Alexander Ovechkin (born September 17, 1985 in Moscow, USSR) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger for the Washington Capitals of the NHL. He is the highest paid NHL player ever, signing a 13-year contract extension worth $124 million with the Capitals, the richest in NHL history. He was the first overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout, he began play in the 2005-06 NHL season.

 

During the 2007-08 season, he led the NHL with 65 goals and 112 points to capture the Richard and Art Ross Trophies. That season he also won the Lester B. Pearson Award as the top player voted by the NHLPA and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP.