Sacrifices That Defined Ovechkin’s Record-Breaking Performance
Alexander Ovechkin during a 2020 game between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. Photo by All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
Written by Gina Anton
Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian legend and the NHL’s highest goal scorer, recently surpassed the previously unbreakable record set by the greatest of all time, Wayne Gretzky. His journey, however, has not always been smooth sailing. While records are often celebrated with fame and highlights of past achievements, there is far less focus on the struggles and sacrifices he made to reach this milestone. Here are a few key moments that shaped his path to greatness.
Ovechkin’s Move to America
In 2005, Ovechkin arrived in Washington, D.C., eager to prove to the Capitals that he was worth the No. 1 overall selection in the NHL Draft the previous year. According to Ovechkin, it was extremely challenging to grasp the language and adjust to a new city at just 19 years old. The language barrier made it difficult to find things to do and feel comfortable in his new environment.
Ovechkin, now 33, reflected, “I didn’t do anything. It was a hard time for me. Nobody said it would be easy coming over here — you have to earn respect from the players, the fans, and the city.”
Before making the move, he tried to learn English by watching movies, but he quickly realized how different it is to be fully immersed in a new culture. Fortunately, he found support among his teammates. Like many kids around the world, Ovechkin had a strong desire to play in the NHL. With this dream driving him, it motivated him to work harder.
“When I was a little guy, my dream was to come here and play in the NHL,” Ovechkin said. “When you come here, you never know how good you’re going to be or if you can play here. It was a big challenge for me.”
Missed Games
Sometimes missing games is beyond a player’s control. Over his career, Ovechkin has missed a total of 76 regular-season games as of April 2025, due to injury, disciplinary reasons, personal matters, and COVID. While he had a strong start, missing very few games in his first 19 seasons, recent years have seen him miss a significant number of games.
During the 2024-2025 season, he was sidelined for 16 games due to a broken leg — his longest injury layoff ever. After the injury, he was seen wearing a walking boot, and the Capitals later confirmed it was a fibula fracture. Despite this setback in November, Ovechkin went on to break Gretzky’s record in April of the same season.
Training and Lifestyle
During the off-season, Ovechkin trains in Russia with coaches, focusing mainly on circuit training. Earlier in his career, this included working out in classic “old-school Soviet workout facilities.” As his career progressed, he adapted his training regimen to emphasize speed and agility. He specifically trains with his personal trainer Pavel Burlachenko, who Ovechkin mentioned in a video showcasing his intense training routine.
Throughout his career, Ovechkin has trained year-round, rarely taking time off. His diet, different from many other players, includes a game-day ritual of eating a large plate of chicken parmesan—a habit he has maintained for years. It’s also noted that he drinks Diet Pepsi on the bench, a choice that has drawn some criticism, yet hasn’t affected his performance at the highest level.
Igor Larionov was another significant influence early in Ovechkin’s career, mentoring and training him to become the best player possible. Larionov’s impact on Ovechkin was profound and enduring.
Overall, Ovechkin has experienced many ups and downs but has maintained unwavering focus throughout his career. His dedication and resilience have made him the NHL’s leading goal scorer, setting records that are likely to remain unbroken for years to come.
