Degtyarev called Ovechkin the pride of the whole country

Mikhail Degtyarev, the Minister of Sports and president of the Russian Olympic Committee, told reporters on Thursday, April 10, that Alexander Ovechkin, the forward of the Washington Capitals hockey club, was proud of the whole country.

"Here's what our dear Alexander said: "Russians, we did it." You couldn't say it better. Therefore, any records in any championships, whether in America or in the world, when given to our people, is a matter of pride for the whole country," Degtyarev emphasized at the All—Russian Forum "Win Honestly."

The minister added that, despite playing in the American team, Ovechkin is a Russian man. Degtyarev emphasized the athlete's love for Russia.

"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 on April 6 in a match against the New York Islanders. Thus, he broke the record of Canadian Wayne Gretzky, who scored 894 goals.

The Russian hockey player was congratulated on the record by the TV channels of the National Media Group and the leader of the 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.