Ovechkin Ties NHL All-Time Goal Record Set by Gretzky

In a historic achievement that many experts believed would never be surpassed, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has matched Wayne Gretzky's legendary record of 894 goals in NHL regular-season history. Gretzky, who retired in April 1999, was celebrated as 'The Great One,' and his tally was long considered a milestone that would stand the test of time.

Now, after two decades of remarkable performance, the 39-year-old Russian forward has reached this prestigious milestone, solidifying his status as one of the greatest goal-scorers in the history of the NHL. Ovechkin, renowned for his scoring prowess since his youth at Dynamo Moscow, was selected first overall in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Capitals. He had previously enjoyed success in the Russian Superleague before making the leap to North America in 2005, signing a lucrative 15-year contract worth $124 million.

Ovechkin quickly made an impact in the NHL, with his signature one-timer from the left circle becoming a hallmark of his playing style. Standing at 1.88 meters and weighing over 100 kg, he has consistently proven to be a formidable opponent for even the strongest defenders. His debut on October 5, 2005, was nothing short of spectacular, as he scored two goals and ended his rookie season with a remarkable 52 goals and 54 assists, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy for the best rookie of the 2005-06 season.

Over the course of his career, Ovechkin has been recognized with numerous accolades, including nine seasons as the league's top scorer. His standout season in 2007-08 saw him net 65 goals and secure the Art Ross Trophy for the highest point total (112). He has received the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award three times each, celebrating his status as the league's most valuable player. Additionally, Ovechkin led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, fulfilling a career-long dream.

Ovechkin's name frequently appears at the top of the NHL's record books. He has surpassed the 50-goal mark nine times, including doing so at the age of 36 during the 2021-22 season, making him the oldest player to achieve this feat. In 14 of his 20 NHL seasons, he has scored at least 40 goals, and he holds the record for power-play goals with 324.

In July 2021, Ovechkin signed a five-year contract extension with the Capitals worth $9.5 million annually, with the specific goal of chasing Gretzky's record. He expressed a desire to extend his career and take on the challenge of reaching Gretzky's legendary total. Despite concerns about his age and ability to compete at the highest level, he has proven skeptics wrong, culminating in this significant achievement.

Ovechkin also made an impression on the international stage, having previously represented Russia at the 2005 World Championship in Vienna, where he helped the team secure a bronze medal and was the top scorer. He has since won three gold medals at various World Championships (2008, 2012, 2014) but has not yet captured an Olympic medal, unlike his mother, Tatiana Ovechkina, who won gold in basketball during the 1976 and 1980 Olympics. Ovechkin honors her legacy by wearing the same jersey number, 8.

In recent years, Ovechkin has faced scrutiny for his perceived closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin, with critics calling out his failure to publicly distance himself from the president or condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine. In 2017, he formed the 'Putin Team' to support the president's re-election campaign, a move that drew further attention. While he has called for peace since the onset of the conflict, he has refrained from criticizing Putin directly, maintaining a focus on his professional career.