Russia President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Alex Ovechkin after he became the NHL’s all-time top goal-scorer.
Ovechkin’s 895th career goal in the Washington Capitals’ game Sunday against the New York Islanders saw him overtake Wayne Gretzky.
Putin has said the achievement was something Russians would celebrate.
“I congratulate you on your outstanding record. You have surpassed legendary masters in the number of goals scored in National Hockey League regular-season games,” Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin on Monday.
He added that breaking Gretzky’s record “has become not only your personal success but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad.
“I wish you health, good fortune (and) fighting spirit to conquer new heights in life and in sports.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has revealed that Putin and Ovechkin had not yet spoken by phone.
However, Peskov insisted Putin’s statement showed he “highly values Ovechkin’s sporting result.”
