The Great 8 has done it again. Nearly. For those passionate about hockey, it’s important to note that Alexander Ovechkin is currently just 11 goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s legendary all-time goal record in the NHL. Ovi excels on the ice as a player and stands out as a strong leader, but are you aware of his commendable efforts as a good Samaritan as well?

According to a report by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, which was shared on Reddit, the Capitals’ captain has teamed up with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The plan? This initiative, “THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer,” involves Ovechkin pledging to contribute a dollar amount that matches his career goal total for each goal he nets for the rest of his NHL journey. When does this commence?

Tonight! With the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. “There is so much attention on the chase, so I’m using that to help. We should all help and make cancer go away. It doesn’t matter where you live, cancer touches everyone. It’s important for all of us to talk about finding a cure,” stated Ovechkin. As humble as always!

The Caps captain understands the profound suffering that cancer inflicts, affecting not just the individual battling the disease but also all those who care for them. Has he experienced the loss of someone dear to him due to a similar condition? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

In 2023, Mikhail, the father of Alexander Ovechkin, was admitted to the hospital due to an aortic dissection. Subsequent reports uncovered the presence of a malignant neoplasm, indicating a cancerous tumor within his body. Ultimately, the person who played a significant role in shaping his star son’s hockey career passed away after battling illness. The Ovechkin family faced a challenging period, with Alexander bearing the brunt of it all.

Additionally, Ovechkin extended an invitation to fans to participate in this noble initiative too. In what ways can they make a contribution? The minimum one-time donation amount available on the official donation page is set at $8. Ring a bell? Ovechkin’s jersey number is also 8. So, what was the Internet’s response to this generous gesture from the Caps captain?

Fans are loving Alexander Ovechkin’s generosity

Alexander Ovechkin is an individual who prefers to avoid constant media attention. It’s evident as he seldom shares updates on his social media accounts. One fan remarked, “Ovys always been a good guy frequently houses and clothes homeless across NA without any media attention. People are more complicated than Reddit will allow.”

In a similar vein, another supporter remarked, “Not surprising, he has always been heavily involved in charities. Especially in the local D.C. area.” A different supporter commented, “It’s always nice when someone people like does a good thing for their community.”

To date, the V Foundation has allocated close to $400 million towards cancer research grants across North America. Ovechkin’s thoughtful gesture has brought attention to a significant cause. Amanda Tischler, the Capitals’ senior vice president of marketing, remarked, “The V Foundation shared some concepts related to the GR8 CHASE and how we could really make every goal count for a good cause. All credit goes to Ovi and his commitment. Doing this for the duration of his career, beyond the 895 [goals], speaks volumes.”

In addition to guiding the Capitals to success, this supporter expressed enthusiasm for the off-hockey initiative, “GOAT keeps cementing his name.” Ovechkin is showing the community how it’s done, both on the ice and off it, cementing his legacy in two different ways.

The data shows that the cancer mortality rate in the U.S. stands at 146.0 per 100,000 individuals annually, reflecting statistics from deaths recorded between 2018 and 2022. With every dollar invested in this campaign, Alexander Ovechkin is striving for a brighter future.