On April 6, Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th NHL goal against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena, surpassing Wayne Gretzky to become hockey’s all-time leading goal scorer. The milestone took place during the second period on a power play with Tom Wilson making the final pass and Dylan Strome assisting as well.
The significance of Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal resonated throughout the hockey world, with Strome discussing the extraordinary moment during his July 21 appearance on First Up. He revealed how frequently people congratulated him over the summer and how even casual fans brought up the assist.
“It’s something that’s always going to be there,” he said (03:28 onwards).
For Strome, being part of this landmark goal is a lasting memory he will cherish.
Ovechkin’s Resilience on the Road to the Record
Ovechkin’s climb to this record was marked by perseverance, especially after he sustained a broken leg on November 18 and had to miss multiple games. At that point, he trailed Gretzky by 27 goals, causing many to doubt he could reach the milestone within the season. Nevertheless, Ovechkin returned with determination, scoring five goals in his final six games.
He concluded the season with 44 goals and 73 points, tying for third among NHL goal scorers. Strome praised Ovechkin’s mindset that season, saying,
“He was a man on a mission.”
Despite the magnitude of the achievement, Strome admitted he was surprised at how often the assist on the historic goal remains part of ongoing conversations.
“It’s pretty surreal that you get put in the same conversation as that goal,” he said.
At 39 years old, Ovechkin achieved the status of NHL’s all-time leading scorer. Following the record-breaking game, he expressed that it would take time to grasp its full meaning.
“I’m probably gonna need a couple more days or maybe a couple weeks to realize what does it mean to be No. 1…It’s unbelievable moment, and I’m happy,” Ovechkin said (via apnews.com).
In the playoffs that followed, Ovechkin maintained his offensive prowess, scoring five goals and adding one assist in ten games.
Ovechkin’s Moscow Visit and Hopes for Russia’s Return in International Sports
Following the record, Ovechkin visited Moscow on Saturday, where he met fans, marking his first trip since setting the all-time NHL goal record, now standing at 897 goals. During his visit, he expressed hope for the return of Russian athletes to compete internationally. Russia’s participation in world sports has been limited since 2022, following the Ukraine conflict.
“I hope that in the near future we will be allowed to participate,” Alex Ovechkin said to AFP News, via Moscow Times. “And the guys will be able to take part in Olympiads and world championships to represent their country,”
Ovechkin hopes to represent Russia again before retiring, reflecting his desire to compete at the highest levels on both a national and global stage despite ongoing challenges.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Alex Ovechkin missing a tooth?
A. Alexander Ovechkin, who leads the Washington Capitals, often loses teeth during games and chooses not to have them repaired.