Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal on Sunday, overtaking Wayne Gretzky’s decades old record for most goals by one player. Ovechkin gave the Capitals a reason to celebrate despite losing 4-1 to the New York Islanders.
How Ovechkin Became a Local Hero
The Capitals drafted Alex Ovechkin during the 2003-04 draft and it quickly became clear that he was a star. Ovechkin went on to win rookie of the year, multiple Hart trophies for best NHL player, a Stanley Cup, and the Rocket Richard Award for most goals scored nine times.
The ‘Ovi’ Effect
Long before he became NHL’s all-time goal leader, Ovechkin’s success helped trigger an explosion of hockey in the DMV. Many young players in the region credit the “Ovi Effect" for inspiring them to play. In fact, the number of registered hockey players in USA Hockey's Potomac Valley Region — which includes D.C., Maryland and Virginia — saw a 71% increase during Ovechkin’s rookie season.
He’s also been a mainstay in the D.C. community. He helped win a car for the NoVa Cool Cats Special Hockey organization, a hockey club for kids with special needs. He has done clinics with the local hockey club the Fort Dupont Cannons, and during his chase to surpass Gretzky has donated to multiple cancer foundations.
Alex Ovechkin embraces former record holder Wayne Gretzky as Gretzky's wife looks on after Ovechkin breaks the NHL scoring record with 895 goals. (Washington Post/Getty Images)
Ovechkin’s Legacy
Although Ovechkin may never reach Gretzky’s points mark of 2,857 points (a mark that blows all other players out of the water), the D.C. sports icon has grabbed a goal record many thought was impossible to beat. But that might take awhile. Some of the NHL’s younger stars like Auston Matthews and Leon Draisaitl are just about to crack 400, not even half of Ovechkin’s 895.
So, enjoy history while you still can. But you better save up for the tickets; some of the pricing for the final home games is outrageous.
