Who Drafted Alex Ovechkin?

Alexander Mikhail Ovechkin is a Russian ice hockey player who as of 2024, plays for the Washington Capitals. He was selected by the Washington Capitals as the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry draft. He debuted in the 2005-2006 season and scored 52 goals and 54 assists. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year for his contribution. Ovechkin played in the Russian Superleague with the Dynamo Moscow at the age of 16. He debuted there in the 2001-2002 season and contributed four points in 21 games. In his four seasons there, he collected 36 goals and 33 assists in 151 career games.

Ovechkin has won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times for being the Most Valuable Player in 2008, 2009, and 2013. Ovechkin won the Lester B. Pearson Award/Ted Lindsay Award, given to the best player, three times in 2008, 2009, and 2020. One of his greatest achievements with the Capitals was the Stanley Cup in 2018 where he led the team to claim this prestigious trophy. Ovechkin earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the outstanding player in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Who did Ovechkin get drafted by?

Alex Ovechkin was drafted by the Washington Capitals as the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.

Before the draft, there was an interesting story involving the Florida Panthers. According to the Post-Gazette, they owned the first overall pick and had a plan to draft Ovechkin a year earlier, believing he was eligible due to a technicality in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, the NHL made it clear that Ovechkin would not be allowed to be drafted that year. Despite their attempts, including trying to select him in later rounds, the Panthers were unsuccessful. Ultimately, Ovechkin was picked by the Capitals and went on to become one of the greatest players in NHL history.

Has Ovechkin played with the Florida Panthers?

Alex Ovechkin has not played with the Florida Panthers. He has spent his entire NHL career with the Washington Capitals since being drafted by them first overall in 2004.

Alex Ovechkin nearly became a Florida Panther in a unique draft attempt in 2003. He missed the NHL draft eligibility cutoff by just two days. The Panthers' owner at the time, Alan Cohen, noticed that with leap years, Ovechkin technically would have been 18 by the draft and tried to make him eligible. General Manager Rick Dudley made multiple attempts to draft Ovechkin in the later rounds, but the NHL denied each effort, even threatening to penalize the Panthers. Eventually, Ovechkin was selected first overall by the Washington Capitals in 2004.

What is Alex Ovechkin's current team?

As of December 2024, Alex Ovechkin plays for the Washington Capitals in the NHL. He has been with the Capitals since his debut in the 2005-2006 season. Ovechkin has set numerous records with the Washington Capitals throughout his career. He is the franchise leader in goals, with 853, and points, having scored over 1,400. Ovechkin holds the NHL record for the most power-play goals with 312 and has the most game-winning goals in Capitals history. He also leads the team in shots on goal and has recorded nine 50-goal seasons, tied for the most in NHL history.

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