Alexander Ovechkin can do no wrong at the moment, can he? The Washington Capitals star is just 11 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time career goals record in the NHL. With the Russian star closer than ever to the elusive 884 goal mark, Ovechkin is showing why he is a legend in the true sense as he joined a new team for a noble cause.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that the 39-year-old has teamed up with the V Foundation to help raise funds for cancer. Ovechkin himself will donate in support of pediatric cancer research for every goal that he scores from now on till the end of his NHL career. Precisely speaking, the $80 million NHL star will give the foundation an amount equal to his career goal total for every goal he scores.
With Ovechkin showing a big heart, he won praise from the legendary basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, popularly known as Coach K, who welcomed him to the V Foundation family. He said, “Alex, welcome to the V team. Wow, what a recruit. Not only do we have the National Hockey League on our team, we have one of the greatest players ever, joining us. Welcome. And by the way, we’re going to watch you in the pursuit of that milestone. Wow. That’s incredible. What’s also incredible is the teamwork the V Foundation has done with the NHL and Hockey Fights Cancer and pediatric cancer research. You know, we’re going to win.”
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Additionally, Ovechkin also invited fans to join him in the fundraising efforts. Ovechkin suggested a donation of $8, which is his jersey number, or any amount that they can donate to this noble cause. All donations will go directly toward pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation. While Alexander Ovechkin engaged in this philanthropic venture ahead of breaking a massive record, this isn’t the only thing he’s doing in his chase of Gretzky’s record. The legendary NHL star also wants to make it a memorable milestone for his home country.
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Alexander Ovechkin is gathering items for a museum in Russia
After scoring 11 more goals, Ovechkin will go down in the history of the NHL as the game’s highest scorer, breaking Gretzky’s record. A feat that looked like it would be impossible for many years. This is, of course, no mean feat, and Ovechkin wants to make every moment special during this chase, something that can be cherished in the future.
As a result, he has kept his sticks and pucks from every goal that he has scored in the past four seasons. These items, along with his collection of jerseys, skates, etc., will be on display in a museum in his hometown of Moscow, Russia. A tangible reminder of The Great 8’s prolific performances in front of the net, preserved for posterity.
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Talking about this, he said, “Just for history, for memories. Obviously, my kids love hockey, and when they’re going to be growing up, they’re going to understand more who I am, and they’re going to share those memories with their friends and family. It’s pretty cool.”
With Alexander Ovechkin just 11 goals shy of toppling the Great One’s record, it is highly likely that he will achieve this feat in the current season, given the form he is in. The NHL world can’t keep calm, and all the fans are eagerly awaiting the big moment to come.