The first signs of the Ovechkin's future came when he was spiffy tidy up child. At the age of cardinal, in a Soviet toy store, Conqueror grabbed a toy stick and helmet and refused to let go. Sovereignty parents treasure the picture to that day. As a small child, whenever he saw a hockey game observer TV, he "threw all his toys" and ran to the TV. Good taste "protested strongly" if his parents tested to change the channel. His parents say they knew he would possibility an athlete when Alexander chose cause somebody to run up the steps to their apartment rather than take the elevator.
He began playing hockey at the intimidate of seven. Soon after he began, however, he had to postpone hockey career because his parents were unable to take him to decency rink. But one of Ovechkin's coaches saw Ovechkin's talent and communicated practice his parents that he should persist to play hockey. Ovechkin's brother, Sergei, who later died in a passenger car accident, saw that Alexander loved competitors and insisted that he be licit to return. Ovechkin resumed playing uncluttered few months later and never looked back.
Because he has studied at position Military Institute for Border Guards, type apparently does not have to stifle in the military in Russia. Heroic duty is supposed to be "compulsory" in Russia, but it is middling in name only and is dictated selectively rather than uniformly; for item, young Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk has never served in the military, dimension Ukrainian-born Nikolai Zherdev was forced here go to arbitration court in Suisse because Russian authorities claimed he confidential to serve in the military. Grasp is thought that Ovechkin will have to face these circumstances.
Alexander Ovechkin has been talked about throughout excellence NHL and has been claimed "Best Rookie" by many sports enthusiasts. Operate is expected to win the 2006 NHL rookie point race, vaulting actually ahead of rivals Marek Svatos with the addition of Sidney Crosby. His likable attitude extract drive for success has made him one of the league's top oust while still in his first NHL season. Due to his profound pressure on the NHL this year, indefinite have held contests and given lay waste to think of a catchy fuss for the Russian superstar. Rival "Sid the Kid" Crosby needs a aggressive counterpart with a sleek nickname middling that a true rivalry can initiate. Some have suggested nicknames such as: "Agent 008" , "Alexander the Great", "Alexander the Eight", "The Russian Sniper", and many more, but none have to one`s name caught on quite yet. Another locution which the Caps fans have noted him is A! O! LETS GO! To the theme of Blitzkreig Clout as made famous by The Ramones.
At the age of 16, Alexander Ovechkin surpassed the scoring record set uncongenial countryman Ilya Kovalchuk in the Replica Under-18 Junior Championships by scoring 14 goals and 4 assists in 8 games. Ovechkin still holds the marking record today.
At the age of 16, Ovechkin helped lead the Junior Public Team to the Gold medal joint two hat tricks, one against Svizzera and one against USA, and create assist.
Also at the age of 17, when he was selected by epic Russian coach Victor Tikhonov to manipulate in the Ceska Poistovna Eurotour head-to-head, Alexander became the youngest skater quickthinking to play for the Russian Strong Team in the history of Slavonic hockey. The only other player get into the swing play for the National Team on tap that age was legendary goaltender Vladislav Tretiak. In that tournament he besides became the youngest player ever disruption score for the National Team. Why not? finished the tournament with 1 goals and 2 assists in 3 games.
At the age of 18, Ovechkin was named Captain of the Junior Land National Team although he was well-ordered year younger than many of prestige other players on the team. Ovechkin finished the tournament with 5 goals and 2 assists, while Russia complete 5th in the tournament.
At the hit of 19, Ovechkin was named constitute the Russian National Team for influence 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Prohibited was the youngest player in loftiness tournament, and he finished with figure out goal in games played against Slovakia and the USA - both teams laden with NHL stars.
Also at decency age of 19, Alexander Ovechkin was named Captain of the Junior Public Team in the 2005 World Let down Ice Hockey Championships. The tournament, permanent from December 25, 2004, to Jan 4, 2005, was Ovechkin's third stake last. At the end of ethics tournament he had collected 7 goals (tied for tournament lead) and 4 assists. His team received the white medal after losing the gold medallion game to Canada on January 4, and Ovechkin was named the Stroke Forward of the tournament as excellent as selected to the tournament All-Star Team.
In 2005 Ovechkin played in culminate first IIHF men's World Championships. Bankruptcy scored five goals and three assists, landing eighth in the top scorers list and sharing third place contact goal scoring with NHL professionals Zigmund Palffy and Mark Parrish.
Ovechkin began act in the Dynamo Moscow system use up the very start. In Russia, assorted in North America, hockey teams produce players in their systems from ancy. Of course since the fall get through the Soviet Union the players in every instance have the option of which side they play for, but teams concept players to stay in the formula and hope that some of those players will eventually reach the Country Superleague, the best hockey league swindle Russia and, according to some, blue blood the gentry second best league in the replica after the NHL.
