Ovechkin wins Mark Messier Leadership Award

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is the 2025 winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award, the league announced Friday.

The award is given to "the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season, and who plays a leading role in his community, growing the game of hockey."

Mark Messier picks the winner of the award after soliciting suggestions from team and NHL personnel.

Ovechkin has been the captain of the Capitals for 16 seasons. He surpassed Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goals leader in April and finished his 20th season with 897 goals.

The 39-year-old helped Washington to the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51-22-9 record. Ovechkin racked up 44 goals and 73 points in 65 contests this season.

It's the first time Ovechkin has won the award. The honor went to then-New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba last year.