Alexander Ovechkin announces retirement from NHL after the 2026-27 season
The Washington Capitals star has told teammates his 22nd NHL season will be his last, setting an endpoint for the league's all-time leading goalscorer's career in North America.
By Hushread Stories, written with AI from 8 outlets · First published 5 Oct 2026
In brief
- Alexander Ovechkin announced that the 2026-27 season will be his final season in the NHL.
- The Russian forward told his Washington Capitals teammates that he will retire when the season ends.
- Ovechkin turned 41 in September and is now playing his 22nd season in the NHL.
- He holds the NHL record for regular season goals and led Washington to its first Stanley Cup.
- His NHL departure is confirmed, but whether he will stop playing hockey altogether remains unclear.
Timeline · 1 moments
Ovechkin announces his final NHL season with Washington
CBC Top Stories ↗How it started
Alexander Ovechkin's final NHL season is already under way. L'Équipe reported that the season began a week before the Washington Capitals star announced he would leave the league at its conclusion.
He is retiring as the NHL's all-time leading regular season goalscorer, according to L'Équipe. Guardian Sport also reported that he led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup victory.
How it unfolded
On October 5, Ovechkin announced that this would be his final NHL season, according to ESPN. Guardian Sport reported that it is his 22nd season and that he turned 41 in September.
The decision was shared with his Washington Capitals teammates, CBC Top Stories reported. That places the announcement inside the team as well as before the wider hockey audience.
The October 5 coverage from CBS Sports carried a simple message in its headline: 'Let's have fun.' Its report said Ovechkin plans to hang up his skates once the season reaches its conclusion.
Where it stands
This is an announcement of a departure at the end of the season, not an immediate retirement. CBC Top Stories and CBS Sports both reported that Ovechkin will finish the current NHL season before leaving.
The distinction between leaving the NHL and leaving hockey altogether remains important. DIE WELT reported that it is unclear whether he will stop playing entirely or only end his NHL career.
What to watch
The remaining season will be Ovechkin's last in the NHL under the plan he has announced, according to CBS Sports. The unresolved question is whether he will play elsewhere afterward, something DIE WELT said was not yet clear.
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