Alex Ovechkin’s Wife Reveals Retirement Timeline and NHL Exit Plan originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After weeks of speculation sparked by a Washington Capitals email and vague public comments, Alex Ovechkin’s wife has clarified the family’s plans.
Anastasia Ovechkina confirmed in an interview with aif.ru that the 2025–26 season will be her husband’s last in the NHL, and that the family will return to Russia once the season ends.
“Alexander still has a contract for a year,” Anastasia said. “So we will play the next season, and then fly back to live in Moscow, to our homeland.
“We will stay in Russia, yes.”
Anastasia’s statement comes just days after the Capitals sent an email to a group of season-ticket holders, claiming Ovechkin’s final season was approaching.
#ALLCAPS Alex Ovechkin’s wife Anastasia Shubskaya says in an interview:
“Alexander still has a contract for a year. So we will play the next season, and then fly back to live in Moscow, to our homeland. We will stay in Russia, yes.”Source: https://t.co/1AWe5uoMZo
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) May 30, 2025
The team’s PR staff called it an error and insisted no decision had been made. But Anastasia’s remarks now seem to confirm that the 39-year-old forward will retire from the NHL at the end of next season.
Anastasia also reflected on the stress of Ovechkin chasing down Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. He surpassed the mark in April and finished the season with 897 total goals through 20 NHL seasons.
“He didn’t show it, but I understood how hard it was for him,” Anastasia said. “He has his last season next year. And I want him to simply enjoy what he loves, to simply enjoy this last season.”
Ovechkin has remained less direct. Speaking at the Capitals’ end-of-season media day, he joked about having to make the roster first, as he will be playing at age 40.
“Be honest with you, I haven’t thought about it yet, but we’ll see what’s going to happen,” Ovechkin said. “For me, it’s first of all to make a roster when 40 years old.”
Ovechkin is under contract through 2025-26 and will become extension-eligible on July 1. He has previously stated his interest in returning to Dynamo Moscow, where he began his pro career, once he leaves the NHL.
Related: Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Makes Final Decision on Early Retirement
Related: Fans Are Confused After Conflicting Reports Emerge on Alex Ovechkin’s Decision on Retirement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
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