The 2025 Mark Messier Leadership Award Is Ovechkin's Most Recent Achievement

Annually, Mark Messier solicits suggestions from around the NHL, asking teams and NHL personnel to compile a list of candidates who are most deserving of the award.

When you think of leadership, Alex Ovechkin quickly comes to mind. On the ice, Ovi has performed exemplary feats for 20 years, sixteen of those as Captain of the Washington Capitals, tied for the longest tenure in the NHL.

To put Ovechkin's accomplishments into context, simply look to some of his stats. He surpassed Wayne Gretzky, who held the all-time goals record for 31 years, by scoring 897 goals.

Ovechkin, in 2024-2025, led the Capitals to second overall in the NHL, and first in the Eastern Conference, the first time since 2016-2017 they did so.

At 39 years old, Ovechkin scored 44 goals in 65 games. Only one other player in NHL history has scored as many goals in a season at the age of 39, or older: Gordie Howe, who scored 44 goals at the age of 40.

Ovechkin's 2024-2025 season saw him pass Jaromir Jagr for most game-winning goals, and extend his own marks for career 40-goals, 30-goals, powerplay goals and overtime goals.

Ovi also tied Phil Esposito for 5th-most hat tricks in NHL history, and moved into 11th place in NHL history for career points.

Off the ice, the 2004 1st overall pick built quite the legacy. Since 2005-2006, there has been major youth growth in the Potomac Valley (Washington D.C, Maryland and Virginia).

Also, in the past 20 years, the number of hockey players has increased in the Potomac area by 71%, totaling more than 20k, while more than 9k players were introduced to hockey since the Caps launched their Future Caps 'Learn To Play' program in 2016.

Alex Ovechkin's impact on and off the ice has been significant.
Congrats to one of hockey's Greats.