Russian-born hockey superstar Alexander Ovechkin has shattered Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable all-time scoring record, cementing his legacy as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.
Watch the video below.
The 39-year-old Washington Capitals captain fired his 895th career goal, surpassing a record many hockey experts believed would never be broken.
Ovechkin’s historic achievement came despite facing significant adversity, including a broken fibula that sidelined him for 16 games this season.
Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal came during a power play against the New York Islanders. He unleashed his signature one-timer from his office near the left faceoff circle.
Teammate Tom Wilson assisted on the goal, which sent the Capital One Arena crowd into a frenzy.
Fans who paid upwards of $1,000 per ticket witnessed hockey history. The game immediately paused for a celebration featuring Gretzky himself, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and Ovechkin’s family.
What makes Ovechkin’s accomplishment even more impressive is that he scored 894 goals in one fewer regular-season game (1,846) than Gretzky needed.
Despite missing time with injury this season, Ovechkin has netted 42 goals, ranking third in the league.
Gretzky, long considered the greatest player in hockey history, has been gracious in seeing his record fall.
“I can tell you first hand, I know how hard it is to get 894 – [so] 895 is pretty special,” Gretzky said.
He later added a prediction that may stand the test of time: “They say records are made to be broken but I’m not sure who’s gonna get more goals than that.”
While celebrating his athletic achievements, it is worth noting that Ovechkin has also demonstrated exceptional patriotism and charity.
The record-breaking captain has partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, donating an amount equal to his career goal total for each goal scored.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the Capitals’ ownership group, has committed to matching these donations, multiplying the impact of Ovechkin’s on-ice success.
Moreover, a special video compilation featuring American sports icons LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Simone Biles was created to celebrate the milestone.
Teams and players across multiple sports posted tributes on social media, recognizing the magnitude of this achievement.
“I always said that if there’s any guy who could do it, it’s him. Sometimes, it just seems like the puck finds him, and he’s got that ability to put it in the net like no one else,” former captain teammate Nicklas Backstrom said.
Ovechkin’s goal-scoring prowess has been remarkably consistent throughout his 20-year NHL career.
He has surpassed the 40-goal mark in 14 seasons, scored on 180 different goaltenders, and tallied 32 career hat tricks.
He also holds NHL records for power-play goals and overtime goals, further solidifying his status as the most prolific goal scorer in league history.
Ovechkin’s mother, wife, and children joined him on the ice during the ceremony, highlighting the family values that have supported his journey to the top of his sport.
In a tearful TV interview following the historic moment, Ovechkin expressed what the achievement meant for himself and his family and teammates who helped him reach this pinnacle.
