For decades, our greatest athletes treated their memorabilia as an afterthought, in many cases, later seeing their jerseys, sneakers and equipment sell for shocking sums.
But as Alexander Ovechkin closes in on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record of 894, he is leaving nothing to chance.
The Washington Capitals star is a well-known and longtime collector of his own memorabilia as well as those of opposing players.
Sportico reported this habit was ignited by none other than Gretzky himself, who once told Ovechkin to make sure to keep his own game-used equipment.
Ovechkin has collected every puck and stick from every goal over the past few years, planning to display them one day at a museum in Moscow.
“They’re going to be part of the museum and part of my home,” Ovechkin told Sportico. “I’ve been a hockey fan since I was young. I want to see all the little [equipment] things.”
Additionally, Ovechkin, who sits six goals short of tying Gretzky's mark, has put together an enviable collection from opponents over the years, including more than 200 autographed sticks.
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On a recent episode of the NHL Unscripted podcast, Capitals forward and Ovechkin linemate Dylan Strome said players who assist on a goal leading up to the long-awaited record are asked to sign Ovechkin’s jerseys from the game.
Though Ovechkin snaps up much of his memorabilia, that hasn’t always been the case, and there have been plenty of instances of significant pieces reaching the public market, often via MeiGray, an authentication company and auction house that has specialized in hockey sweaters for decades.
MeiGray has sold multiple Gretzky’s jerseys worn for key goals, including No. 873.
The jersey Ovechkin wore when he scored “The Goal” in 2006 — a backhand score while falling to the ice in front of then-Coyotes coach Gretzky — sold for $111,930 in 2020.
Of course, Gretzky’s memorabilia has long been the leading draw in hockey.
A Gretzky stick used in the Oilers’ 1988 Stanley Cup-clinching game sold for $336,000 last year — the highest price ever paid for an NHL hockey stick at public auction. Gretzky’s jersey from his final point sold for $715,120.
Ovechkin’s last chapter is still to be written. But one thing we know for sure: He is well aware of the gravity of this moment, and he will have plenty to remember it by.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.