Alex Ovechkin has etched his name in NHL history, becoming the league`s top goal scorer. On Sunday, he scored his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky for the most goals of all time.
In the second period, during a power play, Ovechkin received a pass from Tom Wilson and fired a wrist shot past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin. The crowd, including opposing fans at UBS Arena, erupted in cheers as Ovechkin celebrated on the ice.
Following the goal, an on-ice ceremony took place, featuring speeches from both Gretzky and Ovechkin and a video tribute from major sports figures.
After the game, Ovechkin spoke to reporters about the feeling of passing `The Great One,` the presence of former teammates, and the relief of achieving the record after much anticipation.
Here`s what Ovechkin shared in his postgame press conference after setting the all-time goals record:
On breaking Wayne Gretzky`s record:
“Honestly, even when I tied the record, it felt unreal. It was incredibly emotional and a fantastic night. But this is even more unbelievable. I think it will take me days, maybe weeks, to truly grasp what it means to be number one.”
“I am incredibly proud of myself, my family, teammates, and coaches who have all supported me in reaching this milestone. It`s a monumental and unforgettable moment.”
On the pressure being lifted:
“Yes, finally I won`t have to answer questions about when I`ll break the record! It`s done, so now you`ll have to find something else to ask. For me and the team, this is a joyous occasion. Seeing so many people travel from around the world to witness this moment is truly special.”
On Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin giving him his stick:
“I immediately told him, `I need that stick.`… He didn`t ask for anything in return.”
On his celebratory slide after the goal:
“The ice wasn`t great today. I fell, but I think it made for a cool moment. It was fun.”
On the attention brought to hockey:
“It`s amazing. It`s great for hockey, for D.C., for Washington, and for us to be part of this. I`m sure there`s a huge celebration happening in D.C. right now. And back home in Russia, people are celebrating and happy. I`m just happy to be a part of it.”
On teammates Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie being there:
“When I saw Nicky, I almost cried. He`s been such a significant part of my success. We`ve grown up and played together, been through so much. Having him and Oshie there in that moment was incredible. Their support has always been there. I told them, `Without you, I would never have reached this milestone.`”
On Sorokin congratulating him after the goal:
“Before the game, Dylan Strome and I were talking about how I`d never scored on him before. I think I`ve only played against him a couple of times. It`s a unique moment, a Russian scoring against a Russian to break the record. It`s pretty special. He`s a great guy, and my kids love him. It`s a tremendous moment and day for hockey.”
On Tom Wilson assisting on the record-breaking goal:
“He`s an incredible person, capable of anything. He can fight, handle any situation. I`m thrilled for him and for Strome. Strome is probably one of the happiest people because he loves stats and history and wanted to be part of this.”
On his mindset during the power play:
“Throughout the first period, we had good opportunities, but Sorokin made great saves. I just focused on each game and each shift. Tom made a fantastic pass, I shot, and it went in.”
On the congratulatory video from stars like LeBron James and Michael Jordan:
“Having legends like that in a video for me is incredible. It`s something I`ll cherish forever, and I`m grateful to them for it. I`m happy and looking forward to going home.”
