Alex Ovechkin shows up at hockey practice, shocks everyone with new look

On Wednesday, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was back on the ice, training ahead of the “Match of the Year” in Russia, an All-Star game between NHL and KHLers from the nation, which takes place on Sunday. He skated with Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev, but fans and pundits quickly noticed how he was sporting a new look.

Ovechkin jumped on the ice without a visor on his helmet, he who usually sports the cool tinted one.

Capitals insider for the Hockey News Sammi Silber posted a picture and wrote:

“Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is back on the ice — and rocking a new look as he’s ditched his famous tinted visor.”

The Match Of The Year is an annual All-Star Game between Russian NHL and KHL players, and Ovechkin took part in the event last year as well.

He is back from vacation with his family and is focused on training ahead of his 21st NHL season, which also marks the final year of his contract with Washington. Chatter has been buzzing across the league about what might come next for Ovechkin once his deal expires.

Ovechkin is coming off a historic season where, despite missing 16 games after a leg fracture, he scored 44 goals — the third-most in the league — to overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Fans cannot wait to see what he has in store next season, though I doubt he will be bringing the no-visor to the Capitals and the NHL.

More images and footage of Ovechkin's new look down here: