Alex Ovechkin confirmed his retirement plan in a recent interview

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William Austin
July 28, 2024 (10:31)

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Alexander Ovechkin, arguably the greatest goal scorer in NHL history, is only a few goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. Despite the ticking clock, Ovechkin remains focused on enjoying the game and has no immediate plans for retirement.

In a recent interview, https://www.canucksdaily.com/nhl-team/washington-capitals/alexander-ovechkin-confirms-his-retirement-plan-he-leaving-north-america addressed questions about his future, emphasizing that his love for hockey drives his decision to continue playing. He mentioned that if the enjoyment ever waned, he would consider retiring, regardless of how close he is to Gretzky's record. Currently, Ovechkin is just 41 goals away from tying the record, and his primary focus is on the present and his passion for the sport.

"As long as I enjoy [playing], as long as I get a thrill out of it, there's no point in finishing," Ovechkin said in an interview transcribed by sports.ru and translated by Google Translate. He elaborated on the challenges of returning from vacation, where he partakes in activities like volleyball and casual gym sessions, to the rigorous training required for hockey. "The hardest period is after vacation. You've played volleyball, gone to the gym for fun, and when you come out [from vacation], you need to run cross-country, lift heavy weights, go on a diet. And then you think: 'Why do I need this, I have everything, I have enough of everything.' But after three to four days of suffering like that, you get into a routine and realize you still love this business. If I didn't love it, I would have finished already."

Ovechkin also revealed his plans to return to Russia upon retirement, expressing no intention of staying in North America. He spoke about his strong connection to his homeland, where his friends, relatives, and his wife Nastya's family reside. He noted that despite his strong bond with the Washington community and the broader hockey world, he misses home and looks forward to returning to Russia when the time comes.

"In Russia, all my friends, relatives, Nastya's relatives are here too," Ovechkin said. "I feel more comfortable in Russia at the moment than there. [When] our season is ending, and we want to fly home right away because we miss home, our family, our friends."

For now, fans can continue to enjoy watching Ovechkin pursue Gretzky's legendary goal tally and appreciate the dedication and passion he brings to the game.

Source: Russian Machine Never Breaks
https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2024/07/26/alex-ovechkin-retirement-post-hockey-career-capitals-russia/