On April 6, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin surpassed legendary Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky to become the National Hockey League’s all-time leading goal scorer. Ovechkin’s 895th goal, one more than Gretzky’s previous 894-goal record, marked an occasion for the Capitals, as owner Ted Leonsis explained in an interview with WUSA 9.
Ovechkin, born on Sept. 17, 1985, in Moscow, Russia, has become one of the most iconic figures in hockey. Known for his physicality, powerful shot and infectious passion, he is described as the most prolific goal-scorer of his era by AP News.
His NHL journey began when the Capitals selected him as the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. Starting in 2001, he played professionally for Dynamo Moscow in Russia. The Florida Panthers attempted to draft him in 2003, one year before he was technically eligible, by arguing he met the age requirement when accounting for leap years.
During his rookie season in 2005-2006, Ovechkin scored 52 goals and had 54 assists, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy and establishing himself as a generational talent. At 6 feet 3 inches and 240 pounds, with a slap shot and a physical playing style, Ovechkin quickly became one of the NHL’s most feared and productive scorers as PK Subban called him on ESPN.
His accomplishments include three Hart Memorial Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies and 13 NHL All-Star selections. He was named to the 2005-2006 NHL All-Rookie Team and is tied with Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the most 50-goal seasons at nine.
The record-breaking goal came during the second period of the Capitals’ game against the New York Islanders. After Islanders forward Casey Cizikas was called for tripping at 7:00, the Capitals earned their first power play.
Ovechkin took a pass from Tom Wilson at the top of the left circle, his signature spot dubbed “Ovi’s Office,” and fired a shot past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin. In addition to breaking the all-time goal record, the shot marked Ovechkin’s 325th career power-play goal, extending his own previous NHL record. It was also his 42nd goal of the 2024-2025 season.
Ovechkin celebrated by belly-flopping onto the ice and sliding across the blue line, a moment reminiscent of his 2018 fountain dive at the Georgetown Waterfront following the Capitals’ Stanley Cup Championship. “Ice was bad today,” Ovechkin joked after the game in a post game interview reported by CBS Sports. “So, I fell, and I’m pretty sure it’s a cool moment.”
The game was paused for a 15-minute on-ice ceremony. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals teammates and Gretzky joined Ovechkin at center ice. As the Islanders respectfully tapped their sticks, Bettman addressed the crowd.
“We have all just witnessed history in front of greatness,” Bettman said. “Wayne, you’ll always be ‘The Great One,’ and you had a record that nobody ever thought could be broken, but Alex, you did it. You have been amazing.”
Gretzky embraced Ovechkin and fulfilled a promise he made in 2020, to shake Ovechkin’s hand when he passed him. “They say records are meant to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that,” Gretzky said.
