Alex Ovechkin made history on Sunday by scoring his 895th goal, becoming the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. The moment came during a power play when Ovechkin received a pass and fired a wrist shot into the top corner of the net. This achievement broke the long-standing record held by Wayne Gretzky, who was present at the game and applauded Ovechkin’s accomplishment.
Gretzky, known as "The Great One," was gracious in his response to the record being broken. He promised to be the first to congratulate Ovechkin and fulfilled that promise with a warm handshake and a hug at center ice in the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Gretzky’s presence added a special touch to the occasion, bridging the gap between two eras of hockey.
Ovechkin’s journey to this milestone has been remarkable, especially as many thought it would be impossible to surpass Gretzky’s record of 894 goals. Gretzky himself attended a game in Washington D.C. to see Ovechkin tie his record, where the two shared a heartfelt moment after Ovechkin scored his 894th goal. Gretzky reflected on his own experience breaking records and emphasized the importance of respecting those who follow in his footsteps.
Despite facing criticism and political tensions in recent years, Gretzky has remained focused on the sport he loves. He has not lashed out at detractors, instead choosing to celebrate Ovechkin’s achievement. After the game, Gretzky joked about the possibility of Ovechkin surpassing even more records, showing his support for the new generation of players.
Gretzky still holds over 50 NHL records, including the total goals scored in playoffs, which stands at 1,016. While Ovechkin is on track to eventually surpass this record, Gretzky’s legacy as a hockey icon is further solidified by his sportsmanship and kindness.
On this historic day, Gretzky honored the late Gordie Howe by wearing a #9 pin on his blazer. He also promised Ovechkin a new car, reminiscent of a gift he received when he broke the scoring record in 1994. This gesture highlighted the camaraderie and respect that exists in the sport, reminding fans of the values that make hockey special.