Records. For years, we have all been told the age-old saying; “they are made to be broken.” We have been told that the statistical feats set by the people before us are there for humans to strive for, and to hopefully surpass, when those greats are finally retired from the game. It’s a sentiment that has been with us for DECADES, and it is something that will continue to stick with us long after our great-grandchildren are gone from this world.

Why do I bring this up, you may ask? Well…..it’s because a record fell yesterday. A record that stood for so many years, has officially been surpassed by a star of today. That star, ladies and gentlemen…….is the great Alex Ovechkin. And he just toppled Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing mark of most goals in NHL history.

HE DID IT, HE DID IT ‼️

ALEX OVECHKIN HAS THE MOST GOALS IN NHL HISTORY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Ej2cclff9y

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 6, 2025

Ovi, for those of you who are unaware, was the #1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft. In his 20+ years with the Capitals, the 39-year old Russian has racked up a laundry-list of awards, including; 1x Stanley Cup Champion, 12x All-Star, 3x Hart Memorial Trophy Winner, and even a Calder Memorial Trophy.

He has been an iconic individual throughout all of these years, and was a future Hall-of-Famer before this season even started. But coming into the 2024-25 campaign, there was one mission for “The Great 8;” to take down the greatest of all time. And now, after posting 42 goals and 27 assists to go along with his 69 points…….the Caps legendary winger has done just that.

It was a monumental moment for the Russian, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever do it. He took down a record that stood for so many years; one that no one thought would ever be touched. And after he accomplished this legendary feat, he had a few words for the fans at the UBS Arena.

Alex Ovechkin reflects on becoming the NHL’s all-time goal scoring leader 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZNL992mCZg

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2025

Goal #895 will always hold a special place in the hearts of many. It’s not every day that you see a player that you’ve watched since the beginning topple a record that was held by the GOAT of the sport. It’s a moment that, regardless of who you cheer for, will bring a tear to your eye. Moments like these are why we love sports, and will be until the end of time.

So congratulations, #8. The chase is over. You are now the lone man on the mountain top.

But in the end, as always….what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.