Illustration Credit: Gary Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports
How Alexander Ovechkin made me fall in love with hockey.
Lucas Carpignano, Sports Editor
Growing up in Canada, it’s almost a given that hockey would be a part of my life. Being born into a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs family, I was surrounded by blue and white my entire life. However, my passion for hockey was ignited by none other than The Great Eight, Alexander Ovechkin. Something about his eclectic style of play made me fall in love with the sport. This is the story of how the goal-scoring machine became my childhood hero and deepened my love for hockey.
Despite being drafted into the NHL in 2004 when I was only two months old, some of my earliest memories related to hockey were watching his highlights on YouTube. His playstyle stood out to me compared to other players. The way Ovechkin was always able to find open space on the ice, coupled with his lightning-fast reflexes and powerful shots, made him a mesmerizing player to watch. He possessed the ability to anticipate plays and position himself perfectly for scoring opportunities. I would always feel bad for goaltenders when he was lined up in his signature spot, the left face-off circle, waiting to unleash his dominant one-timer, which would usually result in a goal. Ovechkin has scored 853 goals in his career so far and currently sits second in NHL history only behind Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals. At the age of 39, Ovechkin does not plan on retiring anytime soon, as he continues to chase down Gretzky’s record.
Although Ovechkin is considered the greatest goal scorer of all time, it took him 13 seasons with the Washington Capitals to finally win his first Stanley Cup. After years of playoff heartbreaks, in 2018, Ovechkin and the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals to win the series 4-1. I remember watching this game from my bedroom holding my breath until the last whistle blew. Watching Ovechkin’s reaction to finally being able to lift the most coveted trophy in hockey was a feeling I won’t forget and is by far my favourite hockey memory.
While Ovechkin is nearing retirement, his impact on my love for hockey is immeasurable. His career has been a thrilling journey of ups and downs that inspired thousands of fans around the world. As he continues to chase records and create unforgettable moments on the ice, I will never forget how he turned my passion for hockey into a central part of my lifestyle.
