Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin etched his name into hockey history by surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s legendary record as the top scorer in NHL history. His 895th career goal came last Sunday during a power play against the New York Islanders, sparking celebrations throughout the hockey world.
However, even the newly minted record holder admitted to having serious doubts about achieving this monumental feat. In a recent appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday, Ovechkin was asked if he believed in 2020 that breaking Gretzky’s record was possible, especially after Gretzky himself had pointed to Ovechkin as the player most likely to do so.
“Honestly, I never thought it could happen,“ he said. “This is such a great moment for myself, for the Capitals organization, for hockey, for my teammates, for my family, friends, and fans all over the world.” Ovechkin continued, “As I’ve always said, without my teammates, without my family, without all the support, we would have never reached this milestone.”
Ovechkin: An unthinkable milestone come true
Ovechkin’s 895th career goal was also his 42nd goal of the season, in which he has played 42 games and recorded six multi-goal games, including two hat-tricks against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers. The Capitals captain recalled the historic moment when he scored against the Islanders’ goaltender.
Ovechkin: Beyond hockey
Beyond his sporting achievements, Ovechkin has shown a strong social commitment. In March, he announced a partnership with the V Foundation to fight pediatric cancer, pledging to donate an amount equal to his career goal total every time he scores for the rest of his career. This gesture highlights the humanitarian side of an athlete who transcends records and strives to make a positive impact on society.
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