Alexander Ovechkin’s record

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Alexander Ovechkin – One of the Greatest Snipers in NHL History, Whose Journey to Wayne Gretzky’s Record (894 Goals) Became a Testament to Perseverance, Talent, and Incredible Work Ethic. Here’s How It Happened.

1. Career Beginnings: A Phenomenal Start (2001–2005)

  • Youth in Russia: Ovechkin began his career in the Dynamo Moscow system, quickly becoming a star. By 16, he was playing for the senior team, and at 17, he debuted for the Russian national team.

2004 NHL Draft: Selected 1st overall by the Washington Capitals, but due to the lockout, he made his NHL debut in 2005.

2. Explosive NHL Debut (2005–2010)
  • 2005/06 Season: Scored 52 goals – a rookie record in the modern era. Won the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year).
  • First Trophies: Won the Maurice «Rocket» Richard Trophy (top goal scorer) in 2008 and 2009, with 65 and 56 goals respectively.

Captaincy: Became captain of the Capitals in 2010, embracing a leadership role.

3. Career Peak and the Quest for the Stanley Cup (2010–2018)

  • Consistency: Scored 30–50 goals annually, despite the league’s shift to lower-scoring, defense-heavy play.
  • 2018 Stanley Cup: Led the Capitals to their first-ever championship, tallying 27 points (15+12) in 24 playoff games.

Personal Milestones: In 2015–16, became the first player since 1995–96 to score 50 goals in 50 games.

4. Ovechkin’s Records
  • April 6, 2025: Scored his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s «eternal record» of 894 goals.
  • 9-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner (NHL’s top goal scorer).
  • 9 seasons with 50+ goals.
  • 136 game-winning goals for the Washington Capitals and 895 goals for a single franchise.
  • 20 seasons with the team, 10 as captain.

5. How Did Ovechkin Break the Greatest Record?

  • Phenomenal Shot: One of the most powerful and accurate in history.
  • Physical Dominance: Played a tough, physical game.
  • Longevity: Remained productive past age 35 (rare for snipers).

Adaptability: Evolved his style, focusing more on net-front play.

6. Goals 890–895: The Final Push

Goal 890: March 30, 2025 vs. Buffalo Sabres

Goal 892: April 2, 2025 vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Goal 894: April 4, 2025 vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Goal 891: April 1, 2025 vs. Boston Bruins

Goal 893: April 4, 2025 vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Goal 895: April 6, 2025 vs. New York Islanders

7. Celebrations

The historic match was watched worldwide. During a Russian Premier League soccer match between CSKA and Dynamo Moscow, the announcer announced Ovechkin’s record, prompting fans to chant his name. The news dominated social media, headlines, and front pages.

Congratulations from Russian Leaders:

  • Vladimir Putin called Ovechkin «a pride of Russian sports,» praising his «perseverance and dedication to hockey.»
  • Dmitry Medvedev (Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council) wrote on Telegram: «Now no one doubts it – you’re the greatest!»  

Hockey Legends:

  • Wayne Gretzky attended the game and participated in the post-game ceremony.
  • Sidney Crosby (rival and friend): «Playing against each other for 20 years and him accomplishing some great things over that time, but this one was probably thought to not be attainable, and he found a way to do it. So, it’s pretty incredible. An amazing moment for him, his family, his teammates, and obviously the whole league»
  • Evgeni Malkin (Russian teammate): «Every year he is in the best shape, he never stops. Bad time, good time, he finds a way to score. If you play 20 years and score 40 goals every year, you’re still not breaking the record. He’s amazing.»

Artemi Panarin, Kirill Kaprizov, Nikita Kucherov, Dmitry Orlov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and others also sent congratulations.

The Russian crew of the ISS «Soyuz MS-27,» all NHL teams, and stars like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Roger Federer, Simone Biles, Snoop Dogg, and Steve Carell shared tributes. Dynamo Moscow’s celebrity fans and Russian musicians also joined the celebrations. The band «Ruki Vverkh!» even released a parody of their hit song «18 Mne Uzhe» («I’m Already 18»), themed around the record, featuring hockey players and actors from the Russian hockey series «Molodyozhka.»

From our editorial team: Congratulations to Alexander on this incredible milestone! 895 goals – a feat that rewrote hockey history. Decades of dedication, a legendary shot, and an unbreakable spirit made the impossible possible. This record is a triumph of Russian sporting excellence on the world stage. Cheers to the greatest sniper!  #Ovechkin895