Alex Ovechkin wasted no time stunning the rest of the NHL in his rookie 2005-06 campaign, creating a highlight reel in one year that most players would be proud to have over their entire careers. However, one goal among the 52 he scored that season has stood the test of time more than any other: “The Goal” against the Phoenix Coyotes on January 16, 2006.
The twisting and corkscrewing goal from Ovechkin’s back was made special by the seemingly superhuman effort alone, but also because it occurred right in front of the NHL’s all-time best player, Wayne Gretzky, who was then serving as the Coyotes’ head coach. Gretzky revealed on the Kelce Brothers’ New Heights podcast earlier this week that the moment the puck went in, he knew Ovechkin could be capable of toppling once-thought untouchable hockey history.
“Somebody asked me the other day, they said, ‘When did you realize Ovechkin had a chance to break your record?'” Gretzky told the Kelces. “And I said, ‘When I was coaching against him, I think his first year, he went through the whole team twice and scored on his rear end, on his back.'”
The then 20-year-old Ovechkin scored two goals in the Capitals’ 6-1 win against the Coyotes, giving him 32 goals through the first 44 games of his NHL career. During the game’s second intermission, before Ovechkin even scored “The Goal,” play-by-play man Joe Beninati jokingly mentioned how many more goals he would need to reach Gretzky’s record.
“The Goal” was scored 11:54 into the third period, moving Ovechkin 862 goals away from The Great One.
Fast-forward nearly 20 years, and Ovechkin did break Gretzky’s all-time mark, 894 goals, with his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. After the ensuing celebrations were done, Gretzky, wearing a number 9 pin in honor of Gordie Howe, came down to the ice to congratulate Ovechkin.
“They say records are made to be broken,” Wayne Gretzky said during the 22-minute-long on-ice ceremony, “but I’m not sure who’s gonna get more goals than that.”
Gretzky was incredibly gracious throughout the entire process of Ovechkin eating away at one of his most storied records and has always said that it was important to him to be there to celebrate the moment, not only because he’s developed a personal relationship with Ovi, but for the integrity of the game. Howe, the previous record holder before Gretzky, was there to congratulate Gretzky when he broke the record, so he has always wanted to keep the tradition.
“That’s what makes sports wonderful, right?” Gretzy said. “You think, ‘Oh my God, can we get any better?’ Then another guy comes along and you go, ‘Wow, that guy’s phenomenal.’ Every sport’s the same…I just have so much respect for so many of these athletes that come along now. As a fan, I just love it.”
Ovechkin wrapped up the 2024-25 NHL season, his 20th in the league, with 897 career goals. With three more goals next year, he’ll become the first player in league history ever to score 900 goals. There are a few more Gretzky-related records in his sight, but none will ever be bigger than him potting no. 895.
