Alex Ovechkin’s Entire 1500 Games / 900 Goals Ceremony

Alex Ovechkin’s Entire 1500 Games / 900 Goals Ceremony

Caps fans, at this time we ask you to direct your center Caps play by announcer on monumental sports network Joe Ben will begin this evening ceremony ladies ladies gentlemen I’m here with tonight we gather to celebrate player who continues to def franchise inspire a city and leave an unforgettable mark on the National Hockey League, both in the legacy that he’s built and the history that he is still writing. On October 25th, Alex Ovuchkin became the eighth player in NHL history to appear in 1,500 games with a single franchise. Just weeks later, on November 5th, he scored goal number 900, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach that mark. To honor this incredible player and person whose impact reaches far beyond the ice, please welcome President of Hockey Operations, Ryan Mlen. General Manager Chris Patrick, Alex’s wife, Anastasia, and their children, Sergey and Elia. The only guys Obie high-fives more than his teammates. Alex’s mom, Tatiana. and your captain, Alex Ovetkin. Caps fans, you sound great. On behalf of Alex’s teammates, here to present flowers for his family, our alternate captains, Tom Wilson, and John Carlson. Gentlemen, thank you. At this time, folks, we ask that you please turn your attention to the video board for a special tribute. USA hockey is calling it the Ovetkin effect. Hockey just took off once he got here. The kids out here, they want to be like over here. You see a lot of kids yellow laces. You see them all clamoring for number eight. This is a house that will be built. That’s the Ovetchkin effect. Before Alex arrived, the DC area was not known as a hockey hotbed. And then Alex arrives on the scene. What a first goal for Alexander Oetkin. You felt a buzz in the arena that you never felt in that talent. fires and scores with a splash dive. Simply sensational. He’s just fun to watch. It’s infectious enthusiasm with a competitive spirit that’s next to none right now. Almost overnight participation numbers in youth hockey skyrocketing. Camps were selling out everywhere. Everybody wanted to play hockey. Goal number 100. He has a hunger, a passion. Good job. Are you ready to run? Washington DC. Do you love Alex? Unstoppable. He made it fun to watch. Oh, with his 400. He’s leading on the ice. He’s leading off the ice. You know, we love that in Washington. He scores every way possible. He passes Peter Madra, the rightful goalc scoring king of Washington. I’m sure a lot of people have seen the photo of me dressing up as Obie. I remember going back home after school watching YouTube videos of the highlight. Number 500 for the great eight. Overpowering at 600kin score. I was there at the Stanley Cup parade. I remember him holding up the cup. Yeah. Oh, there. Yeah. I’ve seen the ovetkin effect and the growth of the sport. 700 goals for the grade eight. Hockey registrations, number of kids playing hockey. There’s more rings, there’s more teams. I just watched him score a bunch of goals and then I wanted to do it. Alexkin has overtaken Mr. Hockey. Seeing him hit, be fast and physical, it just made me fall in love with him. I did do window because of Obie. I will admit that has reached the summit. I was like, how is that even possible? 895. There’s a new goal scoring champion. He’s scoring goals for such a long time. This is a machine out there. 1500 career NHL game. The 900 club has its first member. Alex has done it. I want to score goals just like Obie. Obie is the reason I started playing hockey. I like playing hockey because of Alexia. I am the Ovian effect. We are the Ocian. We are the OS effect. Congratulations Dar on your record. Good job. We love you. All of those goals just add up so quickly. As you just saw, Alex Ovetchkin has changed hockey in ways few could ever imagine. When he arrived in the DMV, he ignited a movement which brought hockey to communities across the region. As of last season, USA hockey registered players in the DMV have grown to 22,000, over a 70% increase since Ovuchkin’s rookie year. Adult leagues, youth programs continue to thrive. Hockey is more popular than ever. Girls participation is nearly doubled across the DMV and more than tripled in Maryland alone. That folks, that is the Ovetchkin effect. Alex, you always leave fans in love with the game. You inspire them to skate in your footsteps. With that in mind, we’d like to welcome special guests onto the ice. 24year-old Melly Caldwell, Baltimore Banners alum, current coach. He admires Alex’s dominance on the ice, inspiring him to wear number eight. 23-year-old Nate Miller, Hershey Heroes, Special Hockey, loves how Alex celebrates with his sons, and Nate plays with that same joy. 16-year-old Miles Jenkins, team Maryland 16U and Rising Stars Academy. Alex inspires Miles to keep pushing on the ice even when he misses a shot. 14-year-old Sam Heritage, Maryland Junior Black Bears, 14U. He wears number eight to honor his favorites, 10-year-old Lucy Heritage, Maryland Junior Black Bears 12 girls. She wears number eight for Alex Ovuchetkin. A role model she looks up to. 10year-old Emily Arthur’s. Whoa. Nova Ice Dogs 12U girls inspired by the grade eight. His goal celebrations wants to play with the same enthusiasm. 7-year-old Keegan Madden, Buoie Hockey Club 8. He wears number eight in honor of Alex Ovetchkin and dreams of scoring goals like his hero. Six-year-old Owen PL rooftop hockey 6U. For Owen, just the name Ovetchkin means hockey. These incredible players show the true impact of Alex Ovuchkin. We see how his leadership and passion inspire the next generation. Big smiles. Big smiles. Cavs fans, let’s send them off with your applause. Thank you to these exceptional athletes. Heat. Heat. That was a whole lot of great aids. Now for the presentation of gifts. On behalf of the Washington Capitals, General Manager Chris Patrick, proud to present Alex Ovuchetskin with this custom bronze trophy celebrating his 900th career goal. Crafted by Logan Sports Group, it completes a special trifecta linking his 800th goal and 700th assist trophies. President of hockey operations Brian Mlelen honored to present Alex Ovetskin with a custom Tony Harris painting capturing his journey from rookie to legend. Surrounding Alex, the names of every teammate he had shared the ice with throughout his remarkable career. Ladies and gentlemen, as we close tonight’s ceremony, we’re mindful of Alex Ovuchetkin’s milestones and the profound impact he’s made and will keep making in our community. Alex stands as the franchise leader in ne nearly every meaningful category, goals, points, playoff performances that have shaped some of our fondest memories. And even with an immense trophy case, his story is still being written. Tonight, look up at that 2018 Stanley Cup banner hanging above us. We celebrate not just the awards, not just the records, but his ongoing leadership and his enduring loyalty as the man who helped us believe then and will help keep inspiring us in the years ahead. Folks, at this time we ask all of Alex’s teammates to gather at Center Ice for a group photo to commemorate tonight’s ceremony. Careful. Hey, I finally made the team picture. That’s awesome. Thank you to the on ice officials. Thank you to the Winnipeg Jets for your kind attention. Get well soon, Connor Hleabuk. For 21 seasons, Alex continues to rewrite what it means to be great as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history. Caps fans, one more time, your applause, please, for the longest serving captain in Capital’s history, Alex Ovetkin. Well, that was simply sensational. A historical moment to celebrate and to remember. Nice job, Joby. We’ll be back with the national anthems and puck drop right after this.

The Washington Capitals celebrate the “Ovechkin Effect” during Alex Ovechkin’s 1500 games played and 900 goals scored ceremony at Capital One Arena. #Gr8ness