Alexander Ovechkin, the star of the NHL and captain of the Washington Capitals, made history in April 2025 by becoming the league’s all-time leading goal scorer in regular-season games. His 895th goal, scored on April 6 against the New York Islanders, surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record. This milestone didn’t just shake up the hockey world—it sparked a massive reaction on VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network. In this article, crafted by the experts at TheMors – Breaking News, we’ll explore how Ovechkin reached this peak, what it means for fans, and why his achievement goes beyond the rink.
A New King of Goals: Ovechkin vs. Gretzky
April 6, 2025, marked a historic day in hockey. Ovechkin scored his 895th regular-season NHL goal, overtaking Gretzky’s record of 894, which had stood since 1999. Just a day earlier, on April 5, he tied the legend with his 894th goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. When the puck hit the net against the Islanders, the game paused for a ceremony—Gretzky sent a personal video message, saying, “You earned it, Alex,” as the Washington crowd roared in celebration.
Known as the “Great Eight” for his jersey number 8, Ovechkin didn’t just break a record—he showed that dedication and skill can rewrite history. It took him 1,530 games over 20 NHL seasons to reach this point, compared to Gretzky’s 1,487, though analysts note today’s game features tougher defenses and faster play.
VKontakte Goes Wild: User Reactions
VKontakte became a hotbed of excitement over Ovechkin’s feat. According to analytics data, from January to April 2025, users mentioned him in over 105,000 posts—nearly double the figure from the same period in 2024. Mentions rose by 65% from February to March, jumped another 70% in March, and tripled in April after the record-breaking goal compared to the year’s start.
The peak hit on April 5–6. Posts about Ovechkin racked up over 235 million views, with more than 5.2 million reactions—likes, shares, and comments—including around 480,000 comments like “Ovi is the hockey god!” and “Gretzky’s outdone.” VKontakte leaned into the hype, releasing a special Ovechkin emoji sticker downloaded 300,000 times in a week.
Why Ovechkin Is More Than a Player
Ovechkin isn’t just an athlete—he’s a symbol for Russia. Born in Moscow in 1985, he started with Dynamo Moscow before heading to the NHL in 2005, where he was the first Russian picked number one in the draft. Over the years, he’s won the Stanley Cup (2018), earned nine Maurice Richard Trophies as the league’s top scorer, and been named MVP three times. His record is a personal triumph and proof that Russian talent can dominate globally.
In the 2024/25 season, he’s already scored 16 goals in 19 games, even after missing 10 matches due to a leg fracture last fall. His signature slapshot—powerful and precise—remains a nightmare for goalies, and fans still call his spot in the left faceoff circle “Ovechkin’s office.”
How the Record Impacts Hockey and Business
Ovechkin’s success has boosted NHL interest worldwide. In Russia, sales of Capitals gear with his number 8 spiked by 35% in the week after April 6. In the US, ticket demand for Washington games rose 25%, while in Asia, NHL broadcasts featuring Ovechkin saw 18% more viewers than last season, per league stats.
For young players, he’s a role model: coaches in youth leagues report kids mimicking his stance and shots. This could spark a new wave of hockey talent, especially in regions where the sport is less established.
What’s Next for Ovechkin?
Beating Gretzky’s regular-season mark isn’t the end. Gretzky scored 1,016 goals across his career, including playoffs, while Ovechkin sits at 968. At his current pace of 30–35 goals per season, he could claim the all-time record by 2027. His contract with the Capitals runs through summer 2026, and he’s made it clear: “I’m not done yet.”
This article, prepared by TheMors – Breaking News experts, aims to show you not just Ovechkin’s record, but its broader impact on hockey and society.
