At a recent charity all-star game held at Mytishchi Arena in Moscow, six-year-old Sergei Ovechkin, son of Washington Capitals icon Alex Ovechkin, emerged as the unexpected standout by scoring four goals. The event brought together <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL veterans and Russian players, with Sergei’s impressive performance capturing attention and excitement.
Sergei Ovechkin Dominates During Friendly NHL Showcase
Sergei’s remarkable performance was a highlight of the Ovi Cup gala match, where Team Ovechkin triumphed over Pavel Datsyuk’s squad with an 11–7 victory. The young player netted two goals in the opening period alone, including shots past New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Assisted by teammates like Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov, Sergei demonstrated a natural talent on the ice. Meanwhile, his father, Alex Ovechkin, who also scored once during the game, observed proudly from the bench as his son continued to shine.
Ovi Cup MVP without a doubt, it was Sergei Ovechkin, Alex Ovechkin’s eldest son, who stole the show! His mom (Nastya Shubskaya) and grandma (Tatyana Ovechkina) were in the stands, nervously cheering him on and bursting with pride as they watched him dominate on the ice❤️ pic.twitter.com/uQCDhoyUlp
—Uggg, Social Media User
Alex Ovechkin expressed his happiness about his son‘s development during an interview with Match TV, noting their commitment to nurturing Sergei’s passion for hockey. He said,
Of course, I am happy for my son, I see his progress, as well as Ilya’s,
We will do everything so that Sergei continues in the same spirit. Many thanks to the participants. They came at the first call. This is a holiday for children. Next year will be much better.
—Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Captain
Star-Studded Support Elevates the Ovi Cup Event
The charity game featured a blend of current NHL talent and retired stars, enhancing the spectacle around the young athletes. Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov contributed two goals for Team Ovechkin, while Kirill Kaprizov added another. On the opposing side, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin impressed by scoring a hat trick for Team Datsyuk. Additional participants included legends and active players such as Vyacheslav Fetisov, Valeri Kamensky, Mikhail Sergachev, Dmitry Orlov, Kirill Marchenko, and Egor Zamula.
The Ovi Cup is a renowned youth hockey tournament with teams from Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, and Sergei is making his third appearance in the event’s all-star game since starting to skate at age two in 2020. The event held special meaning as it brought together multiple generations of hockey talent in a spirit of fun and encouragement.
After the game, Pavel Datsyuk, a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and former NHL star, playfully noted the challenge his team faced against Sergei’s team, saying,
We needed to defend another Ovi, but it didn’t work out,
—Pavel Datsyuk, NHL Legend
Family Dynamics and Future Prospects on Ice
Though Sergei’s age makes a professional career many years away, his skill on the ice hints at his potential. Sergei’s younger brother Ilya, born in 2020, has already shown interest in hockey but seems to prefer a different position from his brother. According to Alex Ovechkin, the two boys often switch roles during practice, with one playing forward and the other goalie, fostering both versatility and friendly competition.
One guy wants to be a goalie, one guy wants to be a forward, so they play back and forth all the time,
They play where each guy takes 10 shots, and then they switch.
—Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Captain
As the sons of one of hockey’s greatest players continue to develop their skills, the hockey world will be watching with great interest to see if Sergei or Ilya follows in their father’s footsteps. The Ovi Cup event remains a meaningful platform for encouraging young talent and celebrating the sport’s future stars.