NEW YORK — After Alex Ovechkin achieved his 895th NHL goal, a record-breaking moment delivered in classic Ovechkin style from his favored spot with a signature wrist shot, he celebrated with an impromptu belly flop at center ice.
The Washington Capitals captain admitted the celebration wasn`t planned.
“The ice was poor today,” he joked. “I simply fell.”
Following this iconic moment, Ovechkin was immediately surrounded by his teammates. The game between the Capitals and the New York Islanders paused for 25 minutes to honor the achievement with an on-ice ceremony. Wayne Gretzky, the legend whose record Ovechkin surpassed, was present, continuing to follow Ovechkin`s journey as he approached the milestone, fulfilling his promise to be the first to congratulate him, echoing Gordie Howe`s gesture to Gretzky in 1994.
As the league prepared the ice for the ceremony, Ovechkin prioritized embracing each of his teammates before seeking out his family, including his mother, wife, and sons. “Without them, I`m not sure I could have reached this milestone,” he acknowledged.
During the ceremony, a video tribute played at UBS Arena on Long Island, featuring congratulations from sports icons like Roger Federer, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Sidney Crosby, Derek Jeter, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Katie Ledecky.
“Honestly, I missed it,” Ovechkin confessed. “But my teammates told me about the incredible support from so many great athletes. It`s a huge honor.”
Tom Wilson noted the unprecedented attention on Ovechkin, “Trying to comprehend what he`s experiencing, the pressure, with the entire hockey world watching him. It transcends hockey,” Wilson commented. “His ability to manage this, perform, lead a top team, and remain a great teammate is truly remarkable.”
This is what defines Ovechkin, the NHL`s all-time leading goal scorer, as unique and possibly the last to hold this record.
“Records are made to be broken,” Gretzky told the crowd. “But I doubt anyone will exceed this goal count.”
WHEN GRETZKY surpassed Howe`s record 31 years prior, many in hockey thought it would be unmatched. Gretzky`s stats over 1,487 games were so extraordinary that even without his final goal tally of 894, he would still lead in all-time points.
Gretzky himself often mentioned his belief that someone would eventually break his record. However, skepticism grew, especially as the game evolved. The average goals per game in the NHL during Gretzky`s era was 6.93, compared to 5.72 since Ovechkin`s debut season. Yet, Ovechkin was always exceptional, a top talent selected first overall by the Capitals in 2004. He scored twice in his NHL debut and 52 in his rookie season.
The `Alex Ovechkin Effect` in Washington, D.C., is significant. Since his rookie season (2005-06), youth hockey participation in the Potomac Valley region has increased by 71%, according to USA Hockey. To accommodate this growth, the Capitals have supported the construction or renovation of 14 outdoor inline rinks. Ovechkin has also used his platform for philanthropy, pledging a dollar amount equal to his career goal count to pediatric cancer for every goal scored for the remainder of his career.
His influence extends beyond Capitals fans. Logan Cooley of the Utah Hockey Club, born in Pittsburgh just before Crosby and Ovechkin`s NHL debuts, names Ovechkin as his favorite player. Patrik Laine of the Canadiens, growing up in Finland, idolized the Russian winger. Even Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild admits to owning Ovechkin jerseys as a child.
“Ever since I started playing hockey,” Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs said, “he has been one of my favorite players to watch.”
A remarkable aspect of Ovechkin`s record chase was the universal support from players across the league. Throughout this season, players frequently requested stick exchanges with Ovechkin, who often obliged, partly due to his own collection aspirations, hoping to open a sports museum in Russia after retirement. Recently, he exchanged sticks with Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini, who signed his stick with a message of gratitude for Ovechkin`s role model status.
Crosby has long been considered Ovechkin`s primary rival, with neither achieving a Stanley Cup without overcoming the other. Yet, Crosby expresses deep emotion when discussing Ovechkin.
“It was a record many thought would never be touched,” Crosby reflected. “It’s incredible for hockey, and I feel privileged to witness it firsthand.”
OVECHKIN BEGAN this season impressively, leading the Capitals to the top of the league unexpectedly after a swift rebuild. He scored 15 goals in his first 18 games until an abrupt halt just before Thanksgiving. In a game against Utah on November 18, Ovechkin, who had already scored twice, was involved in a collision with Utah`s Jack McBain, resulting in a broken left fibula.
This marked the first bone fracture in Ovechkin`s 20-year career.
