(Photos via Monumental Network)
In a special pre-game ceremony prior to the Caps vs. Canucks game Thursday at Verizon Center, the Capitals organization honored Alex Ovechkin for reaching the 500-goal milestone.
Ovi’s family, his fiancé, Caps owner Ted Leonsis, President Dick Patrick and General Manager Brian MacLellan were on the ice to honor him. Leonsis presented Ovi with the coveted gold stick to commemorate his achievement. The amazing stick was created and personalized especially for Ovi by The Heritage Stick Company out of Newmarket, Ontario.
According to Aaron Logan, owner of The Heritage Stick Co., the commemorative stick is made of bronze, weighs 19 pounds and took close to 30 hours of fabrication to complete. It has Ovi’s 100, 200, 3oo, 400, and 500th goal dates on the shaft, as well as a message on the blade. The stick was delivered to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday.
Ovechkin became the fifth-fastest player in NHL history to score 500 goals when he scored a power play goal against goalie Andrew Hammond and the Ottawa Senators. Ovi has scored 501 career goals in 801 NHL career games. In the top five, he has some awesome company with Wayne Gretzky (575 games), Mario Lemieux (605), Mike Bossy (647) and Brent Hull (693). Ovi has scored 501 career goals in 801 NHL career games.
Congratulations Ovi! Let’s Go Caps!
An up-close look at the golden twig presented to @ovi8 before #CapsNucks #Ovi500 pic.twitter.com/c2KJhW5l64
— Monumental Sports Network (@MonSportsNet) January 15, 2016
