Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin got some more ice time in ahead of the 2024-25 NHL campaign, as he played in a gala match as part of his "Ovi Cup" tournament over in Russia. Ovechkin skated alongside his son, Sergei, and other NHL stars like Evgeni Malkin, Kirill Kaprizov and more, on Saturday while facing off against Ilya Kovalchuk and KHL stars in a friendly. The final score of the game was 6-6, with Sergei, who was donning number eight and yellow-laced skates like his dad, scoring on a breakaway. Ovechkin said he's enjoyed watching his son pick up the game and that he practices six times a week, twice with his team and four times individually. "We'll work, I think he's improved a little bit this year," Ovechkin told MatchTV [https://matchtv.ru/hockey/matchtvnews_NI2091431_Ovechkin_rasskazal_o_perspektivah_syna_Sergeja_v_khokkeje], per a DeepL translation. Ovi Jr (Nastya Ovechkina/Instagram) The Ovi Cup is an annual youth tournament in Moscow. Ovechkin is also planning on opening the Alexander Ovechkin Academy in 2026, per Championat [https://www.championat.ru/hockey/news-5663754-ovechkin-rasskazal-kakie-presleduet-celi-sozdavaya-hokkejnuyu-akademiyu-ego-imeni-v-moskve.html]. "We want to make it the best academy," Ovechkin said. "We will do our best... there are head coaches and team coaches who will bring up kids so that they will come to other clubs and get an opportunity to play in the KHL or even the NHL." The 38-year-old, meanwhile, is entering his 20th NHL season, and with two years left on his contract with the Capitals, is looking to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record. He currently sits at 853 goals, putting him 42 goals away from passing No. 99. Ovechkin is expected to return to D.C. ahead of training camp in September. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- READ MORE ON THE HOCKEY NEWS - Spencer Carbery shares take on how Capitals new goaltending tandem will play out this season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-logan-thompson-charlie-lindgren-analysis] - Why a Patrik Laine trade doesn't make sense right now for the Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-patrik-laine-trade-talk-pump-brakes] - Evgeny Kuznetsov opens up about battle with rheumatoid arthritis that led to struggles in final year with Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-evgeny-kuznetsov-health-isuees-player-assistance-program]
