Washington Capitals to honor Alexander Ovechkin's goal scoring achievement
(PHOTO: Washington Capitals)
WASHINGTON - The Washington Capitals announced plans to honor captain Alex Ovechkin for making history by passing Gordie Howe for second place on the National Hockey League's all-time goal scoring list.
The ceremony will be held before at Capitol One Arena before the team's game on March 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. During the ceremony, the man nicknamed "The Great Eight," will receive a special gift presented by the Capitals organization and players, the NHL, and the NHL Players’ Association.
In addition to the ceremony, Capitals players will wear number eight warmup jerseys, which will later be signed and auctioned off by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
"The Last of Us" star meets hockey hero Alex Ovechkin
The Washington Capitals invited 10-year-old Keivonn Woodard to meet Alexander Ovechkin and skate with players on the ice Friday. The boy already has a more than impressive resume, having appeared on HBO’s "The Last of Us" while making moves on the ice with the Bowie Hockey Club.
200 designated fans, who are season ticket holders of the team, will also get to take part in the ceremony. They will line the player arrival hallway in Capital One Arena to welcome Ovechkin and the team to the game. The teams says that fans sitting along the glass will also take part in the festivities by being given cutouts of Ovechkin’s image to display during warmups.
The celebration of Ovi will also offer fans a chance to stop by an Ovechkin themed throne comprised of more than 802 hockey pucks on the 100-level concourse of the arena, and a photobooth featuring Ovechkin-themed props.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) waves to the crowd after scoring his 802nd career NHL goal to pass Gordie Howe and move into 2nd place all-time for NHL career goals during the Winnipeg Jets versus Washingt
The team will also hand out Ovechkin bobblehead dolls to all fans in attendance.
Ovechkin made history in December, when he scored his 802nd career goal, passing Howe for second place on the NHL’s all-time goals list. Ovechkin (816) now only trails Wayne Gretzky (894) for the most goals in NHL history.
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 24: Eastern Conference All-Star Alex Ovechkin (L) talks with NHL legend Gordie Howe in the locker room prior to the McDonalds/NHL All-Star Open Practice during the 2009 NHL All-Star weekend at the Bell Centre on January 24, 200
In addition to that milestone, Ovechkin holds records for the most power-play goals, most goals in road games, and most goals with the same team in NHL history. Ovechkin is also the only player in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe, a Calder, an Art Ross, a Hart, a Ted Lindsay, and a Maurice Richard Trophy.