Latest news with #Gretzky
Russia Today
6 hours ago
- General
- Russia Today
NHL legend Ovechkin to return to Russia in 2026
NHL star Alexander Ovechkin is reportedly planning to return to Russia in 2026 after completing the final season of his contract with the Washington Capitals. His wife, Anastasia Shubskaya, has told Russian media that the family will move back to Moscow following the 2025–26 NHL season. 'Ovechkin still has a year left on his contract. So, we will play next season and then fly back to Moscow, to our homeland,' Shubskaya said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty. 'We will stay in Russia,' she added. It follows reports that the upcoming season would be Ovechkin's last in North America. Earlier in May, some Capitals season ticket holders received an email suggesting 2025–26 would mark the end of the Russian forward's career with the franchise. However, the team later stated that the message was sent in error by a corporate sales employee, and no official retirement decision had been made. Despite that, several statements from Ovechkin's wife have indicated the couple intends to settle in Russia permanently after his NHL career ends. Ovechkin, 39, recently became the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL history. On April 6, 2025, he scored his 895th regular-season goal in a game against the New York Islanders, breaking Wayne Gretzky's long-standing record of 894. Ovechkin has since added two more goals, bringing his tally to 897. He is now aiming for a personal milestone of 900 regular-season goals – an achievement reportedly encouraged by Gretzky himself. Following his historic achievement, Ovechkin received congratulations from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Putin called it 'a true celebration for fans in Russia and beyond,' while Trump hailed the Russian star as 'great.' Ovechkin has yet to publicly confirm his retirement or post-NHL plans. However, in an interview in March 2024 with Russian media, he acknowledged he was considering leaving Washington and even mentioned a possible return to Moscow's Dynamo, where his professional career began.
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Gretzky says favourite nickname is the one Alberta gave him, not 'The Great One'
Article content 'My dad hated that one. He hated The Great One,' Gretzky admitted. Those same gloves sold for US$14,291 (CAD$19,727) at auction in 2019. His personal favourite, however, is Doc, in recognition of his honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta, awarded in 2000. Gretzky made the revelation on the recent New Heights podcast with brothers and pro footballers Jason and Travis Kelce. Gretzky told the Kelces he asked friends to call him Doc because people also did so for Dr. Jerry Buss, the late former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. In reality, Buss was a legitimate doctoral recipient, having completed a Ph.D in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California before becoming a real estate magnate and an NBA franchise owner. 'My kids even call me Doc,' Gretzky said. He offered a different version of how he earned the name five years ago on TNT's The Steam Room.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Gretzky says favourite nickname is the one Alberta gave him, not 'The Great One'
Already with one of the most iconic nicknames in professional sports history — The Great One — it's easy to forget that Wayne Gretzky was briefly bestowed with a different title: the White Tornado. During his minor hockey days, Gretzky, wearing white gloves, dominated a Quebec City tournament with speed and scoring prowess, leading someone in French media to dub him le Tornade Blanche. 'My dad hated that one. He hated The Great One,' Gretzky admitted. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Those same gloves sold for US$14,291 (CAD$ 19,727) at auction in 2019. His personal favourite, however, is Doc, in recognition of his honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta, awarded in 2000. Gretzky made the revelation on the recent New Heights podcast with brothers and pro footballers Jason and Travis Kelce. Gretzky told the Kelces he asked friends to call him Doc because people also did so for Dr. Jerry Buss, the late former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. In reality, Buss was a legitimate doctoral recipient, having completed a Ph.D in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California before becoming a real estate magnate and an NBA franchise owner. 'My kids even call me Doc,' Gretzky said. He offered a different version of how he earned the name five years ago on TNT's The Steam Room. He recounted being on a plane when one of the flight attendants asked if there was a doctor on board to help attend to a passenger with anxiety, prompting him to hit the call button. 'She goes, 'Really?' And I go, 'Yeah, I'm an honorary doctor.' She goes, 'That's not funny,' and I said, 'Well, my goodness, I wouldn't have said it if I thought the guy was really in trouble.' Doc was applied, he said, after he told friends on the golf course. Another little-known sobriquet he revealed to hosts Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson is Mr. Douglas, which was the name he'd use at hotels to avoid fans at the height of his fame. Douglas is also his middle name. Teammates quickly adopted it in the locker room once they found out. Gretzky said fellow former Oilers great Mark Messier, meanwhile, would often call him Mr. Waynderful.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gretzky says his favourite nickname is the one Alberta gave him and not 'The Great One'
