Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Alex Ovechkin on goal record
One day after Alex Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time regular-season goal scoring record, the Washington Capitals’ captain was applauded from back home.
In a statement released by the Kremlin on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Ovechkin on his 895th goal, scored Sunday in a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday.
“I congratulate you on your outstanding record,” Putin said. “You have surpassed legendary masters in the number of goals scored in National Hockey League regular-season games.”
Putin added that breaking Gretzky’s record “has become not only your personal success, but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad. I wish you health, good fortune and fighting spirit to conquer new heights in life and in sports.”
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as of Monday, Putin and Ovechkin had not yet spoken.
Ovechkin is the only active NHLer with at least 700 goals, with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby sitting second at 622. Steven Stamkos (579) and Evgeni Malkin (513) are the only other active NHLers to score at least 500. A total of eight NHLers have scored at least 700 career goals. Gordie Howe (801) was the first to ever hit 800, doing so on Feb. 29, 1980.
Over his career, Ovechkin has won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal-scorer nine times. He has the most career power-play goals of any player, scoring 392 of his 895 goals on the man advantage.
Among other notable honors, Ovechkin won the 2006 Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, and led the league with 110 points in 2007-08 – the only Art Ross Trophy of his career. He took home Conn Smythe Trophy honors as the playoff MVP en route to his only Stanley Cup to date in 2018 and is a three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP.
Internationally, Ovechkin has won the World Championship three times and has broken multiple records at various junior international tournaments with Russia.
Ovechkin has one more year left on his contract worth $9.5 million that’ll take him until he’s 40 years old.