Who Drafted Alex Ovechkin?

Alexander Mikhail Ovechkin is a Russian ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals as of May 2025. He is the first overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He debuted in the 2005-06 season, scoring 52 goals and 54 assists, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year.

Ovechkin played for Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Superleague, starting at age 16. In four seasons there, he totaled 36 goals and 33 assists in 151 games. Ovechkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP in 2008, 2009, and 2013. He also won the Lester B. Pearson/Ted Lindsay Award in 2008, 2009, and 2020. He led the Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. As of May 2025, he holds the NHL record for most goals scored with one team (Washington Capitals).

Who did Ovechkin get drafted by?

Alex Ovechkin was drafted by the Washington Capitals, as per the official website of the NHL. He was selected first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 26, 2004, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Capitals earned the first pick after winning the draft lottery on April 6, 2004.

In 2003, Florida Panthers owner Alan Cohen wanted to draft Alex Ovechkin a year early. Ovechkin was born on September 17, 1985—two days past the draft cutoff date. Cohen noticed that counting leap years made Ovechkin technically 18 earlier, so he pushed GM Rick Dudley to try drafting him. Dudley approached the NHL Central Registry multiple times. The NHL denied the request each time and threatened sanctions. The Panthers officially tried to draft him once — in the ninth round — and were denied. The league turned off the Panthers’ microphone and blocked the attempt. Florida instead drafted Tanner Glass at that spot. Ovechkin entered the 2004 Draft and was picked No. 1 by the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin later called the effort “impressive,” as per The Athletic.

Read More: What NHL record did Ovechkin break?

Alex Ovechkin's previous team

Before joining the Capitals, Ovechkin played for Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Super League from 2001 to 2005. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he stayed with Dynamo and helped them win the RSL title. Ovechkin then signed with the Washington Capitals in August 2005 after opting out of a contract with Avangard Omsk, marking his entry into the NHL.

Read More: Alex Ovechkin NHL Championships