Hockey gear nerd Alex Ovechkin had a chance of a lifetime on Monday.
After the Capitals concluded practice at Rogers Place in Edmonton, the organization allowed Ovechkin to try on Wayne Gretzky’s gloves and hold one of The Great One’s game-used sticks. Later, Ovechkin posed for a photo with one of Gretzky’s old Oilers jerseys.
“The #Gr8 stopped by the Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame Room at Rogers Place after practice today to pay respects to The Great One,” the Capitals wrote on social media.
Ovechkin sits 20 goals away from Gretzky’s NHL goals record of 894 and 21 away from breaking the record ahead of the Capitals’ matchup against the Oilers on Tuesday night. The Russian superstar scored his 874th goal on January 16 against the Ottawa Senators — an overtime game-winning goal that gave the Capitals a sudden death 1-0 victory. Ovi’s tally on Leevi Merilainen also marked the 179th different goaltender he scored on in his career, breaking Jaromir Jagr’s record of 178.
While Ovechkin posing with Gretzky’s game-used stick in Edmonton is an important moment — especially as the Capitals’ captain nears history — it’s not the first time Ovi has had the opportunity to hold one of Wayne’s old Titan twigs.
Gretzky gave Ovechkin the stick he scored his 807th goal with after Ovi helped lead the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in 2018. Ovechkin received the twig in the mail on November 15, 2019, at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
Ovechkin and Gretzky became fast friends after having dinner together in 2016. When Ovi is five goals away from his goals record, Gretzky has said he will travel with the Capitals to attend their games so he can be there when the moment happens.
“He’s been nothing but positive for our sport and that’s most important, and he’s been great for the Washington Capitals,” Gretzky said.
