By Miles Prusek

On December 23, 2022, in a game against the Winnipeg Jets, 37-year-old Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored his second goal of the night and the 802nd of his career. With that goal, he passed Gordie Howe and became the second-highest scoring player in the NHL. 

Ovechkin, who was born in Moscow, Russia, started his career in 2004. He was drafted first overall by the Capitals and has spent his entire 18 year career in Washington. He has had a historic career so far, which has earned him numerous awards. He has been awarded the Art Ross Trophy once, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy nine times, the Ted Lindsay Award three times, the Hart Memorial Trophy three times, the Conn Smythe Trophy once, and the Calder Memorial Trophy once. He also led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup championship in the 2017-2018 season. 

Ovechkin skating with the puck. Photo credit: All Pro Reels via flickr.

This season, Ovechkin has scored 30 goals, tied for fourth in the league, and his 810 career goals put him only 84 behind Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, who has held the record for the last 24 years. Ovechkin’s chase is coming into the spotlight this season, as he became the third player in history to reach the 800 goal mark and now is closing in on the all-time record. 

Gretzky and Howe are the only other players accompanying Ovechkin in the 800 goal club. Gretzky played 20 seasons, from 1979-1999, won four Stanley Cup championships, logged 1,487 games, and holds the current record with 894 goals scored. Howe played for 26 seasons, from 1946-1971, and a final season in 1980, won four Stanley Cups, logged 1,767 games, and scored 801 goals. Both of these players are regarded as some of the best players to have ever played hockey, but Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.

“The GR8 Chase” is Ovechkin’s trademarked slogan referring to his chase for the all-time goal record. Image credit: Alex Ovechkin.

With Ovechkin passing Howe, and now closing in on Gretzky’s record, he is entered into the debate as one of the greatest players to have played the game. This idea of greatness has been trademarked by Ovechkin and his family, with the creation of the slogan “THE GR8 CHASE.” This slogan is a reference to his number, eight, Gretzky’s nickname, “The Great One,” and Ovechkin’s chase of Gretzky’s goal record. 

Gretzky has shown his support for Ovechkin by saying, “I think we’re past the point of if he’s going to do it… It’s great for the game. It’s a positive and I think that it couldn’t happen to a better person. He’s been great for our sport.” This support shows that the hockey world is rooting for Ovechkin. He is bringing attention to the sport, and he is entering himself into the conversation of the greatest player of all time. 

Ovechkin holding the Stanley Cup. Photo credit: The Washington Post and Thomas Cizauskas via flickr.

Some hockey fans have already entered Ovechkin into the debate for the greatest of all time, or put him close to that category. Avid hockey fan Sam Hurst (‘24) was asked his opinion on Ovechkin, and if Ovechkin could ever be considered the greatest of all time. Hurst said, “Every game Ovechkin plays in is a barn burner. I think if he passes Gretzky, then he has to at least be in the debate for greatest of all time.” Ovechkin is known for his goal scoring ability and his classic one timer shots from the left circle. This style of play leads to many goals and an exciting game for any fan to watch. 

Ovechkin’s career has been filled with highlight plays and amazing stat lines, but a few moments stick out from the rest. One of these was an acrobatic goal that came from a game in January 2006, during Ovechkin’s rookie season. The Capitals faced off against the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Capitals were leading the game 5-1 in the third period. With around 8 minutes left in the period, Ovechkin took the puck and advanced into the offensive zone. There, he was met by a Coyote defenseman who knocked Ovechkin off his skates and onto his back. Somehow Ovechkin kept control of the puck and scored from the ground. This goal was an amazing highlight, and it defined Ovechkin’s uncanny ability to score in any scenario. Another moment that stands out from Ovechkin’s career is when he led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup. During these playoffs, he did not only lead his team to a championship, but he also scored 15 goals and recorded 12 assists to earn the playoff MVP Conn Smythe Trophy. 

Ovechkin is on contract with the Capitals through the next three years. If he can keep up his career pace for goals, he should be able to catch and pass Gretzky. If this were to happen, Ovechkin would cement an incredible career with what many consider the greatest accomplishment any player could have. 

Featured Image photo credit: clydeorama via flickr.