Alexander Ovechkin Biography

With his highlight reel goals and on-ice enthusiasm, Alexander Ovechkin has become one of the most exciting and popular players in the NHL. Find out more about this hockey superstar right here.

Alexander Ovechkin Biography - Moscow Magic

Alexander Ovechkin was born in Moscow in 1985. Both of his parents were also star athletes in Russia. His mom played baskeball for the former Soviet Union and won Olympic gold medals in 1976 and 1980, while his dad was a professional soccer player. Alexander started playing ice hockey when he was eight and caught the eye of his coaches, who took note of his quickness on the ice and creative stick handling. He joined Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Super League when he was just 16 and played three seasons with the team before being selected first overall by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Besides being a star in the Russian Super League, Alexander Ovechkin was also a star on the international stage, where he competed in three World Junior Championships and two World Championships.

Alexander Ovechkin Biography - NHL Superstar

In just one season in the NHL, Alexander Ovechkin has become an NHL superstar. He scored two goals in his first game with the Capitals and finished the season with 52 goals and 106 points, more than any other rookie, including the much-hyped Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin also scored the year's most amazing goal - an end to end rush against the Phoenix Coyotes that had fans and players shaking their head in disbelief. (To watch a video of the goal, click here.) What's even more impressive is that Ovechkin has done all this while playing on a team of pretty average players. Besides being a superstar on the ice in the NHL, Ovechkin is also a star in the world of video games, as he's featured on the cover of the EA Sports game, NHL 2007.

Alexander Ovechkin Biography - Did You Know?

During the 2005-2006 NHL season, Alexander Ovechkin set an NHL record for most shots on goal by a rookie, with 425.

Alexander Ovechkin's birthday is September 17th.

Alexander Ovechkin has the nicknames OV-1 and Alexander The Great.

Alexander Ovechkin wears number 8 because that's the number his mom wore when she played basketball for Russia.

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