Wayne Gretzky was present at UBS Arena on April 6, 2025, when Washington Capitals’ left wing Alexander Ovechkin scored his record-breaking 895th NHL goal. “The Great One” jumped to his feet in celebration as Ovechkin’s shot found the back of the net.
Gretzky also presented Ovechkin with a special commemorative painting during an on-ice ceremony to mark the occasion.
More recently, the NHL legend went into a little bit more detail on how he felt when Ovechkin racked up #895.
Wayne Gretzky Opens Up About Alexander Ovechkin Surpassing His Record
Gretzky has not been shy about encouraging the Russian forward to scale even greater heights. Appearing on the “New Heights” podcast hosted by NFL stars and brothers Travis and Jason Kelce, Gretzky shared his inner thoughts about Ovechkin going past 894 goals.
“We got to Manhattan and got to see him (Ovechkin) play against the Islanders. When he scored the goal, part of me was like, I was really looking forward to going back to Washington. But we knew eventually he was going to break the record,” Gretzky said.
“He’s just a wonderful young man, and I think his ownership group, the hockey club, and his teammates, all of whom he played with… I think he deserves the record. I am proud and privileged that he broke it. And I am happy to say he’s a good friend.”
The NHL legend also talked about the time he went past Gordie Howe’s record in 1994 and how his father had given him a valuable piece of advice.
“After I broke Gordie Howe’s record, I was having dinner with my dad and I said in some ways I was embarrassed. It was a different time and a different era when Gordie played. He was such an icon, and he was my idol, and in some ways, I was guilty.
“I remember my dad saying, ‘You just have the same dignity and the same respect that Gordie Howe has for you, and he’s truly happy for you. So, when somebody breaks your record, you’d be as classy as Howe was.’ I just looked at my dad and said, “Can I just enjoy it a little bit?'”
How Alex Ovechkin Scored Goal No. 895
Fittingly, Ovechkin scored the record-breaking goal from his favorite spot on the ice – the left face-off circle. With 7:26 remaining in the second period and the Capitals on a power play against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin collected Capitals forward Tom Wilson’s pass and unleashed a blistering wrist shot past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin. The 39-year-old Russian forward skated to the center line and slid on his chest after taking a swan dive onto the ice in celebration.
He was quickly mobbed by his teammates as the game was halted for the special tribute ceremony. Speaking to the crowd, Ovechkin credited his teammates and the collective effort behind his milestone.
“It’s a team sport. Without my boys… I would never stand there, and obviously I would never pass a great one. We did it, boys, we did it,” Ovechkin said via NHL.com.
Despite suffering a broken fibula in November 2024 that sidelined him for 16 games, Ovechkin scored 43 goals and had 29 assists in the regular season. He helped the Capitals finish on top of the Eastern Conference.
