June 26, 2004 NHL Draft Full Ticket - Washington Capitals 1st Overall Pick Alexander Ovechkin - Signed by Ovechkin PSA VG 3 with NM 7 Signature

Sold For:

$570

Year:

2004

Auction:

2025 Spring

Lot #:

3514

Category:

Hockey Cards and Memorabilia

Presented is a full ticket to the first three rounds of the 2004 NHL Draft, hosted on June 26 in Raleigh, NC at the RBC Center. The significance of the ticket is self-explanatory, even for a casual hockey fan, as it was valid for the Washington Capitals' first overall selection of Alexander Ovechkin. Regarded as one of the most talented draft prospects in NHL history, the draft rights to "Ovi" saw their share of controversy the prior year when the Florida Panthers argued that Ovechkin was old enough to be eligible for the 2003 draft (despite his birthday missing the cutoff by two days) if the NHL counted the leap years throughout his life, and selected him in the ninth round. The Panthers attempt was ultimately rejected and Ovechkin was selected by Washington the following year. Despite drawing pre-draft comparisons to the legendary Mario Lemieux, nobody could have predicted the seismic impact the newly crowned NHL scoring king would ultimately have on the game. In addition to eclipsing Wayne Gretzky's once thought unbreakable all-time goal record, Ovechkin has been the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, three Hart Memorial Trophies, a league-best nine Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies, and led the Capitals to the franchise's only Stanley Cup Championship in 2018. The full ticket (3 x 7.5 inches) which displays moderate corner wear, a few minor creases, and a light stain visible on the lower right portion of the reverse has been graded VG 3 by PSA. Ovechkin's blue ink signature on the bottom portion of the ticket has been graded NM 7. While the draft will always be remembered for Ovi's selection it should be noted that fellow Russian, Evgeni Malkin, was taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the second overall pick in the 2004 draft. Both players will undoubtedly be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto after they ultimately decide to hang-up the skates. For now, the sun has yet to set on Ovechkin's storied career as he focuses his attention on the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. This is a historic signed piece that would make a significant addition to any hockey or ticket collection.