When Wayne Gretzky retired, many viewed his NHL records as unbeatable. Throughout arguably the best NHL career of all time, Gretzky scored 894 goals—more than anyone else. Now, however, Alex Ovechkin has beaten the record.
Ovechkin had an unstoppable start of the 2024-2025 season, leading the Capitals to an impressive and surprising 9-3 record in their first twelve games. The Russian superstar has always been a goal-scoring machine, but 2023-2024 he started slowly, taking 34 games to reach seven goals.
Five-game goal streak
Last year though, it only took him eleven games, and he went on a five-game goal streak. During his run, Ovechkin scored six goals, including the game-winner against the Nashville Predators, that brought closer to The Great One’s all-time record – eventually breaking it in 2025.
Gretzky refused to give Alex Ovechkin a stick
Last season, Wayne Gretzky appeared on NHL on TNT and, of course, had the opportunity to discuss Ovechkin’s pursuit of his record. The Great One stated that it’s a great thing for hockey when—Wayne made sure to say “when,” not “if”—Ovechkin eventually would break the record. Gretzky also shared a memorable story from years ago about a special request Ovi had for him.
Alexander Ovechkin is known for having one of hockey’s most impressive stick collections, which he’s been building since his rookie season. Some of the sticks are autographed, some have personalized messages to Ovi, and the collection even includes game-used sticks from Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
READ MORE: How Wayne Gretzky changed Mario Lemieux’s entire career
Got a call
However, Ovechkin’s quest for The Great One’s stick wasn’t easy; he had to pull off an enormous achievement to obtain it.
On the TNT broadcast, Gretzky revealed that when Ovechkin first asked about a game-used stick from the GOAT, Gretzky responded that he’d only give it to him if he won the Stanley Cup. The Capitals finally achieved this in 2018, and it didn’t take long afterward for Gretzky to get a call from Ovechkin.
”When he won the Stanley Cup, the next day he said, ’Can I get that stick?’ I think he should’ve enjoyed the Cup more than my stick,” Gretzky said, laughing.
