Alex Ovechkin was officially honored this week by the Russian Book of Records for becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, a milestone that marked a historic moment for both the player and Russian hockey. The landmark was recognized on April 18, 2025, after Ovechkin scored his 897th career goal, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding record.
The Russian Book of Records, affiliated with the World Book of Records and based in Moscow, presented Ovechkin with two framed certificates celebrating his accomplishment. He appeared in an Instagram post alongside Stanislav Konenko, the book’s founder and editor-in-chief, commemorating the achievement and highlighting its significance for Russian sport and national pride.
Details Behind the Historic Goal-Scoring Milestone
Ovechkin set the record during the 2024-25 NHL regular season in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he scored his 44th and final goal of the season. This marked the third time within weeks that Ovechkin had extended his own record after initially breaking Gretzky’s total with goal number 895 against the New York Islanders on April 6.
With the record now at 897 goals, Ovechkin is expected to continue growing this total during the upcoming 2025-26 season, standing just three goals away from reaching the unprecedented 900-goal milestone. Experts anticipate that the Russian Book of Records will need to update its entries repeatedly as Ovechkin approaches other historic NHL career marks, including Gretzky’s combined regular season and playoff goals total of 1,016.
Ovechkin’s Journey and Future Prospects
At 39, Ovechkin achieved this feat despite having missed 40 days earlier in the season due to a broken fibula. He is preparing to return to the United States after a period spent in Russia with his family, which included participation in notable exhibition games such as the Match of the Year and the Ovi Cup gala match.
Approaching his 21st NHL season, Ovechkin still plays under his current Washington Capitals contract through 2025-26 but has not confirmed any plans regarding retirement or contract extension. This uncertainty adds to the anticipation surrounding how much further he might extend the Alex Ovechkin NHL goal record.
Significance of Ovechkin’s Record in Hockey History
The recognition by the Russian Book of Records not only cements Alex Ovechkin’s place as a legendary athlete in NHL history but also marks a moment of pride for Russian sports globally. As stated by Stanislav Konenko in the Instagram post,
“The legendary captain of the Washington Capitals has officially entered the Russian Book of Records for the most goals scored by a player in NHL regular seasons,”
—Stanislav Konenko, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Russian Book of Records
“897 goals — a historic achievement that has already become a symbol of perseverance, consistency, and athletic prowess. Alexander Ovechkin didn’t just break Wayne Gretzky’s record — he has already rewritten hockey history on behalf of Russia. These are not just numbers. They are years of training, hundreds of games, thousands of shots, and millions of fans inspired by his play. Alexander Ovechkin has now officially become a part of national history.”
—Stanislav Konenko, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Russian Book of Records
Ovechkin’s record-breaking performance underscores his relentless dedication and positions him among hockey’s all-time greats, with fans and analysts alike eager to see the remaining chapters of his historic career unfold.