Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (Russian: Александр Михайлович Овечкин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr ɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn]; born 17 September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Often known as "Ovi" (alternately spelled "Ovie") and "the Great Eight", Ovechkin is widely considered to be one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.
