“He gave me everything: all his health, all his time. He traveled with me all over the world and (was) at every practice when he had a chance,” said a visibly emotional Alex Ovechkin after the loss of his father, Mikhail. The Capitals and their fans also felt the weight of this loss, mourning the passing of Ovi’s father two years ago. Now, amid the numerous celebrations surrounding Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s record in the NHL, the Russian hockey star seized this moment to demonstrate his commendable character as a Samaritan.

On March 5, 2025, as he neared the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record, Ovechkin initiated “THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer,” partnering with the Capitals, Hockey Fights Cancer, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research. In a remarkable commitment, Ovechkin has vowed to contribute a sum equivalent to his total career goals for each goal he nets for the rest of his NHL journey.

During an interview featured on Good Morning America’s YouTube channel, he shared his motivation for pursuing this peaceful journey, saying, “Yeah, you know, it’s for all this attention, for all this sound of breaking that record, you know, we decided to join the V Foundation and raise as much money as we can to help kids and to help them to bring up, you know, smile on their face, energy and hope. We’re going to do it more and more.”

In straightforward terms, Alex Ovechkin aims to assist those facing challenges posed by the deadly disease. He leveraged the entire spotlight to secure funding for the foundation, and you won’t believe what happened next. Although the pursuit of the Great 8 has concluded, the foundation continues to welcome donations.

During that time, Ovi also urged his followers to contribute anything they could so that the foundation might assist more individuals in overcoming cancer and living better lives. Now, if you inquire about the reasons behind his actions? He’s simply a kind-hearted individual stepping up to help others. However, Ovechkin understands the profound sorrow that comes with losing a loved one.

Tough times for Alex Ovechkin

On February 15, 2023, Alex Ovechkin shared the news of his father’s passing, Mikhail Ovechkin, who was 71 years old at the time of his death. The official cause of death remains undisclosed; however, reports suggest that Mikhail was hospitalized on January 10, 2023, due to an aortic dissection, during which a malignant tumor was discovered by doctors. Mikhail’s medical background included a series of heart-related health concerns.

In 2014, he had heart surgery, and in 2016, he experienced a heart attack. These health challenges ultimately kept him from being present at his son’s games, including the Washington Capitals’ Stanley Cup run in 2018. What message did Ovi convey during these challenging times?

“Today I lost my father. I thank everyone for the support but please be understanding and do not disturb my family in this difficult time for us! Thank you,” the captain of the Caps expressed on Instagram. Ovechkin took a brief hiatus from the Capitals to spend time with his family in Russia during this time.

In response to the heartbreaking news, the franchise observed a moment of silence during their matchup with the Florida Panthers. They also paid tribute to Mikhail’s memory by donning a special helmet decal that read “Papa Ovi” in their game against the Anaheim Ducks. Ovechkin faced significant challenges during a difficult period in his life, yet he ultimately returned to the franchise, guiding them through a remarkable season reminiscent of the current one.