Ovechkin Announces Final Season; Youth Hockey Registrations Up 73% in 'Ovechkin Effect'
Alex Ovechkin announced on Monday that this season will be the last of his storied NHL career — closing the book on a tenure that transformed youth hockey across the Washington region, NHL.com reported on October 5.
The "Ovechkin Effect" is measurable: USA Hockey registrations in the Potomac Valley district grew from 12,856 in the 2005-06 season — Ovechkin's rookie year — to 22,222 last season, a 73% increase. Multiple new and renovated ice rinks have opened across the greater Washington area during his career.
Off the ice, Ovechkin has skated with children with special needs at the American Special Hockey Association clinic every year since 2014.
The Capitals captain's announcement sets up a farewell tour across the league in his final season, with tributes expected in every NHL arena.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 华盛顿第一资本球馆外观，图片来源：Wikimedia Commons（CC BY 2.0）
