Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has spent most of his NHL career on the opposite side of one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries.
The Capitals superstar became forever linked with Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby after both entered the league as back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in 2004 and 2005, with their teams meeting repeatedly in many Eastern Conference playoff series over the years.
During an appearance with former NHL forward Nikita Filatov and former soccer star Andrey Arshavin on FONBET’s YouTube show, Ovechkin was asked to name his favorite hockey player ever.
Given the history between Ovechkin and the Penguins, the Capitals forward's latest answer was particularly surprising, especially considering the number of Russian legends and childhood influences he could have selected instead.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
“Mario Lemieux,” Ovechkin replied.
Lemieux spent his entire NHL career, spanning from the 1984-85 through the 2005-06 season, with Pittsburgh and later helped save the franchise from bankruptcy as its owner. He remains involved with the Penguins as a minority owner and team ambassador.
Back in 2023, per Russian Machine Never Breaks, Ovechkin named former San Jose Sharks forward Owen Nolan as a favorite player from his childhood, when he supported San Jose. However, he has also referred to Lemieux as one of his idols.
Ovechkin and Lemieux shared the ice only once, during Ovechkin’s rookie 2005-06 season, in a Nov. 22 game the Penguins won 5-4 over the Capitals. Lemieux later gave the Capitals forward a game-used stick from that matchup.
Lemieux retired midway through the 2006 season, shortly after Ovechkin began his career in Washington. The Penguins legend finished his career with 690 goals and 1,723 points in 915 regular-season games, won two Stanley Cups as a player, and captured three Hart Trophies.
Ovechkin, meanwhile, has since surpassed Lemieux and every other player in career goals, reaching 929 entering his 22nd NHL season and posting 1,687 points through the 2026 campaign.
