Alex Ovechkin continues to redefine what longevity and excellence mean in hockey. His 901 career goals not only secure his place in NHL history but also stand as a symbol of consistency that has stretched across two decades with the Washington Capitals. Few players have managed to sustain their scoring touch so deep into their careers.
His 900th goal drew admiration from those who once set the very standards Ovechkin now surpasses. Among them is Wayne Gretzky, the man whose records once seemed untouchable.
What Did Wayne Gretzky Say About Ovechkin’s 900-Goal Milestone?
Last Wednesday, when Alex Ovechkin hit the 900-goal mark, the hockey world paused to celebrate. The Capitals captain became the first player in NHL history to reach that number, a feat few imagined possible in the modern game. His goal against the St. Louis Blues added another chapter to an already legendary career, extending his NHL record for game-winning goals to 138.
Wayne Gretzky, who long held the top spot in the goal-scoring record books, reacted to Ovechkin’s achievement during a segment on NHL on TNT. A clip of Gretzky was played live, originally recorded on April 6. In that clip, he made a promise to Ovechkin:
“Oh, get to 900. You get to 900, I might buy you a car.”
After the clip, the studio burst into laughter, with Liam McHugh joking about “dug up the tapes,” while Paul Bissonnette teased, “Get him a used one.” Gretzky joined in on the humor before shifting to genuine praise for Ovechkin’s career, saying,
“If he keeps going, he could get to 1,000. The sky’s the limit for him. He’s probably the greatest goal scorer ever, and to get 900 goals, that’s hard to do.”
Earlier in April, Ovechkin’s 894th goal had brought him level with Gretzky’s career total in exactly 1,487 games, the same number the “Great One” played. Gretzky was there in person to shake Ovechkin’s hand and congratulate him and his family on the accomplishment.
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“They say records are made to be broken,” Gretzky said at the time. “But I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.”
Ovechkin’s milestone season continues to show his durability, which has defined his career. At 40, he remains an essential part of Washington’s offense, logging around 18 minutes per game and contributing four goals and eight assists for 12 points through 16 contests. His trademark shot, still among the hardest and most accurate in the league, remains a threat every time he’s on the ice.
