Russian pop and sports stars congratulated Ovechkin on his record in the NHL

On April 7, pop and sports stars congratulated Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian forward of the Washington Capitals hockey club, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record for goals in the regular seasons of the National Hockey League (NHL).

"He should have done it once, he did it perfectly. I join the stream of congratulations," said Oleg Gazmanov, People's Artist of the Russian Federation.

Honored Artist of Russia Zara, in turn, called the hockey player "our guy", an amazing friend and professional.

"He's a scrap player who was constantly running and throwing. It was built into him from childhood, and that's what it led to," said hockey player, two—time world champion Alexander Semin.

"It felt like the whole country was worried and rooting for me"

Alexander Ovechkin — about the end of the great chase, an accidental celebration and numerous congratulations from the stars of world sports

Ovechkin scored his 895th goal in the NHL regular season a day earlier in a match against the New York Islanders. In doing so, he broke Gretzky's record of 894 goals scored.

The Russian hockey player was congratulated on the record by the TV channels of the National Media Group (NMG) and the leader of the musical group "Hands Up!" Sergey Zhukov. The performer dedicated a clip to the hockey player's favorite song from the repertoire of the musical group to the historical achievement with a modified text dedicated to the record goal.

Ovechkin was also congratulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The athlete's skill was also noted by People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Rector of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet Nikolai Tsiskaridze, People's Artist of Russia Valery Syutkin, singer Philip Kirkorov, singer Katya Lel and actress Anna Semenovich.