The 2023 NHL All-Star Skills competition took place Friday night, and while there were plenty of NHL players in attendance, the real star of the show was Sergei Ovechkin.
The 4-year-old son of Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin got one of the biggest roars of the evening, helping his dad and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in the Breakaway Challenge.
While it was announced beforehand that Crosby and Ovechkin would be teaming up for the event, the fans in South Florida were treated to a small surprise when Ovechkin motioned for his son to come join him on the ice.
Ovi Jr. raced out and went down on a 3-on-0 with his father and Crosby. He deked former Panthers goalie and celebrity guest Roberto Luongo and got the puck across the line
OVI JR SCORES ‼️#NHLAllStar | @Capitals | @penguins pic.twitter.com/GKgoxdWusC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 4, 2023
we are all nastya rn pic.twitter.com/G0uRB9TpCj
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2023
Sergei helped the trio to a perfect score from the judges in the competition, earning the win in the Breakaway Challenge. The crew beat out Bruins forward David Pastrnak, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner in the event.
The two legends team up and take the @GreatClips NHL Breakaway Challenge title! With an assist from Sergei Ovechkin. 😊 #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/Z9pfFgocku
— NHL (@NHL) February 4, 2023
It's not the first time we've seen him on the ice, as Ovechkin has brought his son to a number of prior events. But this was the biggest stage for Sergei to show off his handles.
MORE: Results, highlights from 2023 NHL All-Star Skills competition
Here are more details on Ovechkin's son Sergei.
How old is Sergei Ovechkin?
Ovechkin's oldest son, Sergei, is 4 years old. He was born in 2018.
He has been skating for over a year. Ovechkin said that while neither he nor his wife, Nastya, pushed Sergei to try hockey, it was a natural interest for him.
"Yes, we are not tied to any kind of sport," Ovechkin said. "Whatever he chooses, he chooses. As soon as he began to walk well, he almost immediately picked up a stick. We even have a video of him tossing the puck on the hook at two years old, it flips in the air and he catches it. Even adults do not always succeed in this trick."
For any diehard fans already looking toward when Sergei is able to be drafted in the NHL, he will be first eligible in 2036. That's the year he turns 18.
We still have a long way to go before then, but perhaps we will see more Sergei Ovechkin breakaway chances in between.
Alex Ovechkin's children
In addition to Sergei, Ovechkin has a 2-year-old son, Ilya.
Alex Ovechkin with his two sons, Sergei and Ilya, holding pucks 801 and 802. pic.twitter.com/DXbZNigpEA
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 24, 2022
Ovechkin and his wife are planning on having more children. In an interview with the Russian media outlet Hello Magazine Russia, Ovechkin discussed his desire to have four children total, eventually adding two more to join Sergei and Ilya.