Ovechkin Turns His Final Season Into a Mission Bigger Than Hockey With New Community Campaign

Alex Ovechkin has spent two decades making history in Washington. Now, as he approaches the final chapter of his NHL career, the Capitals captain is making sure his legacy reaches well beyond the record books.

The Washington Capitals and Ovechkin have launched a monthly community campaign that will see the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer introduce a new local initiative on the eighth of every month throughout his final season.

The first effort, The GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer, is particularly close to Ovechkin’s heart. Launched in partnership with the Capitals, Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the campaign raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer research.

Ovechkin pledged to donate for every goal scored beginning with his 885th career goal, with Monumental Sports & Entertainment matching his contributions. Now at 930 career goals, Ovechkin has helped the campaign generate more than $276,000.

The fundraising effort will establish the Alex Ovechkin GR8 Chase Pediatric Cancer Research Grant through the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer. Its first contribution will be a $200,000 grant to Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, supporting research into new treatments for children battling cancer.

On Nov. 30, Ovechkin will visit the center for a research lab tour before meeting with pediatric patients and their families at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, where he will present the grant check.

His connection to the hospital’s young patients stretches back years. Ovechkin brought the Stanley Cup to its pediatric oncology clinic in 2018, introduced his Ovi O’s cereal alongside children in 2019 and has continued making visits during holidays and the Capitals’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer campaign.

For Ovechkin, the new initiative is another opportunity to turn his platform into something tangible.

Fans can contribute to the campaign at v.org/GR8Chase. Every dollar donated directly supports pediatric cancer research.