Alexander Ovechkin is not a United States citizen, as he has chosen to maintain his native Russian citizenship throughout his life and his legendary professional hockey career. Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Ovechkin came to North America to fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League after being selected first overall by the Washington Capitals. While he has lived, worked, and achieved historic athletic milestones in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for nearly two decades, maintaining permanent resident status in the United States, he remains fiercely proud of his Russian heritage, frequently returning home during the summer off-season and representing the Russian national team in international global competitions whenever the opportunity arises.