Alex Ovechkin became the new NHL goals king on April 6, 2025 after scoring the 895th goal of his career against the New York Islanders.
Kolzig registered 17 points during his 17-year career in the NHL, passing or touching the puck before five of Ovechkin’s 895 career tallies. He’s also one of five Capitals netminders to assist on an Ovi goal, joining Tomas Vokoun (1), Michal Neuvirth (1), Jose Theodore (1), and Braden Holtby (1).
Ovechkin has routinely credited his teammates for helping him get to the milestone, and Capitals development coach Olie Kolzig recently proved those aren’t just empty words.
“I text the Gr8 congratulations and he responds by telling me I’m part of his history,” Kolzig said in a viral tweet. “I’m like haha, you scored on me once. He says, no, you assisted on 5 of my goals. How does he know that? I didn’t know that. Says all you need to know about the greatest goal scorer NHL history.”
All five of Kolzig’s apples were secondary assists and came during road games between 2005 and 2008.
Ovi goals Olie assisted on
| Date | Goalie | Opp | Ovi goal # | Assist1 | Assist2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/20/2005 | Roberto Luongo | FLA | 6 | Eminger | Kolzig |
| 10/28/2005 | Sean Burke | TBL | 7 | Morrisonn | Kolzig |
| 1/12/2006 | Marty Turco | DAL | 27 | Sutherby | Kolzig |
| 12/23/2006 | Andrew Raycroft | TOR | 76 | Semin | Kolzig |
| 3/5/2008 | Ryan Miller | BUF | 151 | Backstrom | Kolzig |
Oct. 20, 2005 – Ovechkin career goal no. 6
Kolzig’s first assist on an Ovechkin goal came just over two weeks into the young Russian’s career. Ovi skated through multiple Florida Panthers defenders down the left wing before beating goaltender Roberto Luongo over the right shoulder. Defenseman Steve Eminger received the primary assist — one of 8 Ovi goals he assisted in his career.
The third-period goal, Ovechkin’s second of the game, came with 2:38 remaining in the third period. But the Capitals’ comeback attempt would end there, and they would go on to lose 3-2.
Fun fact: Three years later, at the 2008 NHL Draft, Eminger was traded, along with the 84th overall pick (Jacob De Serres), to the Philadelphia Flyers for the 27th overall pick in the draft. That selection turned into John Carlson, one of the greatest defensemen in Capitals history and the player who has assisted on the second most Ovechkin goals (158).
Oct. 28, 2005 – Ovechkin career goal no. 7
Kolzig’s second assist on an Ovechkin goal came eight days later — a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ovechkin’s strike came 3:25 into the first period, beating goaltender Sean Burke on a semi-breakaway down the left wing. Shaone Morrisson recorded the primary assist.
Jan. 12, 2006 – Ovechkin career goal no. 27
The third and final assist Kolzig had during Ovechkin’s rookie season came against the Dallas Stars. Brian Sutherby chipped the puck to the middle of the ice where Ovechkin eventually gained possession and beat Marty Turco short side. The second-period tally was the only goal the Capitals scored in the game, falling to the Stars 4-1.
Fun fact: Jason Arnott, who the Capitals would acquire years later at the 2011 trade deadline, scored twice in the game for the Stars.
Dec. 23, 2006 – Ovechkin career goal no. 76
Kolzig’s next assist came during Ovi’s sophomore season in the NHL. Ovechkin scored on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft in front of the net during a Capitals power play 12:01 into the game. Alex Semin received the primary assist. The Capitals defeated the Leafs 3-2, also getting goals from Semin and Dainius Zubrus. Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin scored twice in the third period.
Mar. 5, 2008 – Ovechkin career goal no. 151
Kolzig’s final assist on an Alex Ovechkin goal came during the 2007-08 campaign — the goaltender’s final year with the Caps before moving on for a season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ovechkin scored a breakaway goal on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller after Kolzig combined with fellow Capitals great Nicklas Backstrom to move the puck quickly out of the team’s defensive zone. The first-period tally marked Ovi’s 53rd of the season. He’d add a second goal, his 54th, in the third period. The Capitals beat the Sabres 3-2. Backstrom notched the game-winning goal.
Eight months later, Kolzig would make his final contribution to Ovechkin’s chase, giving up a goal to the Capitals’ superstar in the third period of a Capitals-Lightning game on November 10, 2008. The Capitals won 4-2.
The goal made Kolzig, at the time, the 55th different netminder Ovi had dented the twine on. Seventeen years later, that list swelled to 183 when Ovechkin beat Ilya Sorokin for career goal no. 895.
Ovechkin’s record breaker notably also came on Kolzig’s 55th birthday.
