Written by: Samantha Roseff
31 years later we now have a new record. Alexander Ovechkin is officially the top goalscorer in the NHL after surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s record. Making the new record 895 goals.
To celebrate Ovechkin had belly flopped across the ice, which is fitting for the 39-year old as he is still as youthful as he had back when he was 20 in his NHL debut. During his debut game against Columbus Blue Jackets on October 5th, 2005 he had scored twice.
After the record breaking goal the game was paused for a 15 minute ceremony, with NHL Commissioner Grey Bettman and Wayne Gretzky.
Bettman opened up to say, “we have all just witnessed history… Wayne, you’ll always be ‘The Great One’ and you had a record nobody ever thought could be broken, but Alex, you did it.”
“They say records are meant to be broken but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.” Wayne Gretzky stated.
Wayne Gretzky has had his far share of NHL goal records. Back in 1994, grezky scored his 801st goal to tie the record with Gordie Howe, while playing for the Los Angeles Kings. Then just 3 days later, Grezky scored his 802nd goal to pass Howe.
He retired at after the 1998-99 season with 894 goals in 1,487 games during his 20 active seasons. Gretzky has played for the Edmonton Oliers, Kings, St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers. Ovechkin coincidentally scored 895 goals, in the same 1,487 games over 20 seasons, only with the Capitals.
Alex Ovechkin isn’t only holding one NHL record, but 7 total.
- Overtime Goals (27)
- Game-Opening Goals (149)
- Go-Ahead Goals (291)
- Game-Winning Goals (136)
- Power-Play Goals (325)
We will be seeing more of the Capitals and Ovechkin as they will be moving on to playoffs. But one question remains, will this new record ever be broken?
