The video was filled with tributes from current and former teammates including Ovechkin's first captain, Jeff Halpern, fellow 600-goal scorer Mike Gartner and former Capitals and international competition teammate Sergei Federov.
"Those guys was leaders on our team the years they played. They teach me a lot. Thanks for everybody for support and for congratulations to me. That was a pretty special moment for my parents, my brother and my wife, as well, and my friends, too," Ovechkin said.
It also featured salutes from other prominent Washington D.C. area sports stars, loyal Capitals fans and highlighted Ovechkin's off-ice work in the community.
"Yeah. It was emotional video, obviously. Lots of great players, persons on the video. Lots of great memories. Times fly. A thousand games already. It goes fast," Ovechkin said.
With NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Capitals President Dick Patrick on hand, Ovechkin was presented with a Tiffany crystal and a silver hockey stick.
His teammates gave Ovechkin a trip to Barcelona and tickets to see Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona this summer, presented by alternate captains Nicklas Backstrom and Brooks Orpik.
