Svishchev congratulated Ovechkin on setting the record for goals scored in the NHL

Dmitry Svishchev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, in an interview with Izvestia on April 6, congratulated Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian forward of the Washington Capitals hockey club, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record for goals in the regular championships of the National Hockey League (NHL).

"This is really a record that will not be broken for many, many years, and maybe never. The more he holds on, the more proud we will be of Ovechkin," Svishchev said.

According to him, Ovechkin promotes and develops sports not only among Russians, but also among foreign citizens, for which "he should receive an award from the NHL."

Svishchev noted that Ovechkin supports the Russian HC Dynamo and grew up in Moscow.

According to Svishchev, he also sent a letter to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin with an initiative to name a "street, stadium or square" in Ovechkin's honor in his hometown.

"He is expected everywhere, he is a national favorite," concluded Svishchev.

Gretzky's record is broken: Alexander Ovechkin became the best sniper in the history of the NHL

Ovechkin scored his 895th goal in the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season on April 6 against the New York Islanders, breaking the record of four-time Stanley Cup winner Wayne Gretzky, who scored 894 goals. He scored a goal against a compatriot playing for the opposing team, Ilya Sorokin. So, Ovechkin topped the ranking of the most accurate snipers in the league.

The TV channels of the National Media Group (NMG) holding and the performer, the leader of the band "Hands Up!" Sergey Zhukov congratulated Ovechkin with a world record clip for his favorite song from the repertoire of the musical group.