# Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (Russian: Александр Михайлович Овечкин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr ɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn]; born 17 September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Often referred to as "Ovi" or "the Great Eight", Ovechkin is widely regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.Ovechkin began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague, playing there for four seasons from 2001 until 2005 and returning briefly during the 2012–13 NHL lockout. A highly touted prospect, Ovechkin was selected by the Capitals first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.