During a dinner in 2016, Alex Ovechkin asked Wayne Gretzky for tips on how to win the Stanley Cup. Ovi, who is now chasing Gretzky for the all-time goals record, also asked Wayne in the parking lot if he could have a game-used stick to add to his collection featuring 100 legendary NHL players.

Gretzky agreed, but with one caveat: Ovi had to win the Stanley Cup. Ovi did in 2018 and Gretzky gave away the stick he scored his 807th career goal with.

“Finally, I get the stick and I was happy like a little kid to have a Christmas gift,” Ovechkin said to NBC’s Kathryn Tappen.

But when did Ovi get Gretzky’s stick? Thanks to the O’Connor family, who are big Capitals fans (and RMNB readers), now we know.

“My family and I were at the Capitals’ morning skate on November 15, 2019,” Kim wrote. “We saw Ovi walking out so excited. Now we know why! He was carrying his Gretzky stick. Thought you might want to see.”

The Gretzky stick is made by Easton. Gretzky’s inscription reads To Alex, Love watching you play. The number 807 is written on white tape underneath the black tape.

Ovechkin had a huge smile as he walked out of MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

It appears, only minutes before, Ovi had opened the box in the lobby containing the stick.

Later that night, Ovechkin played inspired hockey against the Montreal Canadiens, one of his favorite teams to play against. Ovechkin had six shots and scored a powerplay goal from his office in the third period.

Ovechkin also leveled Jonathan Drouin with one of his biggest hits of the season.

The Capitals lost 5-2 that night, but for Ovechkin, it was a day to remember.

P.S. – Thanks to Kim, Thomas, Ryleigh, Emma, Kevin, Ethan, and Addison for their help on this article!