Former Washington Capitals forward Alex Semin was spotted by RMNB’s Katie Adler at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Thursday morning. Semin played seven seasons with the Caps from 2003 through 2012, notching 408 points (197g, 211a) in 469 games. The Capitals were holding their morning skate before playing the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena later tonight.
Semin’s arrival in DC comes after saying in 2022 that he wanted to travel with the Capitals once Alex Ovechkin got close to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record. Ovechkin became the NHL goals king on Sunday after scoring his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders.
“If it happens, I will definitely be there,” Semin said then. “When there is a goal or two left before the record, I will live in America. I will go to Washington. I think a whole delegation will ride behind Ovechkin. It’s still far from that, but god hoping that it will come true.”
While Sasha Minor did not appear to be at UBS Arena on Sunday, he did record a video message for Ovechkin congratulating his former teammate on the record.
“Congratulations on the incredible record,” Semin said in part. “Don’t stop there, we expect 900 goals from you. That’s the minimum. Good luck in the playoffs.”
The Capitals are holding a pregame ceremony to honor Ovechkin (entitled the “Gr8ness Pre-game Ceremony”) before taking on the Hurricanes.
An appearance by Semin at Capital One Arena tonight would mark his first since going to a Capitals-Penguins game on January 26, 2023.
Semin owns the distinction of being the only player other than Ovechkin himself to score 40 goals during the Ovi Era in DC. He also assisted on 45 of Ovechkin’s 895 career goals — ninth most of any Capital.
The two were good friends during their playing days together and remained close after Semin departed the team. Semin attended Ovechkin’s wedding. The two recently played on the same line together during Danis Zaripov’s retirement game in 2023.
