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NHL Notebook: Alexander Ovechkin became the second player with 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Jan 13, 2025, 18:15 ESTUpdated: Jan 13, 2025, 18:13 EST
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A long-standing record is close to being broken.
On Saturday evening, Alexander Ovechkin potted an empty net goal for his 20th of the season, giving him 873 career goals. The Russian winger is 21 goals away from matching the all-time goal record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky, and 22 goals away from breaking it.
Not only that, but thanks to that empty netter, Ovechkin now has 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons dating back to his rookie campaign in 2005-06 when he scored 52 goals. Ovechkin became the third player in league history with 20 different 20-goal seasons, matching Ron Francis and two 20-goal seasons behind Gordie Howe, the only other player to do it in consecutive seasons.
At this point, it’s not if Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record, but when. Last season, the generational scorer got off to a slow start, managing to score just eight goals in his first 43 games. However, he got back on track as he scored 23 goals in his final 36 games as the Washington Capitals made the postseason.
It was the complete opposite for Ovechkin in 2024-25. In his first 18 games with the Capitals, he had 15 goals and 25 points before breaking his fibula. The 39-year-old has returned to form, scoring five goals returning to the team’s lineup on Dec. 28, bringing him ever so close to breaking Gretzky’s record.

Blue Jackets extend Zach Aston-Reese

It was reported by numerous sources on Monday that Zach Aston-Reese signed a one-year extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets worth $775,000.
Aston-Reese signed with the Vegas Golden Knights before the start of the season but was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jackets in October. In 42 games with the Blue Jackets, the 30-year-old has four goals and 11 points in 42 games. Last season, he spent all but three games with the Detroit Red Wings’ American Hockey League team.
The 2022-23 season was one of Aston-Reese’s best seasons, as he scored a career-high 10 goals, with his career-high 17 points coming in his sophomore season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Zach Hyman purchases the Brantford Bulldogs

From one Zach to another Zach, Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman led a group to purchase the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs from Michael Andlauer.
The franchise started in Belleville back in 1981 as the Belleville Bulls. It remained there until 2015 when it was purchased by Andlauer, who moved the team to Hamilton to become the Hamilton Bulldogs (not to be confused with the two American Hockey League teams of the same name.)
Due to renovations at the home stadium, the Bulldogs moved 30 minutes down the road to Brantford beginning in 2023-24 and will remain there for at least three seasons. However, the ownership group plans to build a new stadium to open in 2027, so it seems like the Bulldogs will stay in Brantford.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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