Alex Ovechkin is heading to China.
The NHL on Thursday announced the Capitals captain will visit Beijing the week of August 4th as part of the league's continued outreach in the country.
Ovechkin will serve as an international ambassador on behalf of the NHL, with his visit scheduled to include a media tour, business development meetings and youth hockey clinics.
The @NHL has announced that @Capitals captain @ovi8 will visit China the week of August 4th to serve as an international ambassador for the League. https://t.co/DmAsz01gqH
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 18, 2019
"We are very excited that Alex Ovechkin will be joining us in China this summer," NHL executive vice president of media and international strategy David Proper said in a statement.
"Alex represents the best in sports, as he epitomizes that combination of great talent, great personality and great sportsmanship. He is the perfect person to represent the NHL's efforts to grow hockey in China."
Ovechkin, 33, enjoyed another career season in 2018-19 as he became became the third oldest player in league history to record a 50-goal season.
He leads the NHL in goals (658), power-play goals (247), game-winning goals (107), power-play points (464), shots (5,234) and ranks second in points (1,211) since entering the league in 2005-06. He also leads the franchise in goals, points, power-play goals, game-winning goals, overtime goals (22), shots and multi-goal games (132).
"It is a huge honor for me to be an ambassador for the entire Washington Capitals organization and the National Hockey League for this special trip to China," Ovechkin said.
"I think it is very important to spend time to help make people all over the world see how great a game hockey is. I can't wait to spend time with all the hockey fans there and I hope to meet young kids who will be future NHL players. I can't wait for this trip!"
The NHL previously held two games in China in 2018 when the Bruins and Flames played Sept. 15 in Shenzhen and Sept. 19 in Beijing. The Kings and Canucks also played preseason games in Shanghai and Beijing in 2017.