Already with one of the most iconic nicknames in professional sports history — The Great One — it's easy to forget that Wayne Gretzky was briefly bestowed with a different title: the White Tornado. During his minor hockey days, Gretzky, wearing white gloves, dominated a Quebec City tournament with speed and scoring prowess, leading someone in French media to dub him le Tornade Blanche. 'My dad hated that one. He hated The Great One,' Gretzky admitted. Those same gloves sold for US$14,291 (CAD$19,727) at auction in 2019. His personal favourite, however, is Doc, in recognition of his honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta, awarded in 2000. Gretzky made the revelation on the recent New Heights podcast with brothers and pro footballers Jason and Travis Kelce. Gretzky told the Kelces he asked friends to call him Doc because people also did so for Dr. Jerry Buss, the late former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. In reality, Buss was a legitimate doctoral recipient, having completed a Ph.D in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California before becoming a real estate magnate and an NBA franchise owner. 'My kids even call me Doc,' Gretzky said. He offered a different version of how he earned the name five years ago on TNT's The Steam Room. He recounted being on a plane when one of the flight attendants asked if there was a doctor on board to help attend to a passenger with anxiety, prompting him to hit the call button. 'She goes, 'Really?' And I go, 'Yeah, I'm an honorary doctor.' She goes, 'That's not funny,' and I said, 'Well, my goodness, I wouldn't have said it if I thought the guy was really in trouble.' Doc was applied, he said, after he told friends on the golf course. Another little-known sobriquet he revealed to hosts Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson is Mr. Douglas, which was the name he'd use at hotels to avoid fans at the height of his fame. Douglas is also his middle name. Teammates quickly adopted it in the locker room once they found out. Gretzky said fellow former Oilers great Mark Messier, meanwhile, would often call him Mr. Waynderful. Wayne Gretzky predicts Oilers-Panthers rematch for Stanley Cup Wayne Gretzky insists he is 'proud' of his Canadian roots
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Gretzky says his favourite nickname is the one Alberta gave him and not 'The Great One'
Already with one of the most iconic nicknames in professional sports history — The Great One — it's easy to forget that Wayne Gretzky was briefly bestowed with a different title: the White Tornado. During his minor hockey days, Gretzky, wearing white gloves, dominated a Quebec City tournament with speed and scoring prowess, leading someone in French media to dub him le Tornade Blanche. 'My dad hated that one. He hated The Great One,' Gretzky admitted. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Those same gloves sold for US$14,291 (CAD$ 19,727) at auction in 2019. His personal favourite, however, is Doc, in recognition of his honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta, awarded in 2000. Gretzky made the revelation on the recent New Heights podcast with brothers and pro footballers Jason and Travis Kelce. Gretzky told the Kelces he asked friends to call him Doc because people also did so for Dr. Jerry Buss, the late former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. In reality, Buss was a legitimate doctoral recipient, having completed a Ph.D in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California before becoming a real estate magnate and an NBA franchise owner. 'My kids even call me Doc,' Gretzky said. He offered a different version of how he earned the name five years ago on TNT's The Steam Room. He recounted being on a plane when one of the flight attendants asked if there was a doctor on board to help attend to a passenger with anxiety, prompting him to hit the call button. 'She goes, 'Really?' And I go, 'Yeah, I'm an honorary doctor.' She goes, 'That's not funny,' and I said, 'Well, my goodness, I wouldn't have said it if I thought the guy was really in trouble.' Doc was applied, he said, after he told friends on the golf course. Another little-known sobriquet he revealed to hosts Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson is Mr. Douglas, which was the name he'd use at hotels to avoid fans at the height of his fame. Douglas is also his middle name. Teammates quickly adopted it in the locker room once they found out. Gretzky said fellow former Oilers great Mark Messier, meanwhile, would often call him Mr. Waynderful.
