The Detroit Red Wings are set to retire Sergei Fedorov’s jersey number 91 on January 12, 2026, in a ceremony held at Little Caesars Arena. This significant event will precede a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Fedorov, a Hall of Fame forward, has extended a personal invitation to Alex Ovechkin to attend the ceremony. Ovechkin, a star player for the Washington Capitals, expressed a positive relationship with Fedorov during a recent interview. According to Daniella Bruce from Detroit, Ovechkin stated, “It’s still really good,” referring to their bond.
Ovechkin’s Possible Attendance
Ovechkin’s ability to attend the ceremony will depend on the NHL schedule. The Capitals have a busy slate due to the Olympic break, with games scheduled on January 11 against the Nashville Predators and January 13 against the Montreal Canadiens.
- Date of Ceremony: January 12, 2026
- Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
- Teams: Detroit Red Wings vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Ovechkin’s Team: Washington Capitals
- Fedorov’s Last NHL Season: 2008-09
Theoretically, Ovechkin could travel from Nashville to Detroit after facing the Predators, returning to Washington the night before playing against the Canadiens. Alternatively, he might practice with the Capitals on the morning of January 12 and then travel to Detroit for the ceremony.
Fedorov and Ovechkin’s Connection
This acknowledgment comes sixteen years after Fedorov’s final NHL season, which he spent playing for the Capitals. Ovechkin fondly remembers meeting Fedorov when he joined Washington. He shared, “When he got traded to Washington, we had right away a great connection.” Ovechkin attributes part of his development to Fedorov’s mentorship early in his career.
The two players recently reconnected during a dinner with former teammates, which included Alex Semin and Viktor Kozlov. Ovechkin reflected on how Fedorov and Kozlov influenced him during his formative years in the NHL, noting their extensive experience in the league.
Ovechkin as a Mentor
Now, as a veteran on the Capitals, Ovechkin has taken on a mentorship role for younger players. He serves as a guide for several emerging talents, including:
- Aliaksei Protas
- Ilya Protas
- Ivan Miroshnichenko
- Bogdan Trineyev
As the atmosphere builds for Fedorov’s jersey retirement, fans eagerly anticipate the potential of seeing Ovechkin in attendance, celebrating a shared legacy with one of the NHL’s greats.
