Connor McDavid admits he ‘didn’t love’ Alex Ovechkin growing up

Connor McDavid Recalls Childhood Rivalry With Alex Ovechkin Ahead of Final NHL Season

Connor McDavid admitted he did not always appreciate Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, revealing that he rooted for Sidney Crosby while growing up in Newmarket, Ontario. McDavid’s remarks coincided with Ovechkin’s announcement that this season will be his final year in the NHL, bringing a definitive timeline to the storied career of the league’s all-time top goal scorer.

While McDavid confessed he “didn’t love” Ovechkin as a child, the two superstars have since developed a strong mutual respect. McDavid enters the current season with 1,222 career points across 795 games, sitting behind Ovechkin’s benchmark of 929 goals and 1,688 points in 1,575 games.

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The looming retirement revives memories of the closing stretch of last season, when Washington hosted Pittsburgh in its home finale. As NHL.com reported, Penguins players including Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lingered on the ice after a 3-0 Capitals victory to participate in a traditional handshake line, only for Ovechkin to politely wave them off because his contract status and future remained undecided at the time. With Ovechkin formally confirming that this season marks his final chapter, Crosby noted that the certainty provides a welcome sense of relief for his long-time rival as he takes the ice for the final time.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ovechkin’s Final NHL Season

When did Alex Ovechkin announce his retirement?

Alex Ovechkin announced on Monday that this season would be his last in the NHL.

What milestones does Alex Ovechkin hold heading into his final year?

Ovechkin enters his final NHL season as the league’s all-time top goal scorer with 929 career goals and 1,688 total points across 1,575 games.