Ovechkin Opens Station for Kids in Cancer Skate
The Washington Capitals' Hockey Fights Cancer skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex gave children affected by cancer a chance to shoot pucks with the NHL's career goal leader.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hockey
Alex Ovechkin opened his 'Ovi's Office' shooting station to children impacted by cancer during a Hockey Fights Cancer skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Thursday. Each child took turns shooting from the left circle station.
Why it matters
The skate aims to bring a joyful distraction to children during a difficult time. The event also ties into a broader fundraising effort tied to Ovechkin's final NHL season.
THE GR8 CHASE has raised more than $276,000 since its March 5, 2025 launch, with Ovechkin donating for each goal since his 885th and Monumental Sports & Entertainment matching contributions. The final total from the November 19 jersey auction has not yet been reported.
The players
Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is a Russian-born forward for the Washington Capitals who holds the NHL record with 930 career goals and announced in October that this would be his final NHL season.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are an NHL franchise based in Washington, D.C., that runs the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative and the annual awareness game.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation
The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation is the charitable arm of the company that owns the Washington Capitals and Capital One Arena, and it is auctioning the autographed jerseys.
The details
Children from Blood Cancer United Mid-Atlantic, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, MedStar Health, and Sunrise Day Camp Greater Washington took turns at the station. The Capitals will also wear lavender-and-white Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 19 at Capital One Arena, with the jerseys autographed and auctioned by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
Timeline
March 5, 2025: THE GR8 CHASE fundraising campaign launched.
Oct. 5: Ovechkin announced this would be his final NHL season.
Nov. 5: Hockey Fights Cancer skate held at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
Nov. 19: Capitals wear Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena.
Season Trajectory
The event comes as Ovechkin enters what he has announced will be his final NHL season, with the Capitals' Hockey Fights Cancer activities forming part of a league-wide awareness program. Its fundraising ties Ovechkin's career goal total directly to donations for pediatric cancer research.
Fans can bid on the autographed lavender-and-white Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys worn in the November 19 game against the Buffalo Sabres. Proceeds from the auction go toward pediatric cancer research through the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
The takeaway
Donations tied to Ovechkin's goal totals are funding the Alex Ovechkin GR8 Chase Pediatric Cancer Research Grant through the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer. Readers who want to support the effort can follow the jersey auction through the Capitals.
What happens next
The Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys will be worn and auctioned in the Capitals' November 19 game against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena.
Further reading
Explore more Hockey coverage for context on the Capitals' season and the league's charitable efforts.
More information
Bids for the autographed jerseys are available through the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer jersey auction.
