his scoring pace (0.68 goals per game), he’d have finished with 56 goals.
Ovechkin was the fifth-oldest player in the NHL this season and one of just six total players age 39 or older. The only players older than Ovechkin were Marc-Andre Fleury (40), Ryan Suter (40), Brent Burns (40), and Corey Perry (39).
