Alex Ovechkin is back on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
The Washington Capitals captain participated in Tuesday morning’s informal skate, joining a large group of his teammates who have already returned to the Washington, DC area, including Tom Wilson, John Carlson, Dylan Strome, and Connor McMichael. According to Russian reporting, Ovechkin flew back to North America from Dubai on Sunday after postponing his return trip for two days.
Capitals players did skills work followed by a five-on-five scrimmage, wrapping up the session with skating work. Ovechkin appeared to be in high spirits and excited to be back, faux-operating as a linesman for a faceoff before dropping the puck to himself and trying to score.
Ovechkin, who turns 40 on September 17, is headed into his 21st season with the Capitals and 17th as the team’s captain. The league’s all-time leading goal scorer sits just three goals away from becoming the first NHL player ever to score 900 goals and just nine games played away from 1,500 in his career.
The 2025-26 campaign is the final year of his contract, and he has said he will likely play out the year before deciding on his future with the club.
Last season, Ovechkin recorded 73 points (44g, 29a) in 65 games for the Capitals, finishing behind only Dylan Strome (82) on the team in overall scoring. He finished third in the NHL in goal scoring with his 44 markers despite breaking his leg and missing 16 games.
The Capitals announced last week that the club’s 2025 Training Camp will begin on Thursday, September 18.
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