Wayne Gretzky says he knew Alex Ovechkin could break the goals record after he scored 'The Goal' against a Gretzky-coached Coyotes in 2006

"Somebody asked me the other day, they said, 'When did you realize Ovechkin had a chance to break your record?' I said, 'When I was coaching against him, I think his first year, he went through the whole team twice and scored on his rear end, on his back.'"

"The Goal was scored 11:54 into the third period, moving Ovechkin 862 goals away from The Great One."

"They say records are made to be broken, and it's such a pleasure to be part of this moment."

"Ovechkin wasted no time stunning the rest of the NHL in his rookie 2005-06 campaign, creating a highlight reel in one year that most players would be proud to have over their entire careers."

In his rookie season, Alex Ovechkin made a historic impact with 52 goals, but one stands out: "The Goal" scored against the Coyotes in 2006. This moment was significant not only for its highlight-reel quality but also because it took place before Wayne Gretzky, who recognized Ovechkin's potential to break his scoring record. Nearly 20 years later, Ovechkin did indeed surpass Gretzky's long-standing record, solidifying a legacy in the NHL that began with that unforgettable moment.

Read at RMNB