Of major league sports, there are some records that you never expect to see broken, or at least, not for a long time. Barry Bonds’ 762 Home Runs, and Rickey Henderson’s 1,406 stolen bases in MLB. Jerry Rice’s 208 career Touchdowns, and Eric Dickerson’s 2,104 rushing-yard season in NFL. In the NHL, the big one is Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky’s former record of 894 career NHL goals and that seemingly untouchable record has been broken.
Alexander “Ovi” Ovechkin was born in 1985 in the Soviet Union. He was drafted first overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft. The 6 foot 2 Left Wing has stayed with Washington for all 895 career goals. He is only one of three NHL players to reach 800 career goals. He joined Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe in the 800 club. The question becomes, can he get to 1000? If he plays for the next two seasons, I have no doubt that he can.
Ovechkin holds the record for most goals with one team, obviously, because he scored every single goal with Washington. The 39-year old is now one of the greatest players to ever take the ice.
Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s record in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on 4/4, however he had a chance to break the record late in the 3rd period, however, he declined his coach’s offer to enter the game late, saying “I don’t want to break it [the record] on an empty net.” At this point in the game, Chicago had pulled their goalie.
The NHL made plans to delay the game at any point, regardless of time remaining or the situation when Ovechkin got his 895th goal.
Wayne Gretzky was in attendance at the game in New York against the Islanders on 4/6 when Ovechkin broke his record. Gretzky follows Gordie Howe’s tradition, as Howe was in attendance for the game against the Canucks on March 23rd, 1994 where Gretzky became the NHL’s highest scorer until Ovechkin’s goal on 4/6.
Gretzky followed through on his promise that he would be the first one to shake Ovechkin’s hand after he broke the record.
Alexander Ovechkin is now nicknamed “The Great 8” or simply just “Gr8”. This follows Gretzky’s nickname, “The Great One”.
The most improbable record to be beaten in Hockey has been broken. History has been made, and generations of hockey players will look up to this feat. Alexander Ovechkin, congratulations on 895.
