Wayne Gretzky faces fire amid Alex Ovechkin’s historic night—But is it fair?

Alex Ovechkin etched his name into NHL history, scoring his 895th goal to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. But what should’ve been a celebration of hockey greatness took an unexpected turn. The spotlight drifted from the ice to the stands, specifically to Gretzky’s guest, Kash Patel. The former government official’s appearance sparked a wave of political chatter, clouding what was meant to be a milestone moment in the sport.


Here’s what happened: Gretzky, invited to witness Ovechkin’s history-making night, was spotted at recent Capitals games alongside Patel, a former U.S. government official with Republican ties. That detail, insignificant to some, became headline fodder across social media.
Suddenly, instead of reflecting on the end of one era and the start of another, online chatter shifted to whether Gretzky’s presence next to Patel carried political weight. Some fans, particularly from Canada, voiced disappointment, questioning Gretzky’s silence on past political issues and reading into his choice of company.

Frank Seravalli, a respected NHL insider, thought so. He was quick to dismiss the controversy, reminding fans that Patel isn’t some outsider looking for a photo op—he’s a longtime hockey guy with actual time on the ice. According to Seravalli, dragging Gretzky into a political debate during a celebratory hockey moment is a misfire.
Let’s not forget what actually happened on the ice. Ovechkin scored a power-play goal in the second period against the Islanders, a goal that not only broke Gretzky’s record but redefined the ceiling for future scorers.
Gretzky handled the moment with quiet grace. He didn’t make it about himself. He didn’t push a narrative. He showed up, clapped, and passed the torch with a short message that was more personal than political. “I know how hard it is to get to 895,” he said, reflecting on his own kids being close in age to Ovechkin’s when he set the record.
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It was hockey history in real time. But somehow, the conversation drifted.
Maybe it’s time to let moments like this breathe. Not everything needs to be filtered through a political lens. Sometimes, two hockey legends crossing paths should be just that, a handoff, not a headline.