Alex Ovechkin was once given a key to the city by former Mayor Adrian Fenty. Now, he’s been given a whole dang day by current Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Bowser issued the official proclamation through the Capitals on social media on Tuesday. “Alex Ovechkin Day” is April 11, 2025 — the same day the Capitals hosted “The GR8 City Celebration” at Capital One Arena.
The honor comes over a week after Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal and passed Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s new goals king on April 6.
The proclamation reads in full:
Proclamation
ALEX OVECHKIN DAY
April 11, 2025WHEREAS, Alex Ovechkin was selected first overall in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, making his debut in the 2005-2006 season, and claiming the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL’s Rookie of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Alex Ovechkin has led the Capitals with distinction as team captain since 2010, and as a guiding presence on the team for two decades now; and
WHEREAS, Alex Ovechkin has contribute to his team’s many successes including 16 playoff appearances and the Capitals’ first Stanley Cup in 2018, and is notably the only player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup, and the Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Hart, Ted Lindsay, and Maurice Richard trophies; and
WHEREAS, known for his fabled speed, powerful snapshot, remarkable endurance, and hat trick-fueled accuracy, it should surprise no one that Alex Ovechkin has been selected to multiple NHL All-Star teams; and
WHEREAS, On April 4, 2025, Alex Ovechkin scored his 893rd and 894th career NHL goals, tying Wayne Gretzky’s record for most career NL goals in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Then, on April 6 in New York, Ovi scored his 895th career NL goal against the Islanders, surpassing Gretzky to become the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL history; and
WHEREAS, today at Capital One Arena, we come together as Washingtonians, as hockey fans, and admirers of the Great 8, to celebrate Ovi on this amazing accomplishment and to thank him for being with the Capitals his entire NHL career and being a vital component to what makes us the District of Champions:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, DC do hereby proclaim April 11, 2025, as “ALEX OVECHKIN DAY” in Washington, DC and do commend this observance to all Washingtonians.
Muriel Bowser
Last week, the DC Council also issued its own proclamation celebrating Ovechkin’s accomplishment, which chairman Phil Mendelson read in part during Friday’s festivities. He was joined on stage by Kenyan McDuffie (at-large councilmember), Charles Allen (Ward 6 councilmember), and Brooke Pinto (Ward 2 councilmember).
“I want to thank all of you for being here, but especially Alexander Ovechkin,” Mendelson said. “And for the incredible athleticism that you bring to this sport. Personally, I love hockey very much. I was here Friday night when you tied the record and that was really a great night. It felt so warm in this stadium, all of the support, but just how great it felt.”
Mendelson then read part of the resolution out-loud as Ovechkin watched and sat below the stage.
“I just want to end by saying, the interplay by professional sports and the city is fascinating to look at because we enjoy the game for the game, the athletics of the game,” he said. “It’s all great as a sport, but it means so much to the city and the interaction. What it does to the psyche. It makes us all feel good. We love it. When the Capitals are winning, we love it. We want to see the Stanley Cup here again this year.”
