Ovechkin Speaks On Playing Career & Future: 'I Didn't Love It, I Would've Quit... I'm Taking It Step By Step'

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has said it before: he loves the game of hockey, and as long as he does, he'll continue to take the ice.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke — Imagn Images

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has said it before: he loves the game of hockey, and as long as he does, he'll continue to take the ice.

That remains the case, as he said it again during a "Corporation of Good" charity presentation.

"It's inspiring that I have a family, children and friends who support what I do, and I love what I do. If I didn't love it, I would've quit long ago and been enjoying life," Ovechkin said, per TASS.

Ovechkin is going into his 21st NHL season and coming off the most monumental campaign of his career, where he overcame a broken fibula to score 44 goals and overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer.

"My wife and children helped me a lot (after the injury), especially my wife," Ovechkin said. "I was determined to return, but in a different situation, it would've been difficult for me to come back."

Ovechkin is entering the final year of the five-year extension he signed in 2021, and from there, his future remains in flux as he ponders what to do next. He hasn't made any decision regarding whether or not he'll continue playing, and for now, he's taking things one day at a time.

"My future career? I'll be 40 in September," Ovechkin said. "I'm taking it step by step, living in the present,” he added.

Category: General Sports