Ovechkin, Capitals celebrate NHL goals record in pregame ceremony

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin felt the love again for passing Wayne Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time leader in goals.

Ovechkin celebrated his record-breaking goal on home ice this time when the Washington Capitals honored him during a ceremony prior to playing the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on Thursday.

Washington fans saw Ovechkin score his 893rd and 894th goals in a 5-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena last Friday, but he scored his 895th goal to pass Gretzky on the road in a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Sunday. Although a large contingent of Capitals fans made the trip to New York for that game, this was their chance to laud the 39-year-old left wing in the arena that’s been his home for his entire 20-season NHL career.

“I think it’s important to celebrate the milestone with our fans in our building,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said after the Capitals morning skate Thursday. “We want to do that the right way and the organization always does a first-class job of those ceremonies and honoring milestones.”

Gretzky held the NHL goals record since scoring his 802nd to pass Gordie Howe on March 23, 1994. Gretzky retired in 1999 with 894 goals in 1,487 games during his 20 NHL seasons.

Ovechkin scored his 895th goal in his 1,487th game.

“From the moment Alex Ovechkin stepped onto the ice, he has been an overwhelming force,” said Joe Beninati, the Monumental Sports Network play-by-play announcer who served as emcee for the ceremony. “He has given his all to this city, his team and for the game. He has made an immeasurable impact on the sport in the region, starting at the grassroots level. He’s inspired countless young boys and girls to play and fall in love with this game and, with 895 goals. he’s broken a record that many believed would never be touched.

“With every goal, with each iconic celebration, he has proven no challenge is too great, no record too tall. He’s our captain in all caps, all ours, and now he’s the greatest goal-scorer in history.”

Ovechkin was joined on the ice for the ceremony by his wife, Nastya, sons Sergei, 6, and Ilya, 4, mother Tatyana and father-in-law Kirill Shubsky, along with Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan. Following a video showing Ovechkin scoring his 895th goal and the on-ice celebration that followed, Ovechkin and his family received a host of gifts.

Capitals alternate captains John Carlson and Tom Wilson presented the Ovechkin family with flowers. On behalf of the organization, MacLellan gave Ovechkin an engraved gold stick commemorating breaking Gretzky's record. Sergei and Ilya received gold mini sticks.

Ovechkin also received a six-foot sculptural painting from TYP, a Detroit, Michigan, based artist, shaped like a puck with his image on it, the title “Most Goals All Time” across the top and “895 Alex Ovechkin 895” across the bottom. The piece featured a concrete cast of Ovechkin’s skates painted on canvas, along with an actual pair of his yellow-laced skates hanging around his neck, and one of his game-used sticks.

Leonsis presented Ovechkin and his mother with Rolex watches and Nastya with a Cartier watch.

“It’s great," Ovechkin said. "Those numbers, it’s pretty big and, to see all those people who came here to celebrate with us, it’s a pretty big moment.”

Ovechkin had already been gifted with a painting from sports artist Tony Harris that was presented to him by Commissioner Gary Bettman after he scored his record-breaking 895th goal at 7:26 of the second period on Sunday.

The ceremony ended with a team photo around Ovechkin before the Hurricanes players lined up to shake Ovechkin’s hand one by one. Former Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov was last in line and embraced Ovechkin with a big hug.

The festivities will continue when Ovechkin is honored at the GR8 City Celebration at Capital One Arena on Friday. Ovechkin is scheduled to appear along with Leonsis and injured Capitals forwards Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. The fan event was originally to be held at Union Station but was moved to the arena to accommodate more fans who wanted to attend.