On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Alexander Ovechkin did one thing that, just some years in the past, no hockey fan ever thought was potential. He broke Wayne Gretzky’s report for essentially the most objectives in an NHL profession.
Each the record-tying #894 and breaking #895 objectives got here from OV’s signature spot on the ice—on the high of the faceoff circle to the best of his victimized goaltender. Each tallies had been witnessed by the now-former report holder Gretzky, NHL management, and packed arenas filled with followers hoping to get a glimpse of historical past.
As anticipated, the second set off a flurry of exercise across the new purpose king as memorabilia corporations rushed to create commemorative merchandise. Funko instantly introduced a presale of a pending celebration determine, with an anticipated supply date in December. In the meantime, Higher Deck issued a digital card by its e-Pack program, which is predicted to be printed later this season. Additionally they created a constructing program the place collectors can degree up accrued playing cards to get a dual-signed card that includes Ovechkin and Gretzky in the end.
The brand new product hype, nonetheless, is exceeded by curiosity from collectors within the gadgets already of their collections or those who their associates could checklist on the market. Buzz for OV playing cards was seen in Fb teams and different collector boards, normally reserved for brand new sizzling prospects just like the Connor Bedard hype one yr in the past.
Begin a Gr8 Assortment
Barring an unexpected circumstance that will detract from Ovechkin’s legacy, his memorabilia isn’t prone to see a fall quickly. OV’s present contract expires on the finish of the 2025-26 season, and along with his Herculean efforts this season, which embrace 42 objectives and 69 factors in simply 61 video games performed (as of Wednesday, April 9), it’s totally conceivable that one other contract will comply with. If that occurs, the 1,000-goal watch will drive much more collector consideration to the Nice 8.
With that in thoughts, it’s onerous to not get in on the hype prepare now and put money into OV. Our Worth Information, which lists greater than 61,000 Ovechkin gross sales, reveals simply how a lot curiosity there may be within the Russian famous person. Narrowing the sphere right down to eight spotlight gadgets (as a result of jersey numbers matter) isn’t any straightforward job, however we’ve chosen a few of the must-haves in your need checklist.
Right here’s What You Want
2005-06 Higher Deck Collection 2 Younger Weapons—Ever since Higher Deck began releasing hockey playing cards, the Younger Weapons subset theme has commanded collector consideration like no different rookie card. Even in modern-era releases that includes serial numbering, autographs, and memorabilia swatches, these playing cards command essentially the most consideration. Excessive-grade copies can promote within the 5 figures, whereas uncooked (ungraded) playing cards could be discovered for beneath $1,000.
2005-06 Higher Deck The Cup—Now, we distinction the Younger Weapons card with the most costly Alexander Ovechkin card. Ninety-nine copies of this card function a game-used patch swatch and an autograph from the then-budding famous person. A number of copies of this highly-coveted card have hit the public sale ground, together with one graded 10 Gem Mint by PSA, which garnered over $180,000 in a Goldin public sale in 2023.
Report-breaking recreation ticket—Whereas most sports activities and leisure venues have gone paperless and eliminated bodily tickets from manufacturing, the UBS Enviornment isn’t amongst them. The New York Islanders’ house venue performed host to Ovechkin’s record-breaking efficiency, and sharp collectors swiftly put copies of the coveted ducat on eBay. One vendor netted $500 for his piece of historical past, which was in magnificent situation, due to ticket-takers scanning followers in fairly than ripping a stub.
The Gr8 Chase bobblehead—The Washington Capitals took the bobblehead up a notch after they enhanced it to pursue NHL report glory. This collectible features a counter that retains followers engaged with the determine fairly than letting it sit and gather mud. In response to one eBay vendor, these counters usually come caught, so watch out for non-functioning items when shopping for.
The Purpose signed picture—Inevitably, OV will signal a whole lot upon hundreds of images from his record-setting purpose and diving celebration, however this piece will arguably reside on with extra immortality. This image is from Ovechkin’s rookie season and is well-known merely as “The Purpose,” because the scoring champ potted one whereas sliding on his again towards the web. Not totally unusual or extremely beneficial, these images are an ideal collectible for show.
Ovechkin vs. Crosby puck—Like Magic Johnson and Larry Fowl, Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby reignited the NHL, which desperately wanted new heroes after a full-season lockout. The younger superstars remained rivals after their first season, however the pair is friendlier than heated foes. A number of collectibles that includes the pair are in the marketplace, however this can be essentially the most distinctive, because it’s a giveaway from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Stanley Cup decoration—The winter holidays and hockey go hand-in-hand (or mitt-in-mitt should you desire), so it’s not stunning that Hallmark has lengthy produced NHL ornaments for essentially the most great time of the yr. Whereas most are action-oriented, this Ovechkin piece captures a celebration—the Capitals captain holding the coveted Stanley Cup above his head. This piece isn’t totally beneficial, but it surely shows brilliantly.
Budweiser Zero of 895—Give Budweiser credit score for this excellent piece. After Ovechkin accomplished his purpose report, the “King of Beers” crafted a particular launch for the 28 goaltenders that OV didn’t rating on. Curtis Joseph was amongst those that confirmed off the presents on-line. Whereas not one of the cans have hit the market but, these might find yourself being auctions with a charitable trigger because the beneficiary.
In fact, these are simply the place to begin for any Alexander Ovechkin assortment. Numerous different items, excessive or low in worth, ought to be a part of your pursuit checklist. Begin your search with our Worth Information as your worth map now!
Jon Waldman is a Winnipeg-based author. He has written for Beckett, Go GTS, Canadian Sports activities Collector, and several other different pastime retailers over his 20 years within the pastime. His expertise additionally contains two books on sports activities playing cards and memorabilia. Join with Jon on Twitter at @jonwaldman.
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