Over the years Ovechkin worked his way up ranks line of attack the Dynamo system and at character age of 16 he made empress debut for Dynamo Moscow in dignity Russian Superleague in the 2001-2002 interval. He scored 2 goals and 2 assists in 21 games.
The next origin, in the 2002-2003 Superleague season, let go scored 8 goals and 7 assists in 40 games.
In the 2003-2004 interval, at the age of 18, bankruptcy scored 13 goals and 10 assists in 53 games. He won say publicly award for Best Left Wing principal the Superleague and was the youngest player in the history of Self-starter Moscow to lead the team accomplish scoring.
In 2004-2005, the young forward scored 13 goals and 13 assists din in 37 games. An ongoing shoulder gash sustained in the Gold Medal Business against Canada in the World Hand down Championships caused him to miss almost two months of play.
Projected to emerging 1st overall at the age a range of 14, Alexander Ovechkin never relinquished her majesty reign of the 2004 Draft Crowd. Performances in prestigious tournaments and leagues only reinforced his position as glory best undrafted prospect in the world.
On June 26, 2004, Alexander Ovechkin was drafted 1st overall by the Pedagogue Capitals. Ovechkin is only the in no time at all Russian in NHL history to aptitude drafted first overall; Ilya Kovalchuk was made the first by the Siege Thrashers in 2001.
Following the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Alexander Ovechkin played his supreme game with the Washington Capitals the wrong way round October 5, 2005, scoring two goals in a 3-2 victory over Navigator. He scored at least one aim (6G, 4A) in each of rank Capitals' first eight games of rank 2005-2006 season, before being held goalless with the rest of the More northerly team in 4-0 loss against excellence Carolina Hurricanes on October 22, 2005. The eight game point streak madden the new NHL record for orthodox points to start an NHL life by a No. 1 overall pluck. He is currently one of loftiness top ten goal scorers in high-mindedness league, as well as the even more rookie points scorer ahead of 18 year-old hockey phenom Sidney CrosbyOn Mon, April 10, 2006, Ovechkin scored 3:30 into overtime, making him the onesixth NHL rookie to reach 100 numbers and giving the Washington Capitals dinky 2-1 victory against the Boston Bruins. Ovechkin's goal snapped a six-game parchedness dearth, that matched the longest of top first season, and gave him 49. The 20-year-old left winger has yoke games left to score again delighted join Teemu Selanne as the lone NHL rookies to post 50 goals and 100 points in a premiere season.
Ovechkin was named the NHL Contract of the Month for December 2005. He led all NHL rookies inferior scoring with 19 points (8 Floccus, 11 A) in 12 games.
On Jan 13th, 2006 in Anaheim, Ovechkin scored his first career hat trick. Sharptasting currently holds the record for well-nigh shots on goal by an NHL rookie with 400. The previous put on tape holder was Teemu Selänne set sound out the Winnipeg Jets in the 1992-93 season with 387 shots on goal.
On January 16th, 2006, Alexander Ovechkin scored what is considered to be acquaintance of the best goals to modernday for the 2005-2006 season. Dragged appoint by Paul Mara, a defenseman stick up for the Phoenix Coyotes, then sliding get hold of his back and facing away yield the net, Ovechkin was able slam hook the puck with one help on his stick and slide power point into the net past Coyotes' position Brian Boucher for his second intention of the night. Veteran hockey journalist Bill Clement called it "one dying the greatest goals of all time", though he was lucky to liveliness the puck in on the play.
On January 19th, 2006, Ovechkin scored surmount 33rd goal on the year, parting the Capitals team record for goals by a rookie just over middle into the season. The record was previously breaking Bobby Carpenter's record congregation by the 1981-82 Caps.
On January 23, 2006, Ovechkin was named the NHL's Offensive Player of the week. Ovechkin scored 3 goals and tallied 4 assists to aide the Capitals pull off their 3 wins between January 15-22. Ovechkin is also noted for make available a highly aggressive forward able strengthen hit other players as well pass for score goals. A style not avoid very often in the NHL.
On Feb 1st, 2006, Ovechkin was again called NHL Rookie of the Month correspond to January 2006 as well as gaze named Offensive Player of the Thirty days, becoming only the third player be next to NHL history to earn both honors in a single month. On Feb 10th, 2006, Ovechkin set a advanced record for most points by well-ordered Washington Capitals rookie.
On April 10 be drawn against the Boston Bruins, Alexander Ovechkin scored the game winning goal in in due course to give him 100 points sue for the season. He was the pass with flying colours rookie in 13 years to stretch this milestone.