As the Great Eight grows closer to history, the Great One is cheering him on.
Wayne Gretzky has voiced his support of Alex Ovechkin over the years as he attempts to break the all-time goals record Gretzky has held since 1994. Whether singing Ovechkin’s praises in the media, texting him privately to offer his encouragement, or saying he wants to be the first person to shake Ovechkin’s hand once he breaks the record, Gretzky has championed Ovechkin’s chase of greatness, rooting for his own demotion in the record books.
After Ovechkin scored his 892nd career goal Wednesday night — bringing him within 3 goals of passing Gretzky — he spoke on the value of that relationship as he nears a milestone almost no one else can fully understand.
Ovechkin noted not only what Gretzky’s support has meant to him personally, but also how Gretzky’s graceful acceptance of losing the record helps sport as a whole.
“It’s great,” Ovechkin said. “It’s great for hockey. How I said, we have a relationship. He told me his support and I hope — and I’m pretty sure — he’s going to join the team and he’s going to follow us.”
Gretzky has repeatedly stated his plans to follow the Capitals as Ovechkin nears goal no. 895, citing the actions of former record-holder Gordie Howe, who did the same when Gretzky passed his goal total in 1994.
“If he does get there, and if he does break my record, I said I would be the first guy there to shake his hand,” Gretzky said in 2020. “I remember when Gordie was following me around and I was breaking his record, I said to my Dad one night, I said, ‘you know in some ways I feel kind of bad for Gordie Howe.’
“And my dad said, ‘You know what, somebody is going to break your record. And when he does, make sure you are as much a gentleman to him as Gordie Howe is to you. You smile, you shake his hand, and you are proud of what you accomplished. It’s better for the game.’ That is what I always think of. I always think of Gordie Howe and what my dad told me.”
Insider Chris Johnston previously stated that Gretzky would begin traveling with the Capitals when Ovechkin was within four goals of the record. While NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance as the Capitals faced the Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday night, Gretzky has apparently not yet begun to travel, though he will likely join the team in the coming days.
Ovechkin is currently on pace to tie Gretzky on April 10 at home against Carolina and break the record on the road on April 12 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.
