Capitals Star Alex Ovechkin Breaks NHL Record for Career Goals Scored

Photo by Martha Lauren Nichols '25

After 20 seasons, Alex Ovechkin has broken the National Hockey League’s (NHL’s) all-time scoring record held by Wayne Gretzky since 1999. Widely regarded as the greatest hockey player to ever live, Gretzky has grasped the record of 894 goals since his retirement 26 years ago.

Since Ovechkin was the first overall draft pick in 2005, people already expected a lot out of him, but nobody could have predicted the goal-scoring machine he became. Additionally, Ovechkin holds the record of most 40-goal seasons in NHL history and is a nine-time winner of the Maurice “the Rocket” Richard trophy, which is awarded to the leading goal scorer in the league. Ovechkin has been the captain of the Washington Capitals for 15 years. 894 goals is a truly remarkable record, as only 48 players in NHL history have ever surpassed the 500-goal mark.

At the beginning of this season, Ovechkin was on track to break the record quickly, but a fractured fibula that caused him to miss 16 games proved to be a setback. Despite his injury, he has been on a goal-scoring tear all season. On April 4, in a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Ovechkin officially tied the record of 894.

Journey Stenerson ’27, who was at the game, commented that “seeing Ovechkin get one step closer to making history brought tears to [her] eyes.”

Finally, in a matchup against the New York Islanders on April 6, Ovechkin scored his 895th goal, surpassing Gretzky’s record. Following the goal, the game paused for a ceremony. According to NPR, Ovechkin was joined by his family and NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman.

Ovechkin’s goal chase has excited fans throughout the school and the DMV. Martha Lauren Nichols ’25 said, “All hockey fans stood for Ovechkin on [the day he beat the record], and I am so happy that the community has something to celebrate.”