Cnn
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It’s been a long time, but Alex Ovechkin can finally be called the top scorer of all NHL time with the number 895 on Sunday.
The 39-year-old man exceeded the Wayne Gretzky brand of 894 goals after scoring in the second period in the 4-1 defeat of Washington Capitals against the New York Icelanders in Elmont, New York.
Ovechkin made an arrow on the wrist in front of the goalkeeper and his Russian compatriot Ilya Sorokin while the family of the left winger and Gretzky looked at Ubs Arena.
It was a power of power, which was appropriate – no one in the NHL history has never scored more power in power than Russian AS.
Ovechkin marked his 42nd count of the season, which is the third in the league.
The match stopped after Ovechkin’s goal for a ceremony to recognize his success.
“What day?” He said to the crowd. Ovechkin thanked his teammates, the organization of the capital, the coaches, his family, the fans and yes, Sorokin, for having let him obtain the file.
“It’s a team sport. Without my boys, I would never stay there and I would obviously never pass a big one,” he said. “We did it, the boys, we did.
“Thank you, (Ilya Sorokin) to let me score 895 … And the last thing, all fans, for everyone, Russia, we did, the boys, we did it. It’s a story!”
Fans sang “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!” After finishing speaking.
Gretzky told fans that he did not think that Ovechkin’s record, the one he held for more than 31 years, will be broken.
“We are here today to celebrate this guy here, number eight. I can tell you first-hand, I know how difficult it is to get 894. Eight-four-tinq years is quite special,” said Gretzky.
“They say records are made to be broken, but I don’t know who will get more goals than that.”
Gretzky jokingly said, the owner of the capital, Ted Leonsis, when he broke the goals record, he received a Rolls-Royce and the owner will have to think of a gift for his star.
Ovechkin is the 10th player of the 107 years of history of the League to hold the title of leader in goals of all time (or simple). He is the fourth to assert this distinction in the past 72 years, after Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard.
“To reach this stage and pass Wayne Gretzky, what no one thought, is really special,” said Mark Howe, Gordie Howe’s son, in a statement. “It’s great for you, ideal for your family and ideal for the National Hockey League.”
Maurice Richard Jr., the son of Maurice Richard, added: “On behalf of the Richard family, I would like to congratulate Alex Ovechkin for having achieved what everyone thought impossible: break the record of Wayne Gretzky of 894 goals.”
Among the many who congratulated Ovechkin, there were 23 times the Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, the Champion of the Stanley Cup six times Mark Messier, the quadruple NBA champion Lebron James, the seven time medalist of Olympic gold Simone Biles and the five -time champion of World Series Disrek Disrek Sports.
During his 20th NHL season, many were waiting for him to go beyond the record this year. The Russian finally made him play the same number of games – 1,487 – that Gretzky succeeded during his 20 -year career.
While many expected Ovechkin broke the record this season, the broken perony that he had undergone in November delayed his march towards what many once considered an unassailable brand. The capital star, however, recovered quickly to get back on the right track.
In March, Ovechkin announced a charity partnership that would see him give money after each objective he marks until the end of his career to collect funds for pediatric cancer research.
Ovechkin played the 20 NHL seasons with Washington, leading the team to his only victory for the Stanley Cup in 2018. Earlier this year, he joined Gordie Howe as the only NHL players in history to accumulate 20 goals in 20 consecutive seasons.
He also raised nine seasons of 50 goals and more – including a career summit of 65 in 2007-08 – appointed an All -Star 12 times, MVP of the League three times, and in 2017 was honored as one of the 100 best NHL players of all time.
A year later, he raised the Stanley Cup for the first time when his capital sent the expansion of Las Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
This story has been updated with additional information.