The Washington Capital star, Alex Ovechkin, received a congratulations message from Russian President Vladimir Putin after breaking the Wayne Gretzky brand for most goals scored all the time.
Ovechkin was born in Moscow and played for Dynamo Moscow from 2001 to 2005 before joining the NHL and was selected in the draft by the capitals.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo through AP)
“I congratulate you for your outstanding record. You have surpassed the legendary teachers in the amount of goals marked in the regular seasonal games of the National Hockey League,” Putin said in a statement through the Kremlin.
He said that breaking Gretzky’s record “has become not only his personal success, but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad.”
“I wish you health, good fortune (and) struggle to conquer new heights in life and sports.”
Washington Capitals to the left Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring his career 895 during the Islanders game in Elmont, New York, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Trevor Zegras de Ducks jokes a unique version of the national anthem contributed to the beginning slow
Ovechkin scored the goal n. ° 895 in the second period against the islanders of New York. He turned the goal into a power game.
“I will probably need a couple of days or maybe a couple of weeks to realize what it means to be number 1,” said Ovechkin after the game. “I am really proud of myself. I am really proud of my family, for all my teammates who help me reach that milestone and for all my coaches. It’s huge. It’s amazing. It’s an incredible moment and I’m happy.”
He noted the goalkeeper of the islanders Ilya Sorokin. He was the 183 journalist in which he scored during his record career.
Wayne Gretzky receives the Washington Capital Ala to Alex Ovechkin during a ceremony after scoring his career 895, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington ended up falling to New York, 4-1.
