Alexander Ovechkin receives a key to the city from D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray and Mayor Adrian Fenty. Photo by Lateef Mangum, courtesy the Mayor’s Office.

Alexander Ovechkin received a key to the city this afternoon on the steps of the John A. Wilson Building. Several hundred fans, downtown office workers, and gawking tourists were on hand to revel in the success of the Washington Capitals star left-winger. He had just returned home from the NHL Awards Show, having swept the league’s four top honors, including most outstanding player (as voted by peers) and Most Valuable Player (as voted by the media). They didn’t ask DCist for our vote, but we would have voted for him too!

Mayor Adrian Fenty rattled off Ovechkin’s stats—65 goals, 47 assists, 112 points— saying, “We are honored to present a key to the city to Alex, not only for the numbers he put up, but also for his hard-working attitude and style of play.” Council Chairman Vincent Gray, flanked by Council members Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, and Jack Evans, led the crowd in a fist pumping MVP cheer.