Fans at UBS Arena in Elmont and all around the globe witnessed history unfold before their eyes. Alex Ovechkin netted his 895th NHL goal, passing Wayne Gretzky for first place in the all-time scoring list. Immediately after the goal, the league hosted a brief celebration on the ice, during which an emotional Ovi spoke for the first time as the reigning all-time NHL goalscorer.
Though Ovechkin came into the league with sky-high expectations, selected with the first overall selection in the 2004 NHL entry Draft, not many could’ve ever envisioned the career he’d go on to record.
Shattering records left and right with the Capitals, Ovechkin secured the biggest accomplishment of his career on April 6, 2025. After beating Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin with a wrist shot, Ovechkin unleashed the fireworks inside the rink, with every fan on their feet to acknowledge history.
As his family, Gretzky, and every player on both teams stood on the ice during the commemorative moment, an emotional Ovechkin voiced a sincere admission.
Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals poses with former NHL player Wayne Gretzky after scoring his 895th career goal during the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 06, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Ovechkin’s goal passes Gretzky’s 894 goals to become the NHL all-time goal-scoring leader.
“What a day,” Ovechkin stated during his celebratory speech. “It’s a team sport, and without my boys, the whole organization, the fans and coaches, I would never stand there, and obviously I would never pass ‘The Great One’. Thank you very much. We did it boys, we did it.
see also
Ovechkin breaks NHL goals record: Wayne Gretzky makes bold statement after Ovi’s 895th goal
“Thank you, Ilya Sorokin for letting me score 895, I love you brother,” Ovechkin jokingly told fellow Russian, Islanders goaltender Sorokin.
Never say never
After Ovechkin became the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer, an old clip from a Sportsnet interview in September 2016 resurfaced. During the conversation with Elliotte Friedman, Ovi shared a very sincere message about potentially catching Gretzky’s goal total.
“I don’t think somebody will beat [Gretzky’s] record. In this hockey right now, in this league I think it’s impossible. It’s impossible [to catch Gretzky],” Ovechkin said in 2016, when he was around the 500-goal mark, via Sportsnet.
SurveyShould the NHL retire Ovechkin\'s No. 8 league-wide when the 39-year-old retires?
Should the NHL retire Ovechkin\'s No. 8 league-wide when the 39-year-old retires?
already voted 0 people
As it turned out, it wasn’t impossible—at least not for Ovechkin and his unstoppable scoring ability. However, reaching Ovi’s mark in the future may very well be impossible, and perhaps never accomplished again in the NHL.
