Alex Ovechkin officially signs with Dynamo Moscow

Alexander Ovechkin signed to play with his former team, the Dynamo Moscow, amid the NHL lockout. (Scott Levy/Getty Images)

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin officially signed with the Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League according to Reuters. Although Ovechkin reportedly had a more lucrative offer from CSKA, he opted to play for his hometown team.

"I'm happy to be playing in my home town," the Washington Capitals left wing, who won back-to-back Hart Trophies as the NHL Most Valuable Player in 2008 and 2009, told local media. "I'll be wearing my old 32 number, the same one I had when I was playing for Dynamo a few years ago," he said after taking part in a Dynamo training session on Wednesday.

Ovechkin made his professional debut for the Dynamo in 2001. He was selected as the no. 1 pick by the Capitals in the 2004 draft, and he led the team with 38 goals last season. Ovechkin joins a growing list of NHL players who have signed overseas contracts amid the NHL lockout including Devils left wing Ilya Kovalchuk, Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar.