Need to Know:
If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind about how dominant a player Alex Ovechkin is, his play in 2009-10 is quickly converting the non-believers. His ability to take over a game with his offensive outbursts and physical play are becoming legendary. He is one of those special athletes that can explode at any moment and always has the fans on the edge of their seats. The consensus first-overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Alex sharpened his skills in his native Russia playing with Dynamo Moscow in 2004-05. He represented Russia at World Junior, Worlds, and World Cup of Hockey tournaments, and was arguably Russia’s best player in the 2006 Olympics in Torino. At the end of the 2005-06 season, he scooped the Calder Trophy from one of the best rookie classes in NHL history which included Sidney Crosby, Dion Phaneuf and others. Since that time, Alex has become arguably the best player in the world. His pure skill, physical style and outright enthusiasm for the game are a few of the things that draws fans to him. He is a perennial threat to win the scoring crown and with the Capitals building a solid team around him, he is sure to compete for several championships in his career.

Recently:
On Sunday, in front of a packed Verizon Center and a national TV audience, Alex lead the Capitals back from three goals down, scoring a hat-trick and then assisting on the game-winner in a 5-4 overtime win over the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

Did You Know:
Alex will head to Vancouver next week looking to become the second athlete in his family to win an Olympic Gold Medal on Canadian soil. His mother Tatyana achieved the feat playing for the Soviet basketball team in Montreal in 1976.

NHLPA.com Bio:
Alexander Ovechkin was drafted first-overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. After another year in the Russian Superleague, he signed with the Capitals and made his debut with the team on October 5, 2005. He scored two goals that night, leading the team to a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. On January 16, 2006 he scored what became known as “The Goal” of the season, while rolling on his back against the Coyotes. His amazing goal total of 52 helped him earn the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. In his second season, he had a balanced 46 goals and 46 helpers, although the Capitals missed the playoffs. Alex led the Capitals to the playoffs in 2007-08, posting an amazing 112 points in 82 regular season games. After an early playoff exit, he joined Russia at the IIHF World Championship and helped them to a Gold medal. He won the Hart Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award in June to go along with his point and goal-scoring titles from the regular season. Alex was once again a dominant force in 2008-09, posting 56 goals and 54 assists for 110 points in 79 games played. In the playoffs, even though his Capitals were ousted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex still managed to finish in fifth place in playoff scoring 21 points and was tied for fourth with 11 goals. Alex is on another blistering point pace in 2009-10, with 42 goals and 44 assists in 51 games so far this season.