Everything Alex Ovechkin does during the 2025-26 NHL season could be the last of his illustrious career in North America, but the Washington Capitals captain told Russian magazine “Psychologies” he’s not dwelling on the potential finality of the moment.

“I understand that hockey is not forever but I’m not thinking about it now,” he said in an interview published Friday, via a Google Translation of Peterburg2.

Whenever he does decide to hang up his skates, which Ovechkin has publicly stated he’ll consider after the upcoming season, he plans to return to Moscow to open a sports academy and memorabilia museum. He told “Psychologies” his post-playing goal is to give back to the youth of his home country.

“I want to pass on my experience to young people and inspire them to play sports,” Ovechkin said.

The soon-to-be 40 year old has already gotten a head start on influencing the next generation, literally, by teaching his two sons everything he knows about hockey. Though he noted if either of Sergei, 7, and Ilya, 5, decide the sport he dedicated his life to isn’t for them, he and his wife Nastya will let them choose their own paths.

“The main thing is that they have their own desire,” Ovechkin said. “If they want to [play hockey], they will do it, if not, no one will insist.”

For now, Sergei seems well on his way to following in his dad’s footsteps. He’s demonstrated his early on-ice skills on multiple occasions from scoring at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game Breakaway Challenge (assisted by Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby no less) to netting four goals this summer during the Ovi Cup gala match.

Ovechkin is officially the NHL’s all-time greatest goal scorer, passing Wayne Gretzky for that title in April. He’ll be entering his 21st season with still multiple other milestones within reach. Ovechkin completed the 2024-25 campaign with 897 career goals, leaving him just three shy of becoming the first player in league history to score 900. He also needs just nine games to become the 23rd player in NHL history to play in 1,500 career games and 19 points to pass Joe Sakic for 10th-most all-time (1,641).

“He defies logic and Father Time and everything else,” Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said in an interview earlier in August. “He’s got [a] couple more milestones right off the hop here early in the season that are within reach, so I’m sure those are in the back of his mind, and it will be fun to see when he hits those.”

Ovechkin is expected to return to the United States from Russia in early September for training camp ahead of his final season under contract with the Capitals.

“Everything is fine, we are preparing with a positive attitude and a good mood,” Ovechkin said earlier this month.