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Alex Ovechkin, Greatest Ever!

By Shlomo Maital

      Greatest of all time – GOAT – is a really hard title to earn.  NHL great Wayne Gretzky earned it by scoring a phenomenal 894 goals in his career.  Gretzky was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  He has become controversial, long into retirement, by supporting Trump – anathema to Canadians (I am Canadian-born and also revile this evil man).   The only other players to score more than 800 lifetime goals are Gordie Howe—and Alex Mikhailovich Ovechkin.  Howe was Canadian, born in Floral, Saskatchewan, not far from my own home town Milestone.  His sons, too, especially Marty, were stars.  Gordie was a big strapping farm boy who retired finally with the Hartford Whalers – at age 52!!  

       And Ovechkin?   He will turn 40 on September 17.  And he has so far scored an astonishing 888 goals.  So he is only 7 away from Gretzky’s all-time record.  Chances are he will break it this season.  He hangs out on the left wing, waits for a pass – and blasts his incredible slapshot past goalies.  He has slowed down a lot in recent years, but his hockey savvy is unparalleled. 

        Ovechkin began his career in Russia with Dynamo Moscow, and was chosen by Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL draft.  He starred in his rookie year, 2005-6,  and this year has led a once moribund team into the playoffs.    Ovechkin has the record for the most NHL seasons with 40 or more goals – 13!   And the most 50 goal campaigns, with 9.  

       Hockey is a fierce, brutal contact sport.  Playing at a high level at age 40 is an outstanding achievement.   Ovechkin has 35 goals this season, fourth highest.  Here is how the AP described his key goal against the Philadelphia Flyers: 

     “Confetti flew and Big Joe Turner’s “Shake, Rattle & Roll” blared from speakers as mascot Slapshot flipped the goal counter in a corner of the arena from 887 to 888. Fans chanted “Ovi! Ovi!” as play resumed.  “Every time he scores, the crowd gets 10 times more involved and it just kind of blows up, and whatever happens after, they’re still always cheering,” winger Andrew Mangiapane said. “It’s a great atmosphere every time he gets a goal for us.”  

        Kudos to Ovi for sticking with his team, Capitals, for his whole career.  In the NBA, players jump from team to team, whenever offered bigger bucks.  For years Capitals were lowly.  Ovi stuck with them.  Maybe, maybe this year, they can win the Stanley Cup,  a fitting cap to Ovechkin’s phenomenal career.