Alex Ovechkin To Retire From NHL After 2026-27 Season
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has announced that the 2026-27 NHL season will be his final year in professional hockey. The legendary forward expressed his desire to finish his career with the franchise where he has spent two decades.
Why it matters
Ovechkin is one of the most significant figures in NHL history, and his retirement marks the end of a major era for the sport.
Legendary Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin announced today that the 2026-27 season will be his last in the NHL.
Ovechkin was previously reported to be considering retirement this past summer, but elected to return to Washington. Now, there is no more mystery about when Ovechkin will bring an end to his career at the game’s highest level.
As part of this announcement, Ovechkin issued a statement to the public, which reads:
My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL. I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision.
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