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Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin on eclipsing Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goal scorer.
"I congratulate you on your outstanding record. You have surpassed legendary masters in the number of goals scored in National Hockey League regular-season games," Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin on Monday (April 7) via ESPN.
Putin added that Ovechkin, 39, a Russian native, breaking the record "has become not only your personal success, but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad."
"I wish you health, good fortune [and] fighting spirit to conquer new heights in life and in sports," he added.
Ovechkin, 39, scored his 895th career goal and 42nd of the 2024-25 NHL season on a power-play wrist shot assisted by teammates Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome to put the Capitals up 1-0 with 12:34 left in the second period.
Gretzky was in attendance at USB Arena for Ovechkin's record-breaking goal, having also been in attendance for his 894th goal to tie the previous record, which the Russian recorded during his second of two goals in Friday's (April 4) win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ovechkin recorded the record-setting goal during his 1,487th career game, which was the exact same number of total games played by Gretzky, who scored his final career goal against the Islanders. The former Stanley Cup champion had previously refused to go out on to the ice after the Blackhawks pulled their goalie late in Friday's game, telling reporters, "I don't want an empty net" goal for when he eventually set the record via ESPN.
Ovechkin has spent his entire 20-year career with the Capitals, leading the franchise to its first and only Stanley Cup in 2018, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The Russian winger has won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's regular-season goal-scoring leader nine times, as well as the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP three times (2008, 2009, 2013).