A journey that started on October 5, 2005 — Alex Ovechkin’s first-ever NHL goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets — reached a historic milestone on April 6, 2025. Over the course of nearly 20 years, goal by goal, the winger has scaled the mammoth 895 figure, going past legend Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals. As the world acknowledges his undisputed greatness, for Washington natives, he has been more than just a record-making superstar. To them, he is one of their own. And the city itself honored the Washington Capitals captain while also making a heartfelt symbolic plea for their favorite son to bring the Cup home.
The Capital One Arena has been in a festive mood since April 6, and that continued on April 11 with the GR8 City Celebration Ceremony, held to commemorate Alex Ovechkin’s immortal legacy. The impact of the 39-year-old left-winger has been so great that the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia recognized his contribution to sports and his remarkable influence on the city of Washington.
As the ceremony was shared by the Washington Capitals on YouTube, we saw chairman Phil Mendelson take the stage to say a few words. For the chairman, this momentous occasion was more special: “Personally, I love hockey very much. I was here Friday night when you tied the record and that was really a great night. I mean, it just felt so warm in this stadium, all of the support, but just how great it felt.”
Mind you, those 2 goals didn’t just tie Ovechkin with Gretzky’s tally; they also helped the Capitals win 5-3 against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 4. As Mr. Mendelson acknowledged, Ovechkin has elevated the game and the Capitals with the “incredible athleticism” that he brings week in, week out. His clattering hits, the way he would let nobody stand in his way, even if it meant having 3739 hits in the NHL as he bulldozed through his defenders.
Well, it’s what defines the Great 8. And the District of Columbia is ever so thankful to him, as conveyed by chairman Phil Mendelson: “This is a proclamation from the Council of the District of Columbia that the Council recognizes and honors Alexander Ovechkin for his extraordinary accomplishments throughout his career with the Washington Capitals, congratulates him on breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL career goals record by scoring his 895th goal on April 6 2025 and commends him for his unparalleled contributions to the sport of hockey, his leadership in bringing the 2018 Stanley Cup championship to Washington and his lasting impact on the pride spirit and identity of the District of Columbia. Thank you so much.”
Ovechkin’s impact is no longer just confined to sports. His influence has impacted the way of life in the capital city. Each record, each goal, each victory driven by his heroics made the city proud. Mr. Mendelson explained why icons like Ovechkin are more than just players. The 895-goal scorer made Washington’s heartbeat. “You know the interplay between professional sports and a city is just fascinating to look at … it means so much to the city and just the interaction – what it does to the psyche of the city.”
When the Capitals win, the city is happy, and more often than not, Alex Ovechkin’s 895 goals have been a key deciding factor in those wins. Mendelson continued, “I just want to end by saying it makes us all feel good. We love it when the Capitals are winning. We love it.” But before he wrapped it up, the honorable Chairman had one wish as a fan that he hopes the Capitals captain will help come true: “We want to see the Stanley Cup here again this year.” Oh, wow. Well, being the highest goal scorer in NHL history comes with responsibilities.
But weirdly enough, the 39-year-old has been thinking on the same wavelength himself.
With history-making distractions gone, Alex Ovechkin rallies his teammates
That the record was all that the city was thinking about showed in the Capitals’ 4-1 defeat to the New York Islanders on April 6. It didn’t matter that they lost. Because the only goal Washington scored was the historic 895th goal of Alex Ovechkin. And also, that the Capitals are at the top of the Eastern Conference. But April 6 ended, and Ovechkin is back to his leader mode.
He didn’t score in the next match against the Carolina Hurricanes, but his call to action was exactly what his teammates needed to break out of the rut. And the result? A hard-fought 5-4 shootout win. After the match, the captain expressed how he is planning for the weeks ahead: “This is the time of year when you have to prepare yourself for big games, and so yeah, I try to set the tone, and I think the boys follow it, so it’s good.”
Just 3 to 4 games left in the regular season. The playoffs start on April 19. A legendary record for Ovechkin, but now the fans want more. How poetic would it be if the Washington Capitals lifted the Stanley Cup the same season Alex Ovechkin became the NHL’s highest goal scorer ever?
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