After scoring his 20th goal of the season last night, Alex Ovechkin became a distinguished member of the 1,000-point club. 84 players in NHL history have reached the 1,000-point plateau, but only four of them are Russian: Sergei Fedorov, Alexander Mogilny, Alex Kovalev, and now, the Russian machine.
One of those all-time greats, Sergei Fedorov, spoke with Sovetsky Sport’s Pavel Panyshev and had some very kind words for his former Caps teammate.
“I’m really happy for Sasha, and I congratulate him on reaching yet another milestone in his career,” Fedorov said to Pavel Panyshev as translated by Graham Dumas. “You [only] get that sort of result if you can come out regularly night after night and play stably for several years. Sasha’s been playing for years at the highest level in the NHL, an achievement that’s beyond all but a few players. Alexander possesses all of the qualities that we’ll allow him to keep his successful career going. I have no doubts that we’ll witness much more of his brilliant play, both for [the Caps] and as part of the Russian national team.”
“I’d also like to congratulate his parents, Tatyana Nikolaevna and Mikhail Viktorovich, on their son’s achievement,” Fedorov continued. “They have done so much to support Sasha’s development as a professional hockey player.”
Fedorov, who currently serves as the general manager of KHL CSKA, played three seasons with Ovechkin in Washington and made a big impact. Fedorov scored one of the biggest goals in franchise history, a Game Seven game-winning goal over the Rangers. He also mentored Ovechkin and Alex Semin.
Before last night’s game, Ovechkin spoke about joining Fedorov on the exclusive list.
“Yeah, it’s small, but it’s a very legendary club,” Ovechkin said. “I got lucky to play with Fedorov for a couple years and knowing him as a person. It would be nice to be with him in the same company.”
Growing up in Moscow, Fedorov was one of Ovechkin’s favorite players. Ovechkin frequently wore a Fedorov jersey as a child.
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) November 8, 2015
Read more: Alex Ovechkin’s 1,000th point (Video)
The Capitals tribute video for Alex Ovechkin
Wes Johnson’s call of point number 1,000
Why the Penguins didn’t salute Alex Ovechkin after his 1,000th point
Alex Ovechkin poses with the milestone puck
Brooks Laich and John Erskine congratulate Ovechkin on milestone
Mikhail Ovechkin and Tatyana Ovechkina react to their son’s 1,000th point
Full Coverage of Caps vs. Penguins
Headline photo: Len Redkoles. Translation by Graham Dumas.
