Alex Ovechkin's run as a prospect is almost mythic.
Long before he became the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, Ovechkin was already producing at a level that had scouts and executives wondering just how good he could become.
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He started playing professionally as a 16-year-old with Dynamo Moscow, appearing in 22 games in what was then known as the Russian Superleague. His performance there, along with his production in Russia's lower divisions, was impressive. But it was Ovechkin's international resume that sent his draft stock into another stratosphere.
Ovechkin Dominated International Competition
As a 16-year-old member of Russia's under-17 team, Ovechkin scored 12 goals in five games as Russia won the U17 Hockey Challenge.
He followed that performance at the U18 World Championship, scoring 14 goals in eight games. That mark stood as the tournament record until Cole Caufield matched it years later, doing so at age 17.
Then came the 2003 World Junior Championship.
Ovechkin averaged a goal per game as a 17-year-old, helping Russia win the gold medal. With another year before he was eligible for the NHL draft, Ovechkin mania was already reaching a fever pitch.
Could Ovechkin Have Been Drafted A Year Earlier?
The excitement surrounding Ovechkin became so intense that Florida Panthers general manager Rick Dudley argued the forward should be eligible for the 2003 NHL Draft.
Ovechkin was born two days after the draft eligibility cutoff, making him ineligible that year. Dudley even attempted to make the case that leap years should factor into the calculation.
The NHL did not accept the argument, leaving Ovechkin to wait another year before entering the draft.
It would prove to be a significant wait for the rest of the league.
Ovechkin Was The Clear No. 1 Pick
Ovechkin continued to build his case during his draft season.
He became a full-time player for Dynamo Moscow while continuing to establish himself as one of the most dangerous young players in international hockey. He returned to the World Junior Championship and also represented Russia at the World Championship.
By the time the 2004 NHL Draft arrived, there was little debate about who would be selected first.
The Washington Capitals took Ovechkin with the No. 1 overall pick, officially making him the centerpiece of their rebuilding effort.
The only question was when he would arrive in North America.
The Lockout Delayed Ovechkin's NHL Debut
Ovechkin would have been in the NHL immediately if not for the lockout that canceled the 2004-05 season.
Instead, he stayed in Russia for another season and continued doing what he had done throughout his career: scoring.
Ovechkin helped Dynamo Moscow win the Russian Super League championship, dominated another World Junior Championship and averaged a point per game as Russia won the bronze medal at the World Championship.
By the time the NHL returned, Ovechkin's reputation had only grown.
Ovechkin Changed The NHL
Ovechkin arrived in Washington for the 2005-06 season and immediately delivered on the enormous expectations that had followed him from Russia.
He scored 52 goals and 106 points as an NHL rookie, finishing third in the league in scoring and winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.
The prospect hype had been real.
Ovechkin wasn't simply a highly touted young player who eventually became a star. His junior, professional and international performances had already established him as one of the most dominant prospects hockey had seen.
The NHL had spent years waiting for Ovechkin to arrive.
Once he did, the league was never the same.
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