Unless you’re living under a rock, you must know that by now Alex Ovechkin has done it! Indeed, he has shattered Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable career goals record by scoring his 895th goal, 26 years later. Ovi saved it for a special occasion too, ensuring he waited for an occupied net in the game against the New York Islanders last night. The moment crackled with electricity and deep emotion as the cameras first captured a proud Gretzky clapping in the stands, then shifted to Ovechkin’s family, who overflowed with mixed feelings of pride and pain. They felt the weight of the moment, knowing they couldn’t share it with one pivotal figure in Ovechkin’s career and life.

Mikhail Ovechkin, Alex Ovechkin’s beloved father, who had been there for every milestone in his son’s illustrious hockey journey, passed away in 2023 at the age of 71. He had been battling serious health issues since 2014 but stood by Ovi’s side through it all.

After the historic goal, there was a big ceremony on the ice to honor the achievement. It was during that time that a video montage was played on the jumbotron featuring heartfelt messages for Alex Ovechkin, including from his wife and mother, who spoke movingly about their pride in him. With his mother saying, “Sasha, great job! You are an amazing person, and I am so proud of you. I love you very much. I know your dad is also incredibly proud of you right now because he did so much to help you become not only a great player but also a wonderful person.”

As the montage came to an end, Alex Ovechkin was visibly in tears, marking the bittersweetness of this record. It’s a historic achievement the likes of which the hockey world may never see again, but one of the most important people to him couldn’t be there to witness it.

The lasting legacy of Alex Ovechkin’s late father, Mikhail Ovechkin

The bond between Alex Ovechkin and his father was palpable, as Ovi frequently shared pictures of their time together, often capturing moments of laughter. Mikhail also played a significant role in Ovi’s career, staying deeply involved in his journey.

Speaking about this, Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said after Mikhail’s passing, “He was part of the beginning when Alex got over here… Always in the locker room… Hanging out with the guys. He loved that.” So it was clear on all fronts that Mikhail’s presence in his Alex Ovechkin’s career and life was notably felt, and his keen interest in his son’s sporting life was unmatched.

Perhaps this was because Mikhail Ovechkin was a sportsman himself! A former footballer who spent his career in Russia with Dynamo Moscow, Mikhail Ovechkin played an integral part in shaping his son’s love and dedication to his own sport, something that he was beamingly proud of, even calling the day his son got drafted to the NHL “the most pleasant moment.” 

Even in the midst of his own health struggles, Mikhail would stay up late to watch his son break records and win championships, such as the time when Ovechkin surpassed Gordie Howe‘s goal tally. When Alex Ovechkin led his team to the Stanley Cup in 2018, Mikhail had already been struggling with severe heart issues. However, that didn’t stop him from sharing the moment with his son.

An image of Alex and Mikhail Ovechkin holding the Cup together remains one of the most touching snapshots of their relationship and Alex’s career. Had Mikhail been there to see #895, one can only imagine the joy that would’ve been evident on his famously smiling face.