The Washington Capitals honored Alex Ovechkin before Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, celebrating a historic feat the Russian superstar notched four days prior.
Ovechkin scored on New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin on April 6, 2025 for the 895th of his career, passing Wayne Gretzky on the NHL’s all-time goals list.
The event, entitled the “Gr8ness Pre-Game Ceremony,” began shortly after 7:30 pm and was attended at ice level by Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan. Members of Ovechkin’s family including his wife Nastya, children Sergei and Ilya, mom Tatyana, and father-in-law Kirill were also there to show their support. Monumental Sports Network’s Joe Beninati emceed the event.
The ceremony began with words from Beninati, standing in front of a lectern near the zamboni entrance.
“The hockey world watched as a new goal-scoring champion was etched into NHL history,” Beninati said. “Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal surpassing Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s all-time goals leader – a record that had been held since 1994. Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s 31-year record in game 1,487 the exact number of games which Gretzky played.”
Beninati continued, “Our Great 8 holds many other records: most power-play goals, most game-winning goals, most 40-goal seasons, most goals on the road, and most goals with the same team in NHL history.”
Ovechkin, who was sitting on the dasher board at the Capitals bench, then joined his family and Caps executives on the carpet where they took in an emotional tribute video on the Capital One Arena jumbotron.
The video began with Ovechkin scoring the historic goal and showing his family behind the scenes making their way down ice level at UBS Arena. Nastya’s hands shook with nerves while Tatyana cried overwhelmed by what her son accomplished. Several of those closest to Ovechkin then offered him their congratulations in video form.
“You can’t second guess him, you can’t count him out,” TJ Oshie said. “He just finds a way to rise to the occasion again and again and again. And this milestone is the biggest example of that.”
“Our kids are gonna tell their kids about this moment,” Nastya Ovechkina said. “We know his father and brother watching him (from above).”
“It makes me emotional,” Tom Wilson said. “I love that guy and I love his family. I’m really happy for him.”
“He’s broken one of the records that no one thought it was going to be broken,” Nicklas Backstrom said. “To be a part of this big night, it’s something he feels and we feel.”
Once the video concluded, it was gift time. Capitals alternate captains John Carlson and Tom Wilson presented Ovechkin’s family with a bouquet of flowers. Brian MacLellan presented Alex Ovechkin with a golden stick. Ovi’s children Sergei and Ilya got golden mini sticks.
“We don’t use these in the streets and we don’t hit daddy in the knees with those!” Joe Beninati said. “Absolutely not.”
MacLellan also presented Alex Ovechkin with a one of a kind sculptural painting by TYP. The six-foot installation featured concrete casts of Ovi’s skates painted on canvas and also included an actual pair of Ovi’s signature yellow-laced skates and a game-used stick.
Ted Leonsis’s family and the rest of the Capitals ownership group gave Ovi and his mom Rolex watches, while his wife Nastya was given her own Cartier watch.
“From the moment Alex Ovechkin stepped onto the ice, he has been an overwhelming force,” Beninati concluded. “He’s given his all to the city, this team, and for the game. He has made an immeaurable impact on the sport in the region, starting at the grassroots level. He’s inspired countless young boys and girls to play and fall in love with this game. And with 895 goals, he’s broken a record that many believed would never be touched. With every goal, with each iconic celebration, he has proven no challenge too great, no record too tall. He’s our captain in all-caps, all hours, and now he’s the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history. One more time for The Great 8, Alex Ovechkin.”
The Capitals then took a team photo out on the ice with Ovechkin to cap off the celebration.
There were other special tributes for the game as well.
All fans that attended received a rally towel featuring the iconic image of Ovechkin sliding across the ice as he celebrates goal number 895.
Capitals players wore special 895 t-shirts created by 500 Level as they arrived for the game.
The Capitals re-released The Gr8 King Throne that sits outside section 114/115. Ovechkin, wearing a special GR895 suit, sat in the throne before puck drop.
Ovechkin’s children, Sergei and Ilya, wore special 895 jackets for the game.
Ovechkin had several special guests in the house for the game as well including close friends and former Capitals Alex Semin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
Capitals mascot Slapshot also debuted a new 895 flag.
Here are our photos from the pre-game ceremony.
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