Ovechkin’s cereal, Ovi’s Great Crunch, hits Giant store shelves this week ahead of NHL season

Alex Ovechkin’s gap-toothed grin is coming to grocery stores throughout the D.C. region.

The Washington Capitals superstar will launch a limited edition cereal — Ovi’s Great Crunch — at every Giant grocery store in the area, the chain announced Tuesday.

The cornflake cereal, which will feature Ovechkin on the box, hits shelves at all 163 Giant stores on Friday.

A portion of the proceeds from the cereal sales will benefit “The Gr8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer,” Ovechkin’s latest charitable endeavor. The Russian started the campaign last season as he narrowed in on Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.

Starting with his 885th goal that moved him nine behind Gretzky, the three-time MVP committed to donating money for each score the rest of his career.

“The whole thing, everything that’s happening right now with the organization, with the GR8 Chase, everybody has heard about it, right?” Ovechkin told NHL.com in March as he launched the initiative. “So I think it’s very important for us (to use that) to help kids, help people who have cancer to fight for it. It’s a cause that’s very important.”

The record-breaking 895th goal in April was met with an $895 donation by Ovechkin.

To date, the campaign has raised more than $150,000, with funds supporting the V Foundation, Hockey Fights Cancer and Ovechkin’s own Pediatric Cancer Research Grant.

“I’m excited to partner with Giant Food again on this new cereal,” Ovechkin said in a statement on Tuesday. “I hope fans and kids enjoy it and remember to eat breakfast every day! I’m also very grateful to Giant Food for helping promote and encouraging fans to donate to the V Foundation to help fight cancer.”

The collaboration marks the second Ovechkin-branded cereal sold by Giant. The chain unveiled Ovi O’s in 2019. Profits from that honey nut cereal were donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Representatives from the grocery chain said it was the right time to unveil a new cereal after Ovechkin broke Gretzky’s goals record in the spring.

“Giant Food is excited to once again honor Alex’s achievements and offer our shoppers — and the city’s sports fans — a fun moment to celebrate his incredible contributions to Washington, D.C.,” said Ira Kress, president of Giant Food. “Shoppers will not only enjoy Ovi’s Great Crunch cereal, but will also take pleasure in knowing that every box purchased supports Alex’s truly laudable dedication to ending pediatric cancer.”

This season could be Ovechkin’s last in Washington. He turns 40 years old on Wednesday and previously said his current contract — which expires next summer — would be his last.

The Moscow native has said he wants to play for his hometown club, Dynamo Moscow, when his NHL career ends.

Comments from his wife and the Capitals’ ticket office caused retirement rumors to heat up this offseason. The team sent an email to season-ticket holders urging them to claim their spot for Ovechkin’s final games as a Capital.

Ovechkin’s wife, Anastasia Ovechkina, told Russian media outlet aif.ru that the family would “stay in Russia” after next season.

The Ovechkins and the Capitals later walked back their comments, clarifying that no decision has been made regarding the 13-time All-Star’s future.

The Capitals start training camp on Thursday ahead of a preseason opener at Boston on Sunday. Washington’s regular season begins Oct. 8 with a home game against the Bruins.