Ovechkin Set To Return To D.C. In Coming Weeks For 21st Season With Capitals

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will fly back to D.C. from Russia in preparation for his 21st NHL season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is set to return to the United States in the coming weeks for his 21st NHL season.

Per RIA Novosti, Ovechkin will return to the U.S. from Russia in early September to take part in informal skates and prepare for training camp, which kicks off later that month.

Ovechkin is coming off a historic year where he passed Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s all-time goals record with 44 goals in 65 games, overcoming a broken leg and maintaining consistency to accomplish the feat. He also finished third in the league in goals.

This marks the final year of Ovechkin’s contract, though the 39-year-old hasn’t decided whether or not it will mark the end of his NHL career. He hasn’t ruled out extending with D.C. beyond this season.

“We’ll see (about next year),” Ovechkin told Mash on Sport at his annual Ovi Cup tournament this past week, adding, “The goal for the season is to play well and try to win the Stanley Cup.”