Alex Ovechkin becomes the all-time leading goal scorer in the history of NHL after he broke Wayne Gretzky's record. Ovechkin was chasing a mammoth 894 career goals record set by Gretzky and has leapfrogged it. He recorded his 895th career goal with a snipe of a wrist shot past Ilya Sorokin on a second-period power play at UBS arena.
What did Wayne Gretzky say about Alex Ovechkin after he broke his record?
The Washington Capitals were taking on the New York Islanders when Ovechkin etched his name in the history books as the latter walked away with a 4-1 victory.
The Spittin' Chiclets on X (formerly known as Twitter) shared the moment on the ice when Wayne Gretzky congratulates Alex Ovechkin and his family as a passing of the torch for the leading goal scorer in the history of the sport.
We're here today to celebrate this guy here, number 8. I can tell you firsthand, I know It is hard it is to get to 895. 895 is pretty special. My congratulations to not only Alex, his mom and dad, his family, his wife, and kids. When I broke the record, my two kids were about the age of his boys. So it's reminiscing for me, and I'm so happy that two of my boys are here tonight. But there's nothing better than the National Hockey League.
They say records are made to be broken, but I'm not sure who's going to get more goals than that. It's the greatest game in the world. I want to congratulate every organization the Commissioner and the League, and to the referees who do such a great job, Gretzky added.
I said I'd be the first guy to shake your hand when you broke the record. I wore this pin. One last thing before Alex speaks. One of the great things about my setting the record Coleen Howe bought my wife a beautiful gift and a wonderful note. And we know how the legacy of hockey passes down, but so does it with the families and the wives, Gretzky further added.
So my wife has something very beautiful for his lovely wife that we want to pass on. But Mr. Leonis, congratulations. And when I set the record, they bought me a Rolls-Royce. So you got your work cut out, Gretzky concluded.
It was a special moment for Ovechkin to have Gretzky in the attendance and even on the ice to celebrate what the former had achieved by crossing the daunting record which was once thought of as untouchable record.
The Great 8 will now be eyeing to notch up 900 career goals before the end of the current 2024-25 regular season. Not just this, Ovechkin will be chasing his second Stanley Cup in two weeks time when the Washington Capitals start their postseason as the likely number one team in the Eastern Conference.
This is Ovechkin's 42nd goal of the season in his 61st game of the campaign. He has 69 points to his name (42 goals and 27 assists) in the 61 games he has played this season. He has one year remaining on his five year contract that he signed with the Capitals way back in 2021.