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  6. article_body => "<p>Before Alex Ovechkin was on the chase for 700 career goals, he was once a wide-eyed&nbsp;teenager making the jump from Russia to the NHL.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/big-twenty-ovechkin-draft-kicks-rock-red-era-dc\">Great Eight's arrival in Washington<\/a> was ranked the No. 9 moment in NBC Sports Washington's&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/TheBigTwenty\"><em>Big Twenty&nbsp;<\/em>series<\/a>, documenting the 20 best moments in local sports over the first 20 years of the century.<\/p>\n<p>Ovechkin's interview with Al Koken on draft night is one many fans won't forget. The&nbsp; 19-year-old was asked what he could immediately bring to the Capitals, and he responded by saying he could do a little bit of everything.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think I can play a physical game,\" Ovechkin said.&nbsp;\"I can score goals. I can pass.\"<\/p>\n<p>In 15&nbsp;seasons and counting with the Capitals, Ovechkin has more than lived up to the hype that surrounded him when Washington selected him No. 1&nbsp;overall in the 2004 NHL Draft.<\/p>\n<p>He's broken numerous franchise records on his way to becoming the best player in franchise history while being a main reason Washington hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time ever in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>Ovechkin was not fazed by the unworldly expectations that immediately surrounded him upon his arrival to Washington.<\/p>\n<p>\"People say that,\" Ovechkin said on the high hopes Capitals fans had for him on draft night. \"I must work. I must work hard, too.\"<\/p>\n<p>Well, his hard work has certainly paid off.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong is=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb65a2b6cedb?site_id=Dig_RSN_Wash&amp;creative_id=nbcswash1200&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcswash1200\" is=\"\">Click here<\/a>&nbsp;to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports. Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream Capitals and Wizards games easily from your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong is=\"\">MORE CAPITALS NEWS:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Big Twenty:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/big-twenty-ovechkin-draft-kicks-rock-red-era-dc\">Ovechkin's arrival<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Caps-Kings:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/alex-ovechkin-approaches-700-goals-capitals-vs-kings-time-tv-channel-live-stream-how-watch\">How to watch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Goalie Debate:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/it-sounds-samsonov-going-get-more-looks-reirden-wont-call-it-goalie-competition\">Samsonov to get more looks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Capitals

Capitals

Before Alex Ovechkin was on the chase for 700 career goals, he was once a wide-eyed teenager making the jump from Russia to the NHL.

The Great Eight's arrival in Washington was ranked the No. 9 moment in NBC Sports Washington's Big Twenty series, documenting the 20 best moments in local sports over the first 20 years of the century.

Ovechkin's interview with Al Koken on draft night is one many fans won't forget. The  19-year-old was asked what he could immediately bring to the Capitals, and he responded by saying he could do a little bit of everything.

"I think I can play a physical game," Ovechkin said. "I can score goals. I can pass."

In 15 seasons and counting with the Capitals, Ovechkin has more than lived up to the hype that surrounded him when Washington selected him No. 1 overall in the 2004 NHL Draft.

He's broken numerous franchise records on his way to becoming the best player in franchise history while being a main reason Washington hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time ever in 2018.

Ovechkin was not fazed by the unworldly expectations that immediately surrounded him upon his arrival to Washington.

"People say that," Ovechkin said on the high hopes Capitals fans had for him on draft night. "I must work. I must work hard, too."

Well, his hard work has certainly paid off.

 

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