With just over 12 minutes remaining in the second period of a 2–0 game against the New York Islanders, Alexander Ovechkin gathered a pass in the top left corner of the offensive zone and ripped a shot past goaltender Ilya Sorokin. It was a shot he’s taken thousands of times before, and one he’s scored on nearly as often. This time, though, it was historic. It marked his 895th career goal, officially surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky for the most goals scored in NHL history. This goal wasn’t just a milestone in hockey—it carried even deeper meaning. It was a moment that not only cemented Ovechkin’s place among the all-time greats, but also brought hope and inspiration to those fighting childhood cancer.

The Phenom

From a young age, Alexander Ovechkin had a fascination with the game of hockey. His parents, both Olympic athletes, saw that their son could excel at hockey when he picked up his first stick at the age of two. By the time he was 16, he was playing professionally with Dynamo Moscow in the highest division of Russian hockey. In 2004, he was drafted by the Washington Capitals. The 19-year-old took the league by storm, scoring 106 points in the 2005 season and earning Rookie of the Year honors.

Over the next twenty seasons, he would build out one of the greatest résumés in the history of the sport—becoming a three-time league MVP, a 13-time All-Star, and leading the NHL in scoring nine times. He also tied with Wayne Gretzky for the most 50-goal seasons in league history, holds the record for most opening goals and most power-play goals in the NHL, and is a Stanley Cup champion.

The Gr8 Chase

Coming into the 2025 season, there was one more record to break: the Wayne Gretzky career goal record—a record that, just a few years ago, Ovechkin admitted would be impossible for him to break.

“ It was (a) tremendous moment for hockey, for myself,  for Capitals organization, for all fans, obviously for my family and you know, no one thought this (was)going to be broken but it’s just (a) tremendous moment for hockey and myself.” he told Good Morning America.

Coming into the 2024 season, Ovechkin had 853 goals. He started the season on fire, with 18 goals in the first 15 games, until he was sidelined with a broken fibula for over a month. Despite the injury, by early March the record was in sight. On March 5th, with 10 goals left, he announced he was partnering with the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research and would donate an amount equal to his career goal total for every goal he scores during the remainder of his NHL career. His donation is also being matched by Monumental Sports & Entertainment.Hide trimmed content

“I’m proud to join the V Foundation and support their efforts to fund lifesaving cancer research,” Ovechkin told the V Foundation. “Throughout my NHL career, I have met many brave kids battling cancer, and I feel it’s important to do what I can to help save more lives from this horrible disease. I want to thank the V Foundation for all their hard work, and I look forward to using my platform and doing anything I can to help further the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer’s mission.”

In a fitting end to a historic campaign, Ovechkin had a goal and an assist against the Pittsburgh Penguins and his draft mate and fellow generational talent, Sidney Crosby. This goal brought his total to 44 on the season and 897th of his career.

Ovechkin also announced that he will be returning for the final year of his contract next season. In the playoffs, he will look to build on his career goal total and continue to support those battling cancer. If you would like to join Ovechkin’s fight against cancer, you can find more information here.

The Capitals will take on the Canadiens in Game One of the first round of the playoffs on April 21st.

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