"📸: Alan Dobbins/RMNB The NHL retired Wayne Gretzky's number 99 jersey leaguewide on February 6, 2000, during the 1999-00 season's NHL All-Star Game. Gretzky, who at the time was the league's all-time leader in goals, assists, and points, is the only player in NHL history to receive the honor. Gretzky lost one of those marks this past year, when Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin became the new all-time leading goal scorer, recording his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders on April 6. The Great One was on hand to personally congratulate Ovechkin and pass on the goal-scoring mantle to its new owner."
"Ovechkin, 40, is currently playing out the final year on his contract with the Capitals and has made no commitment to continuing his NHL career past this season. While the league probably won't retire his number, Ovechkin's number 8 will almost certainly never be worn by another Capital. The legendary Russian winger could step away from the game tomorrow and leave DC as the team's franchise leader in goals, points, power-play goals, even-strength goals, game-winning goals, playoff goals, shots, and hat tricks. He's also the only captain of the Capitals to have led the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship, winning playoff MVP honors in 2018."
Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired leaguewide in 2000, and he remained the NHL's all-time leader until Alex Ovechkin surpassed him with his 895th goal on April 6. Gretzky personally congratulated Ovechkin. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league will not consider retiring Ovechkin's number until Ovechkin announces his retirement and noted that only one number has been retired leaguewide in the league's history. Ovechkin is 40 and in the final year of his contract with no commitment to continue. Ovechkin holds numerous Capitals franchise records and led them to the 2018 Stanley Cup.
Read at RMNB
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