Alex Ovechkin announces final NHL season after 22 years

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KYMA) - Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is hanging up his skates after 22 seasons in the National Hockey League.

The 41-year-old forward announced on social media that this will be his final season playing in the NHL.

Ovechkin made history last season when he became the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer during the regular season.

He surpassed Wayne Gretzky's record when he scored his 895th career goal.

Ovechkin has since added to that total and now has 929 regular-season goals.

The Capitals star says it is time to retire and that he's looking forward to spending more time with his family.

Ovechkin's final NHL season will mark the end of one of the most decorated careers in hockey history.