ARLINGTON, Va. — Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, his team, Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation have launched an initiative to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research in connection with the 39-year-old left wing’s pursuit of the NHL’s career goals record.
The Capitals announced the partnership Wednesday morning with Ovechkin 10 from tying and 11 from passing Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals that long seemed unapproachable. And that night, he did part by scoring his 885th goal, starting the tally in the fundraising effort and moving 10 away from breaking the record.
In a release announcing the initiative, Ovechkin said he was proud to support the V Foundation’s lifesaving research as part of what is being called “The GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer” — and a cause that’s personal to Ovechkin.
“Throughout my NHL career, I have met many brave kids battling cancer, and I feel it’s important to do what I can to help save more lives from this horrible disease,” Ovechkin said. “I want to thank the V Foundation for all their hard work, and I look forward to using my platform and doing anything I can to help further the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer’s mission.”
As part of the initiative, Ovechkin is donating an amount equal to his career goal total every time he scores for the rest of his career, beginning with No. 885 midway through the third period of Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win against the host New York Rangers.
“Great job on faceoff,” Ovechkin said of his goal. “Great battle, and the puck came to me.”
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals, is set to match him financially, doubling the amount, which will add up to $19,580 when he reaches 895 and continues for as long as his NHL career does.
“Alex Ovechkin’s summit to greatness on the ice has been a thrill for all hockey fans, and his commitment to funding innovative pediatric cancer research will make a lifesaving impact for years to come,” said Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded in 1993 by ESPN and North Carolina State University men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died that year and less than a full year after being diagnosed with cancer.
“We are thrilled to have Alex on our team,” Jacobson continued. “We look forward to celebrating his accomplishments and celebrating advancements in cancer research together.”
The Capitals and Ovechkin are also inviting fans to donate $8 — a nod to his jersey number — or any amount as they can give in honor of the record chase. With 32 goals in 47 games this season, the prolific Russian is on pace to break Gretzky’s record in late March or early April and might have gotten there earlier if not for missing 16 games in the fall because of a broken leg.
Ovechkin also now has 321 power-play goals, extending his NHL record in that category, and he is one point away from becoming the 11th player to reach 1,600 career points, which counts both goals and assists.