The story of how Alexander Ovechkin reached the NHL is actually quite heartbreaking

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Mike Armenti
August 12, 2023 (11:05)

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Alex Ovechkin is arguably the greatest goal scorer of this generation and is still a prolific goal scorer into his late 30's with no sign of slowing down. Everyone gets their start somewhere, but there's one person that Ovechkin has dedicated his entire career to - and the story is a tragic one.

According to NHL Breakers, Ovechkin made a promise to his brother, Sergei, when he was little that he would go on to make it to the NHL. His older brother tragically passed away at the age of 24, when Alex was just 10 years old, due to a car accident.

Now a Stanley Cup champion with multiple individual career awards to his credit, Ovechkin is on the cusp of breaking a record that was once thought to be unbreakable - Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record. Ovechkin's 822 goals are second only to Gretzky, who scored 894 goals in his illustrious NHL career.

If Ovechkin's brother, Sergei, were still with us, he'd be in awe of what his baby brother has been able to accomplish to date.

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AOUT 12 \| 74 ANSWERS The story of how Alexander Ovechkin reached the NHL is actually quite heartbreaking Will Ovechkin beat Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record?
Yes	52	70.3 %
No	22	29.7 %
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The story of how Alexander Ovechkin reached the NHL is actually quite heartbreaking

Alex Ovechkin is arguably the greatest goal scorer of this generation and is still a prolific goal scorer into his late 30's with no sign of slowing down. Everyone gets their start somewhere, but there's one person that Ovechkin has dedicated his entire career to - and the story is a tragic one.

Will Ovechkin beat Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record?