Published: June 5, 2025 2:40 pm
Author: RT
The Washington Capitals captain is reportedly planning to move back to Moscow next year
Russian ice hockey legend Alexander Ovechkin visited the Federation Council, the upper house of the national legislature, on Wednesday during a break from the National Hockey League (NHL) season. The Washington Capitals captain, who made history in April by breaking the NHL’s all-time goal record, received a warm welcome from Russian lawmakers.
Video footage released by the Federation Council showed Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko greeting the 39-year-old athlete, along with other officials. Ovechkin presented Matvienko with an autographed Capitals jersey.
Matvienko praised Ovechkin for inspiring younger generations to pursue hockey, commending his dedication to the sport. When asked about the secret to his success, Ovechkin credited hard work.
The Capitals were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs last month following a second-round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Ovechkin’s agent, Gleb Chistyakov, told Russian media the player plans to spend a month abroad following his visit to Moscow.
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL record on April 6 at UBS Arena, where he scored his 895th goal, concluding the season with a career total of 897 goals.
The milestone was met with broad acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the achievement, calling it not only a personal triumph but also Ovechkin’s gift to hockey fans around the world. US President Donald Trump also congratulated the star, describing him as “a great hockey player, a great gentleman.”
Ovechkin’s wife, Anastasia Shubskaya, previously told Russian media that the family plans to return to Moscow after the 2025-26 NHL season, when Ovechkin’s contract with the Capitals is set to expire.
