"We will do everything to make you smile": Anastasia Shubskaya shares pictures from son Ilya Ovechkin's birthday bash

Anastasia Shubskaya, wife to NHL sensation Alexander Ovechkin, posted a heartfelt tribute to their son Ilya, who just turned five on May 27. She also shared candid photos from his birthday celebration, giving fans a glimpse into the off-ice life of one of hockey's most legendary families—and a reminder that Alexander Ovechkin's greatest legacy is perhaps not in goals, but in fatherhood.

Alexander Ovechkin and Anastasia Shubskaya mark their son Ilya's 5th birthday with a Capitals-themed party

The birthday party was a love letter to Ilya and to the sport that flows in the veins of the Ovechkin family. With personalized touches that made the area look like a mini Capital One Arena, the party had red, white, black, and silver balloons, a mini ‘locker room’ with jerseys and sticks, and a puck-shaped centerpiece to celebrate Ilya's special day with a scoreboard "05–00. Wearing a miniature replica of Russia’s 2014 Olympic hockey jersey, Ilya looked every bit his father’s son—beaming as he wielded a hockey stick with the same confidence fans have seen from Alexander Ovechkin on NHL ice for nearly two decades. But over and above the equipment and the rinkside aesthetic, it was Anastasia's personal message that meant the most to fans. What her words expressed was not only pride but also fierce, unassuming dedication to fostering joy, wellness, and happiness in their home—one that is frequently shared with the world via cozy family portraits and unposed moments on her social media. The caption read: “Happy birthday, our beloved son! Dad and I are so lucky to be your parents! The most important thing is to be healthy, and we will continue to do everything to make you happy and smile as often as possible [blue heart emoji]”Their first son, Sergei, was born in 2018 and named for Ovechkin's deceased brother.

Ilya arrived in 2020, and both boys are already steeped in the sport of hockey—though for now, at least, in the most lighthearted of manners. Also read: Capitals spark retirement panic after wrongly declaring Alex Ovechkin’s last season
Shubskaya posts regularly from their home life: birthday moments, family holidays, and peaceful evenings in with the children. It's a peek into a lovingly structured life, where Ovechkin's on-ice brilliance is equaled by his dedication as a parent.