It’s been nearly 11 years since Alex Ovechkin first suited up for the Washington Capitals to make his NHL debut. After being drafted by the Capitals first overall in the 2004 NHL Draft, he debuted with the franchise in the 2005-06 season playing 81 games that season notching 52 goals and 106 points – eventually going on to win the Calder trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.
On Thursday, the jersey he wore in the first period of his first NHL game was sold at auction for $14,340. According to Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated, “Ovechkin wore the sweater during pre-game warmups and in the first period of his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets.”
The only difference from the jersey he wore in the second and third periods was a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund patch on the front of the jersey.
While Ovie didn’t manage a point in this particular jersey during the first period of the October 5 game in 2006, he did manage a couple of goals later in the contest (while wearing the second jersey of his NHL career).
Ovechkin has gone on to score 966 points (525g-441a) in 839 regular season games for the Capitals – adding an additional 82 playoff points (41g-41a) in 84 career games. While he has yet to win the coveted Stanley Cup, he does have a significant NHL resume, including six Maurice Richard trophies, three Hart Memorial trophies, two Ted Lindsay awards, one Lester B. Pearson trophy to go along with one Art Ross and his Calder trophy.