Alex Ovechkin, the legendary Washington Capitals captain and one of the greatest hockey players of all time, has a family life that’s just as captivating as his career on the ice. His wife, Anastasia Shubskaya, often called Nastya or Nastasiya, is a Russian model with over half a million Instagram followers who has been by his side since they reconnected in 2015.
Their love story began with a chance meeting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they exchanged numbers but lost touch for years. Fate brought them back together when Ovechkin started commenting on her Instagram posts, and after a series of FaceTime calls and dinners, he invited her to Washington. Nastya joked in a 2020 interview with The Washington Post, “I came and after this, I stayed till now.”
Their relationship took a hilarious turn when Ovechkin proposed in the most unexpected way. Nastya was in the shower, shampoo in her hair, when he barged in, dropped to one knee, and popped the question. She recalled, “I was like, ‘What! Do you understand I am just…’ and he didn’t stop, so I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’” Despite the chaotic timing, she said yes, and the couple quietly signed a marriage certificate in Russia in 2016 before throwing a lavish celebration the following year at Moscow’s Barvikha Concert Hall, where Ovechkin famously sang a rendition of Boney M’s “Rasputin.”
Alex Ovechkin Shares Two Kids With His Wife, Anastasia Shubskaya
The Ovechkin family grew with the arrival of their first son, Sergei Aleksandrovich Ovechkin, born in August 2018. Named after Ovechkin’s late brother, Sergei’s birth marked a new chapter for the couple. Ovechkin gushed about fatherhood, telling The Washington Post, “I was kind of waiting for that moment when my kid is going to be around with me in the locker room. The culture that we have here, it is something special.”
Two years later, on May 27, 2020, the family welcomed their second son, Ilya Aleksandrovich Ovechkin, who weighed 3,800 grams (8.4 pounds) and measured 55 centimeters (21.7 inches) at birth. Ovechkin announced the news on Instagram with a heartfelt post in Russian: “Thank you, my beloved @nastyashubskaya, for our charming baby! I am the happiest!! I love you very much! Ilya Aleksandrovich Ovechkin, welcome to this beautiful world, our boy!”
Nastya shared the same photo, writing, “05/27/2020 our son was born… We are the happiest.” The couple had revealed the pregnancy earlier that February with an adorable Instagram post featuring Sergei, then 21 months old, sandwiched between his parents, Nastya cradling her baby bump with the caption, “We are waiting for you very much.”
Nastya’s Instagram has become a window into their family life, from playful moments to milestone celebrations. In March 2021, she shared photos from their coed baby shower, which had a “Little Gentleman” theme complete with bow-tie cookies, a top hat-adorned cake, and guests dressed in dapper attire. She wrote, “My girls arranged me such a beautiful, sincere and funny #babyshower.”
The Ovechkins are also known for their playful dynamic. In a 2020 interview with Men’s Journal, Ovechkin admitted that his Candy Crush and Clash of Clans addiction drives Nastya nuts. “When I go to sleep, I always try to play [on the] phone… I’m not addicted, I just like the video games,” he said with a laugh. But beneath the teasing, their bond is unshakable. Ovechkin has repeatedly praised Nastya for her unwavering support, telling The Washington Post, “She is my one, and she takes care of me, takes care of my son and gives me everything I need. I think I can’t find a better one.”
The family’s most iconic moment came on April 6, 2025, when Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record with his 895th career goal during a game against the New York Islanders. Nastya, dressed in a striking red jacket, cheered from the stands alongside their sons, Sergei and Ilya, who wore personalized “Ovi Jr.” jerseys, and Ovechkin’s mother, Tatyana Ovechkina, a two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist. After the historic goal, the family joined Ovechkin on the ice, where he kissed Nastya in front of a roaring crowd.
Gretzky, who was in attendance, gave a speech honoring the achievement. Ovechkin later reflected on the moment, saying, “It’s a historical moment and it’s great. You never thought you could reach that milestone.” He made sure to credit his family, adding, “My wife, they do everything I need obviously. I love you guys. Without you, mom, Nast, my kids, obviously… Thanks for everything.”
