Photo: @Commanders/IG

As the National Football League’s Washington Commanders began a new era of football under new owner Josh Harris on Sunday, the Washington Capitals have begun to assemble at MedStar Capitals Iceplex ahead of their own 2023-24 season. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin attended the Burgundy and Gold’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Ovechkin, who recently returned to the United States for the Caps’ informal skates at MedStar, was in attendance with his oldest son Sergei, Capitals defenseman Alexander Alexeyev, and forward prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko.

Ahead of kickoff, Alex and Sergei participated in some on-field warmups.

pregame work pic.twitter.com/R2rlvX3tZ6

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2023

Ovechkin, who will look to start of his own season on a positive note, has previously attended games at FedEx Field.

Alex Ovechkin is here for the Commanders season opener! pic.twitter.com/XDPWzFHRFm

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 10, 2023

Ovechkin joined Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Phoenix Suns (NBA) forward Kevin Durant among the notable names in the stands in Landover, Maryland this afternoon. Alexeyev also attended with Ovechkin last season.

The Capitals’ captain is entering his 19th NHL season, and will be looking to close the gap in his chase for the all-time Goals Scored record of 894, sitting in second place with 822 career tallies. Over the years, the other DMV sports teams have shown support for one another, with the Capitals wishing the Commanders luck as they begin the first campaign in the post-Dan Snyder era.

Here’s to some major tuddies this season, @Commanders 🏈#ALLCAPS x #HTTC pic.twitter.com/aOv6Zf5Yci

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 10, 2023

Caps prospects, Vincent Iorio, Alexander Suzdalev, and 2023 second-round pick Andrew Cristall were also taking in the day’s festivities at FedEx Field, ahead of the Capitals’ rookie camp in a few days’ time.

Alexander Suzdalev in the house. Rookie camp starts in just a few days 🙌 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/zcqf4NRYQJ

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) September 10, 2023

The Commanders finished their first game of the season with a 20-16 victory over Arizona.