Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, hoists the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Thursday, June 7 ...

Cooley admired Crosby, but he grew up a Washington Capitals fan for a very specific reason: Alex Ovechkin. "That's the real one," said Cooley, who's now playing for the Utah Hockey Club.

Cooley admired Crosby, but he grew up a Washington Capitals fan for a very specific reason: Alex Ovechkin. “That's the real one,” said Cooley, who's now playing for the Utah Hockey Club.

Cooley admired Crosby, but he grew up a Washington Capitals fan for a very specific reason: Alex Ovechkin. “That's the real one,” said Cooley, who's now playing for the Utah Hockey Club.

As Alex Ovechkin's first coach with the Washington Capitals, Hanlon also played a role in the NHL origin story of the goal-scoring monster who is closing in on breaking Gretzky's League record.

FILE - Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Nov. 6, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick ...

PHILADELPHIA -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 879th career goal to move within 16 of breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL goals record and the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 on Thursday ...

PHILADELPHIA — When Russian players with a heavy dose of offensive skill enter the NHL, there’s an inclination to compare them to Alex Ovechkin. In the fall, when Ovechkin and the Washington ...