Back in the summer of 2004 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Washington Capitals hit the jackpot by selecting Alex Ovechkin as the #1 overall pick in the NHL Draft. That draft was star-studded, to say the least, with Evgeni Malkin going second to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Cam Barker going third to the Chicago Blackhawks. Fast forward two decades, and Ovechkin has not just justified his selection; he’s basically redefined the NHL's goal-scoring narrative.
Ovechkin started his career in Russia with the Moscow Dynamos, laying down a solid foundation with 54 goals and 41 assists in 170 games. But let's be honest, that was just the warm-up act.
When he hit the NHL, it was as if he flipped a switch. He didn't just play—he exploded onto the scene, bagging the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year and setting the scoreboard ablaze with 52 goals and 54 assists in just 81 games of his debut season.
Ovi wasn't just meeting expectations; he was making history, culminating in him shattering Wayne Gretzky’s supposedly unbeatable record of 894 career goals, a number etched into the record books since 1994.
It's almost poetic how Ovi, at nearly 40, still lights the lamp with regularity. With 42 goals this season alone, only the legendary Gordie Howe has outpaced him for goals scored at this stage of a career, setting his own mark at 44 goals during the 1968-69 season.
But knowing Ovechkin, this isn’t the finish line. The man is setting an entirely new benchmark that's likely to stand unchallenged for generations.
Ovechkin's goal-scoring prowess is a testament to the global expansion and electrification of hockey. Remember when Gretzky moved to the LA Kings and sparked a hockey wildfire across America?
That fire spread far and wide, planting NHL teams in places like Florida, Nashville, Las Vegas, and beyond. Today, Ovechkin is a revered figure not only for his achievements but for inspiring new generations.
Kids across the globe, like my own 7-year-old donning the iconic #8 jersey, are growing up in awe of watching history being made.
And while Ovechkin elevates the game to new heights, let's not forget about Gretzky, "The Great One," who still holds over 50 NHL records, many of which are untouched and perhaps untouchable, like his legendary feat of 50 goals in just 39 games. Yet, today, we have Ovechkin who shares this limelight, a testament to the greatness of both players.
A few fun snippets as we reflect on this historic milestone in Ovechkin’s career:
- Ovechkin hit 894 goals in 1,486 games—all with the Capitals—while Gretzky amassed the same in 1,487 games with four different teams.
- Ovechkin's achievement of goal number 895 came 21 years to the day after the Capitals scored big by snagging him as the #1 draft pick in 2004.
- It’s been 14 years since Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe’s 801-goal record back in 1994.
Ovechkin upped the ante 26 years after Gretzky's career ended. 4.
Goal number 895 officially hit the net on April 6, 2025, a day that marked the 45th anniversary of Gordie Howe's 801st and final goal. 5.
Ovechkin scored his career-defining 895th goal against the New York Islanders, just like Gretzky clinched his final NHL goal versus that very team. 6.
While Gretzky has ten Art Ross Trophies to his name, Ovechkin boasts nine Rocket Richard Trophies. 7.
As of his 895 goals, Ovechkin has only failed to score against 28 goalies, each of whom can now toast their exclusion with a special Budweiser Zero of 895 can. 8.
Intriguingly, 11 goalies have been scored on by both Gretzky and Ovechkin, including legends like Martin Brodeur and Dominik Hasek.
These fun facts paint a picture of two transcendent talents, past and present, both of whom have permanently etched their names into the annals of hockey lore.
As we wait with bated breath to see if Ovechkin can reach 900, or even 950 goals, one thing is clear: the Washington Capitals’ captain is still leading the charge, eyeing another Stanley Cup run. For now, let's simply revel in what we've witnessed and appreciate one of the greatest goal-scorers to ever set foot on the ice. As today's generation enjoys watching Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl set the stage for their own legacies, Ovechkin stands as a bridge between legends, inspiring the future while adding golden chapters to his unparalleled story.
