Alex Ovechkin has broken a seemingly impossible feat in the NHL, he has become the new all-time career goal leader. Ovechkin’s chase on “The Great One” began the instant his skates touched NHL ice in 2005. Ovenchkin’s first goal happened to be scored against the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes were coached by Wayne Gretzky. Wayne Gretzky is the player with the record Alex Ovechkin was on the chase for. Little did Gretzky know, the same rookie would one day break his ‘impossible’ goal record. Fortunately, Gretzky still holds the record for most goals if you count playoff goals. Ovechkin has 1,016 while Ovechkin has 966. Gretzky still having 50 more goals may seem like a lot, but could still be in jeopardy if Ovechkin decides to return for another season.
Who are Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky?
Alex Ovechkin– Ovechkin is widely known as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history. He can score from anywhere on the Ice but is mainly known for his ‘one timer’ ability. During his 20 seasons, Ovechkin has led the league in goals nine times, led shots on goal 11 times, game-winning goals three times and power play goals six times. In his overall career, Ovechkin has all-time records in statistical categories of goals, power play goals, game-winning goals and shots on goal. During Ovechkin’s 20 years in Washington, he earned awards such as Rookie of the Year and MVP three different times! Ovechkin and the Caps won the Stanley Cup in 2018. That same year, Ovechkin played so well in the playoffs he won MVP of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Wayne Gretzky– Gretzky, known as ‘The Great One,’ is the greatest player in hockey history. Gretzky is known for his goal-scoring and passing abilities that have cemented his name in the record books. If you take away all of Gretzky’s he would still be the all-time points leader. Gretzky has led the league in scoring five times with one of those seasons being a 92 goal year. Gretzky has led the league in assists an astonishing 16 times. Led the league in points 10 times, short-handed goals four times and even strength goals six times. Gretzky has all-time records in assists, points, even strength goals, short handed goals, hat tricks, points per game and assists per game. Gretzky has a very infamous list of awards, consisting of winning four Stanley Cups. In two of those finals, he had won the finals MVP. He also won nine MVPs and five Lady Byng awards for displaying the best sportsmanship in the league throughout those seasons.
What is the GR8 Chase?
The GR8 chase is the pursuit of the all-time NHL Goals Scored record that has just been broken. The GR8 chase got its name from Alex Ovechkin’s number 8 and the historical chase he was on to pass ‘The Great One.’ This record was seen as unbreakable and impossible, given how hard it is to play that well for that long. With goal scoring evolving, it is hard to tell if there will be someone to break this new record. Many people already voiced opinions that Gretzky will never be passed up, which seemed to have only lit a fire underneath Ovechkin. This type of broken record is very rare and very impactful to sports followers around the world.
How did Ovechkin score goal 895?
Ovechkin averaged 49 goals a year for 20 years, which led him to a very important record-breaking moment. The record was complete when Ovechkin sank a wrist shot goal from the top of the left face-off circle on Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin to secure his spot as the NHL’s all time leading goal scorer. The milestone was assisted by forwards Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome. Ovechkin celebrated the shot with a head-first slide towards center ice, where he was greeted by his teammates. After the game, Sorokin gifted Ovechkin the stick he used during the game. In return, Ovi signed pucks for Sorokin, showing the level of respect between the two athletes and a moment they will remember forever.
Wahawks Thoughts
Two West athletes were asked about their thoughts on Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record and this is what they had to say.
West High Sophomore and Waterloo Warriors hockey player Cale Buchan said, “I think it is cool that someone finally broke Gretzky’s long-standing record. It really shows all the hard work and dedication that Ovechkin put into his career to keep this consistency.”
West High Junior and Hockey fan Logan McGilligan stated, “Ovi has officially put himself as one of the greatest players in NHL history breaking the regular season goal record previously held by ‘The Great One’ Wayne Gretzky.”
