As Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin nears Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, Gretzky expressed admiration for Ovechkin and hopes to shake his hand when the record is broken. Gretzky acknowledged that all records must eventually be surpassed, signaling progress in the sport. The NHL’s value has grown significantly, with the average team worth nearly $2 billion according to CNBC’s Official Valuations. Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record has generated excitement, with Ovechkin currently 26 goals away from breaking the record. However, he is currently sidelined with a broken leg for 4-6 weeks.
Gretzky reflected on his own record-breaking career, emphasizing that he never played for records but for the honor of being in the NHL. He praised the league’s growth and credited Bettman, team owners, and players for making the game stronger. Gretzky highlighted the importance of youth development for the future of hockey and shared his partnership with YardRink, a company that allows families to build their own backyard rinks. He emphasized the impact of having a backyard rink in his own development as a player.
As Ovechkin draws closer to breaking the record once thought unattainable, Gretzky’s support for the growth of the sport and youth involvement remains strong. He believes that by getting more kids involved in playing hockey, the game can continue to expand and thrive.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com