In the life of the Russian striker of Washington Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin, a series of joyful events continues. The other day, the striker reached another significant milestone: in the NHL regular season match with the “New Jersey Devils” he scored his 700th goal in the North American League, becoming only the eighth hockey player in history to succeed. Moreover, the Russian spent all the way just 1,144 games.

By tradition, Alexander the Great took the club and the puck after the game, with which he conquered a new bar. In addition, as it turned out later, the owners of the ice gave the striker another memorable gift, cutting and sending him a net of gates, in which the jubilee goal was framed. Washington did not forget to thank the opponent for a beautiful gesture.

“I got the puck and club, and now I get the net. Thanks, Devils, this post appeared on the club’s official Twitter account.

Some moments transcend an individual game.

Special delivery headed your way, @ Capitals. # WeAreTheOnes | # NJDevilspic.twitter.com / LgjOBkMGRW

- New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 24, 2020

But even such a serious career achievement is now not the greatest joy in the life of a striker - after all, in the near future he should become a father for the second time. On Monday, his wife Anastasia admitted that she was pregnant again. “We are looking forward to see you,” Anastasia Shubskaya signed the family picture on Instagram.

The hockey player and his wife were congratulated by the National Hockey League. In the official account of the championship also appeared a family photo of the striker.

“When we thought that Alexander Ovechkin’s week could no longer be better!” - says the publication.

View this Instagram post

Just when we thought @ aleksandrovechkinofficial's week couldn't get any better! ❤️ (📷 @nastyashubskaya)

Publication by NHL (@nhl) Feb 24, 2020 @ 12:14 pm PST

The hockey player himself in an interview admitted that family life greatly affected his perception of reality, but as a person he has not changed in recent years.

“The attitude towards life, of course, changed when Seryozha and Nastya appeared. You’re thinking not only about yourself, but also about your son and wife. It is clear that family life changes everything. But it’s hard to say what I became compared to what it was five years ago. You need to ask Nastya, she sees me every day. Personally, I think that I remained the same as I was, ”said Ovechkin in an interview with the NHL press service.

In addition, the striker remembered how he began his career in the National Hockey League and how he learned to cope with difficulties by becoming the captain of the “capital”. Ovechkin received this status in 2010, replacing Chris Clark.

“There were failures and a language barrier. But the older guys, who had the honor of being captains of other teams, helped me, and the coaching staff too. Because the captain is the trust of the team, the coaching staff. I remember the burden of responsibility that lay not only on my shoulders when they could not get through the second round of the playoffs ... Something was missing, but then luck turned to face us and we won the Stanley Cup, ”said the athlete.

The forward also noted that, in his opinion, being an idol is good. As an example for thousands of boys in love with hockey, he has the opportunity to inspire them and set an example. At the same time, there is no doubt that Alexander himself does everything possible to remain a model for young athletes. Even at 34, he is one of the league’s best snipers and is fighting on equal terms with the younger David Pastrniak and Auston Matthews.

“I also had idols in my childhood. I strove to be like people that I liked, because they achieved successes that I wanted to repeat. But I had a situation not so easy as it seems to many. It was hard financially, it was hard when my brother died. We went through difficulties that temper character. We all have a hard way, and here it cannot be easy. Sweat, blood and work, ”added the forward.

At the same time, the hockey player admitted that every milestone passed, be it 500 or 600 goals, certainly means something, and also thanked his parents for helping him to go this way.

“There are simply not many people doing this, and 700 goals scored units. But for me it is also pride for all my coaches, my family. They raised me, gave me a chance to be who I became. So this is not only my merit, it is the work of a large team. Parents also made a very significant contribution to me as a player and a person, ”said Ovechkin.

He admitted that he was very happy to have such a family, and also emphasized how much strength and energy his father spent on him.

“Get up at seven in the morning, stand near the ice, not realizing whether it will work out or not. Without parental supervision, without parental advice, it would hardly have been possible, ”concluded Ovechkin.