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Teemu Selanne Tells Alex Ovechkin the Obvious After Capitals Star's 895th NHL Goal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rexwell Villas | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 8:09 AM ET

After over three decades, there is a new man atop the NHL's all-time list for career goals, as Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin finally surpassed Edmonton Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky.

On Sunday, Ovechkin snapped his tie with "The Great One" by finding the back of the net for the 895th time in his NHL career during a road game versus the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

Countless personalities sent congratulatory messages to the 39-year-old Ovechkin after he set the said record, and among them is Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne.

"Unbelievable achievement," the 54-year-old Selanne wrote in an Instagram story post that celebrated Ovechkin's 895 goals in the NHL.

Teemu Selanne on Alex Ovechkin's historic record: "Unbelievable achievement." (Via Teemu Selanne's IG) pic.twitter.com/ZAlpvzP0cB
— Don March (@ItsAlwaysMarch) April 7, 2025

Last March, Selanne expressed his excitement over Ovechkin’s chase of Gretzky’s record.

“I’m so excited,” Selanne said when Ovechkin was just nine goals away from breaking Gretzky’s record (h/t Tom Gulitti of NHL.com). “Now, something is going to happen that a lot of people thought was untouchable. People have no idea what kind of record we’re talking about right now. Even myself, I’m super excited.”

Selanne, the first-ever winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy -- the award given to the NHL's leading goal-scorer every season since the 1998-99 campaign -- knows a thing or two about lighting the lamp in the pros.

The former Anaheim Ducks star is 12th on the all-time list with 684 NHL goals. He also still holds the league record for most goals in a rookie season , as he potted 76 in the 1992-93 season with the Winnipeg Jets. No other rookie in the history of the NHL has scored more than 53 goals. Islanders legend Mike Bossy is second all-time with 53 while Ovechkin is third with 52.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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