Putin Congratulates Alex Ovechkin After Breaking NHL Record

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin has officially etched his name into NHL history, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals scored all-time. And among the flood of congratulations, one message stood out—a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin himself.

Ovechkin, who hails from Moscow and previously played for Dynamo Moscow before making the leap to the NHL, received high praise from Putin through the Kremlin. The Russian leader commended Ovechkin for surpassing legendary players and described this feat as a "real celebration" for fans both in Russia and around the globe.

"I congratulate you on your outstanding record. You have surpassed legendary masters in the number of goals scored in National Hockey League regular-season games," Putin’s message read. He also wished Ovechkin health, good fortune, and continued success in reaching new heights, both in sports and in life.

Ovechkin’s historic goal—goal No. 895—came during the second period of a game against the New York Islanders, scored on a power play against goalie Ilya Sorokin. Fun fact: Sorokin is the 183rd different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on during his remarkable run. That’s practically a goalie collector’s card set right there.

After achieving the milestone, Ovechkin reflected on the moment’s significance. "I’m probably gonna need a couple more days or maybe a couple weeks to realize what does it mean to be No. 1," he shared. "I’m really proud for myself, my family, my teammates who helped me reach this milestone, and my coaches. It’s huge. It’s unbelievable. It’s an unbelievable moment, and I’m happy."

Despite the historical achievement, the Capitals couldn’t capitalize on the energy of the night and fell to the Islanders with a final score of 4-1. But let’s be honest, this game will be remembered for Ovechkin’s achievement, not the scoreboard.