On Friday night, Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was named the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award winner for the 2024-25 season. The award was first presented after the 2006-07 season and is given annually “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities on his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who played a leading role in community growth in the game of hockey.”

While suggestions for nominees are solicited from fans, clubs, and NHL personnel, the winner is selected by the award’s namesake (Messier). The NHL Hall of Famer is the only player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cups. Messier completed that feat in just four seasons, with the Edmonton Oilers winning the Stanley Cup in 1990 and the New York Rangers’ thrilling Cup-winning experience in 1994. “Thank you very much for giving me this Award,” Ovechkin told Messier on ESPN. “It’s a special award. It means a lot. I play hard every single day since my day one, and it’s been a helluva year…  Chasing the Great One (Wayne Gretzky) and passing him was something special.” 

Alex Ovechkin wins the 2025 Mark Messier Leadership Award