Bilder des Tages - SPORT Eishockey, WM Spiel um Platz 3, Russland - USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin far bronsmedaljen efter bronsmatchen i Ishockey-VM mellan Ryssland och USA den 22 maj 2016 i Moskva. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright: LUDVIGxTHUNMAN BB160522LT036 Images the Day Sports Ice hockey World Cup Game to square 3 Russia USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin Far efter bronsmatchen I Ishockey VM Periods Ryssland och USA the 22 Maj 2016 I Moskva PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright LUDVIGxTHUNMAN
Bilder des Tages - SPORT Eishockey, WM Spiel um Platz 3, Russland - USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin far bronsmedaljen efter bronsmatchen i Ishockey-VM mellan Ryssland och USA den 22 maj 2016 i Moskva. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright: LUDVIGxTHUNMAN BB160522LT036 Images the Day Sports Ice hockey World Cup Game to square 3 Russia USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin Far efter bronsmatchen I Ishockey VM Periods Ryssland och USA the 22 Maj 2016 I Moskva PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright LUDVIGxTHUNMAN
Before entering his 22nd season with the Washington Capitals, NHL phenom Alex Ovechkin is all geared up for the 2026 Match of the Year in Russia.
On July 25, Ovechkin will take the ice for the annual charity game, pitting Russian and Belarusian NHL and KHL stars. And RMNB writer Chris Cerullo outlined the player draft in his article published on July 17, 2026.
“The marquee summer event held a player draft earlier this week to determine the lineups for the teams of hosts Mikhail Sergachev and Artemi Panarin,” he wrote. “Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals teammate, Aliaksei Protas, both landed on Team Sergachev.”
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin 8 during the third period timeout of the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Thursday, November 6, 2025. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA PIT2025110617 ARCHIExCARPENTER
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin 8 during the third period timeout of the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Thursday, November 6, 2025. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA PIT2025110617 ARCHIExCARPENTER
Per Cerullo, Sergachev’s star-studded roster also included the New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin and the Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko. However, Panarin's team is equally star-studded.
It includes New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov, and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov. Team Sergachev will take the rink in pink-and-purple jerseys, while Team Panarin will wear turquoise and blue.
In last year’s event, Ovechkin was gifted a car for breaking the NHL’s goal record set by Wayne Gretzky and even operated a mounted turret t-shirt cannon. It’ll be thrilling to see how the event goes this year.
But after the charity match, the NHL star will return to DC in full captain mode, as he has a goal to pursue with the Capitals.
From Charity to Championship: Alex Ovechkin's 2026-27 Mission
For the NHL’s all-time goal leader with 929 goals under his name, certainly one Stanley Cup doesn’t cut it. Hence, in a recent interview with Russian media outlet Match TV, the captain expressed the desire to rerun the 2017-18 season, when the Capitals won the Cup.
“A team sport doesn’t depend on just one player, and Washington was a united force in 2018,” Ovechkin said. “I want to win the trophy again… I’m happy with the team as captain; we have a competitive squad. Our goal is the title.”
The Capitals are set to open their season on October 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes before visiting the Tampa Bay Lightning the next day. They’ll host the Pittsburgh Penguins in the home opener on October 7.
In all of them, the team will look to revitalize their 2017-18 glory, led by Ovechkin.
Do you think the captain will be able to fulfil his dream this season? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy