10 Career-Defining Alex Ovechkin Hockey Cards

Doesn’t matter what kind of highlights or hot streaks other players put together.

Eventually all eyes in the hobby return to Alex Ovechkin as the Great 8 pursues the immortality that belongs to the holder of the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. But with so many different cards to pursue – nearly 6,000 base, parallel, autograph, relic, and oddball singles in total – building out an Ovi collection can be overwhelming. Looking for a little guidance? These 10 cards serve as an excellent representation of his playing career and international hobby footprint, making them the foundation of an enviable Ovechkin PC.

2001-02 Russian Moscow Dynamo Alex Ovechkin #15

At 16, Ovechkin was an unstoppable force in Russia’s junior circuit, scoring 18 goals and 26 points in 19 games and leaving a trail of bruised and battered teenagers in his wake. His success caught the attention of his parent club and earned him a promotion to play against men in the Russian Superleague. Though his numbers weren’t eye-catching – two goals and four points in 22 games – his potential was obvious. Fortunately for collectors, Dynamo was in the habit of releasing an annual team set. Little did they know how important this single would become.

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2004-05 SP Authentic Redemptions Alex Ovechkin #RR30

In a perfect world, Ovechkin would have moved directly from Raleigh – where he was the first pick in the 2004 draft – to Washington to kick off his career. Instead, the CBA stalemate between the NHL and NHLPA led to the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, forcing the 18-year-old to return to Russia. He made the most of the season, including a dominant performance at the 2005 World Juniors where he tallied seven goals and 11 points in six games, but his official hobby debut was delayed a year. This SPA redemption numbered to 399 (with fewer than that total distributed) proved to be his key pre-RC collectible.

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2005-06 The Cup Alex Ovechkin RC #179

Crosby and Ovechkin. Hot on the heels of their World Juniors battle, the arrival of the back-to-back top picks in 2005 was hyped up as the NHL’s answer to the Larry Bird and Magic Johnson rivalry. The pair delivered on their promise, both topping 100 points, but it was Ovechkin – just the second rookie ever to crest the 50-goal mark – who ran away with the Calder Trophy, capturing 124 of 129 first-place votes. Collectors preferred Crosby, however, and Ovechkin’s RC was a clear runner-up when The Cup debuted. It remained that way for years, but as his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goal mark came into focus this single earned its due, becoming the most desirable rookie in this landmark release.

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2005-06 Parkhurst Alex Ovechkin #588

Ask fans to name their favorite of Ovechkin’s 700-plus goals and this one is sure to top the list. It was the goal that announced to the hockey world that he was the real deal, and the highlight that capped his Calder Trophy-winning season. Stood up by Phoenix defender Paul Mara while trying a toe drag, Ovechkin fell to the ice but never gave up on the puck. Rolling onto his back he hooked a shot, with one hand on his stick, that beat a befuddled Brian Boucher and nearly broke the internet. Though it doesn’t carry the value of other cards on this list, this Parkie common is a must-own.

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2007-08 The Cup Property Of Alex Ovechkin #PO-AO

Although he’s continued to rack up numbers at a prodigious rate, Ovechkin has never again reached the heights of his third season. He led the league in both goals (65) and points (112), claiming the first of nine Rocket Richard Trophies and his only Art Ross Trophy. That this season should be represented by a relic card containing a piece of his stick is fitting. Not only has he used that tool better than almost anyone in history, but twigs have a special importance to him. Ovechkin is a rabid stick collector, hoarding as many as he can from elite opponents as well as from key moments in his own career.

2015-16 Upper Deck Winter Classic Alex Ovechkin #WC-3

There’s something about playing on the biggest stages that brings out the best in Ovechkin. The 2016 Winter Classic played at Nationals Park in Washington, DC was a prime example. Ovechkin scored midway through the first period, then set up Troy Brouwer’s game-winner with 13 seconds remain-ing in the third to lead the Caps to a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks. This single highlights those sweet jerseys debuted by Washington at the game, as well as Ovi’s contributions. It’s fairly easy to track down, as well as being one of the most affordable cards on this list.

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2016-17 Upper Deck A Piece Of History 500 Goal Club Alex Ovechkin #GCAO

Ever since Maurice Richard became the first to reach the milestone in 1957, the act of scoring 500 career goals has been the mark that separates the immortals from the merely great. That was clearly on Ovechkin’s mind when he secured his place in history with a second-period tally against the Senators on Jan. 10, 2016. “It’s a special moment,” he said. UD has honored those who reached the mark with the ongoing Piece Of History relic cards, creating this limited single of Ovechkin in 2017. An autographed parallel to this card is limited to just 25 copies and stands as one of his most coveted signed singles.

2018 Upper Deck Alex Ovechkin Stanley Cup Champion Alex Ovechkin #AO3

There’s joy, and then there’s whatever you call that emotion of elevated ecstasy Ovechkin unleashed after finally winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. His exuberance, both on the ice and in the long, sleepless celebration that followed Washington’s win over Vegas, raised the stakes for every champion who follows in his footsteps. Safe to say no one has yet proven they can party quite like Ovi. This single is part of a three-card series issued by UD to honor Ovechkin’s triumph. It was available primarily in the D.C. area for a limited time as a gift to purchasers of $20 or more of the company’s product.

2019-20 O-Pee-Chee Patches Alex Ovechkin #P-26

The Rocket Richard Trophy has been awarded annually to the season’s top goal scorer since the summer of 1999. Not a long run but long enough for Ovi to set a nearly unbreakable record. He’s taken home the hardware nine times over those 22 years – no one else has more than two. While he shared his most recent win with David Pastrnak, his last solo victory – and most recent 50-goal campaign – was honored with this manufactured patch card. While singles from this set aren’t brutally tough at 1:72, this one remains a decent challenge to track down.

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2021-22 Upper Deck Game-Dated Moment Gold Alex Ovechkin #2

On Oct. 13, 2021, Ovechkin buried a pair of third-period goals in Washington’s season-opening win over the New York Rangers to move past Marcel Dionne into sole possession of fifth place on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list. This card, one of UD’s weekly online-only releases that highly key moments from the season, was limited to just 100 copies, with a standard version limited to 499. Ovechkin built on that torrid start, scoring nine goals over his next 11 games to overtake Brett Hull and move into fourth. With Jaromir Jagr and third spot within his sights, he’ll soon have another GDM to collect.

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