Alex Ovechkin achieved a landmark moment on April 6 by scoring his 895th NHL goal, surpassing Wayne Gretzky to claim the all-time goals record. Despite this historic achievement, the 39-year-old Washington Capitals star remains focused on the current stage of his career rather than dwelling on the past.
As Ovechkin completed this nearly two-decade journey to becoming the NHL’s leading scorer, he reflected on the experience in an interview with Championat’s Vladislav Kruglov, stating that fully appreciating the milestone will come only after he retires.
Ovechkin Reflects on the Role of Family and Support
Ovechkin acknowledged the support system that helped fuel his success, highlighting the impact of his family, friends, and team. He expressed gratitude and a sense of fulfillment toward the career he built over many years.
“The realization of the record will come when I finish my career,”
Ovechkin said, as translated by Google Translate.
“Mine is still going on. But I see the excitement around me. I understand that it’s really cool. People watched, cheered, worried. Everyone who comes up to me really knows that this happened.”
He emphasized the emotional weight of the moment has yet to fully sink in.
“I understand that thanks to my family, father, mother, wife, friends, team, I did it. I realize that I have a wonderful career when this drive passes. And now I just see that there is hype. Were there tears of joy? I will cry later.”
Future Plans Remain Open with One Year Left on Contract
Ovechkin’s contract with the Capitals runs through the 2025-26 season, which could potentially be his final in the NHL. The veteran winger has indicated that he intends to complete this season before deciding on his future.
“Would I like to stay at the club? A year will pass, and we will think about it,”
Ovechkin said in July.
We will live and see.
Entering his 21st NHL campaign, Ovechkin is poised to become the first player to reach 900 career goals, needing just three more. Additionally, he is nine games shy of joining the elite group of 23 players who have played 1,500 NHL games.
Ovechkin’s Approach: Taking It One Game at a Time
The forward’s mindset emphasizes living in the present, a pattern seen consistently throughout his career and most recently as he approached and surpassed Gretzky’s record. When asked to name his top three goals, Ovechkin did not include the record-breaking one, underscoring his focus on each individual performance rather than milestones.
Potential Records Beyond the NHL Goal Milestone
If Ovechkin extends his career beyond the 2025-26 season, he has opportunities to break additional scoring records. These include Wayne Gretzky’s combined total of regular-season and playoff goals (1,016) and Jaromir Jagr’s all-time professional goal record of 1,106 goals, which stands as a testament to longevity and scoring prowess in professional hockey.