“When it happened,” Charlie Lindgren recalled, “we all wondered if reaching the record was still possible.”
However, Ovechkin`s resilience is well-known. As he famously declared after avoiding injury in 2006, “I’m OK, Russian machine never breaks.”
Within two days of the injury, Ovechkin discarded his walking boot, as the fibula bears minimal weight. He quickly resumed skating and remained with the team, undergoing electric stimulation to aid recovery, waiting for the bone to heal sufficiently for contact.
Ovechkin returned post-Christmas, scoring in his first two games back, naturally.
Ovechkin’s unconventional habits, amidst an era of athletes meticulously managing their bodies, have become legendary. Before team flights, he always stops at the same Subway for a spicy Italian footlong and Flaming Hot Cheetos. At away arenas, it`s requested that his No. 8 water bottles be filled with Coke or Pepsi. His pre-game home meal is consistently a heavy chicken parm and pasta Alfredo from Mamma Lucia’s.
Ovechkin isn`t always first or last at the gym, managing his ice time judiciously.
“At this stage, he knows exactly what he needs to prepare,” noted teammate Nic Dowd. “Much of it is mental. And his results are undeniable.”
ANY NHL FAN was aware of Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record, but fewer know the details behind his success.
He is a gear enthusiast, currently without equipment sponsorship. Unlike most players with CCM, Bauer, Sherwood, or True deals, Ovechkin experimented last season before finding a custom stick around the All-Star break. Since switching to this unmarked black stick, he has scored 64 goals in 96 games.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery has strategically positioned Ovechkin for success, reducing his ice time to under 18 minutes per game for the first time, minimizing 4-on-4 play, occasionally shifting him between wings, and maximizing offensive zone shifts.
“It`s about quality over quantity,” Carbery explained. “Ovechkin is receptive to strategy when it`s explained how it benefits him and the team. He always commits.”
However, Ovechkin`s power-play presence is non-negotiable, playing 97.3% of power-play time this season, among the league`s highest.
Ovechkin`s esteemed position in the locker room is secured by his exceptional team spirit.
“He seems as, if not more, excited for our goals than his own,” said Dylan Strome, who assisted on goal No. 895. “He keeps the atmosphere light with his routines, tunnel handshakes, and locker room shouts. He’s remarkably consistent.”
Rookie Aliaksei Protas once needed to borrow a teammate`s car to retrieve personal items. Ovechkin, learning Protas initially asked Evgeny Kuznetsov, insisted Protas should have come to him directly and lent him his car for months.
When Washington signed top prospect Ryan Leonard, Ovechkin invited him to a sushi dinner with teammates. Later, Ovechkin joined Leonard and his friends at a local bar near Boston College the night before scoring goal No. 891.
“Everywhere we go, it`s like rock-star treatment the moment he enters,” Wilson described. “He`s unfazed, walking around Canadian cities, engaging with fans. Most aren’t like that, but that’s just Ovi.”
ON THE DAY Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s record, an aura surrounded him. He was cheerful and excited to reunite with former Stanley Cup-winning teammates like Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and Braden Holtby, honored that night for the Capitals’ 50th anniversary.
Backstrom and Ovechkin’s careers are intertwined, with Backstrom assisting on 279 of Ovechkin’s goals, more than any other player. Backstrom and Oshie, hampered by injuries, remain under contract but are on long-term injured reserve, possibly career-ending. Ovechkin acknowledged both in his celebratory speech.
“It’s rare to be publicly thanked so personally,” Oshie said. “I knew Backy would be mentioned. Their bond is unique among teammates. But for him to include me in that moment was incredibly special and emotional, acknowledging me during such a monumental hockey achievement.”
The future is uncertain. Ovechkin, under contract for another season at $9.5 million, might aim for another Stanley Cup. Washington`s team has shown potential.
The question remains: Can anyone challenge Ovechkin’s record? If Ovechkin plays next season and then retires, projections estimate he’ll finish with 937 goals. At his current pace, it would take Auston Matthews 848 games (11 seasons), Leon Draisaitl 1,066 games (13 seasons), and David Pastrnak and Connor McDavid 14 seasons to potentially surpass it.
Perhaps one day, but for now, the record is Ovechkin’s.
“This is surreal. It might take weeks to grasp being No. 1,” Ovechkin said. “I`m immensely proud for myself, my family, teammates, coaches—everyone who helped me reach this milestone. It’s an unbelievable moment.”
