Ice Hockey: Washington pays $124m to keep Ovechkin

The 22-year old Russian hockey star Alexander Ovechkin has signed a 13-year deal with his NHL side the Washington Capitals. The contract is reportedly worth a staggering $US 124 million dollars.

Ovechkin, known in the game as Alexander the Gr8 because of his shirt number, has been Washington’s leading scorer for the past three years. The new contract will keep him with the team until 2021.

The Capitals chairman announced the news on the team website and described Ovechkin as the cornerstone of the club.

He also thinks the deal will help the side in its pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

Ovechkin was rookie of the year when he moved to the NHL in 2004. He also made the All-Star team in his debut season.