Disney will broadcast a one-hour documentary on Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin this Saturday before the start of the 2023 All-Star game. Titled “GR8TNESS”, the documentary will chronicle Ovechkin’s chase for Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career scoring record.

“GR8TNESS,” reported by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, includes historic footage, special access, and a series of exclusive sit-down interviews with Ovechkin himself, as well as the NHL all-time leading goal scorer Wayne Gretzky, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan, Capitals coach Peter Laviolette, and Ovechkin’s teammates. 

The documentary will premiere Saturday before ESPN’s coverage of the 2023 NHL All-Star Game on ABC (2 p.m. ET). ESPN collaborated with the Capitals’ Monumental Productions to produce the film on the 13-time All-Star. Details:

• The ESPN documentary will include historical footage, special access, and sit-down interviews with the 37-year-old Ovechkin and the 62-year-old Gretzky.

• ESPN’s John Buccigross will also host a roundtable discussion. Analyst Rick DiPietro will also discuss Ovechkin’s career.

• The special will air nationally on ABC nationally replay across multiple platforms, including ESPN, ESPN+, E60, and Hulu.

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ARLINGTON, Va. – In collaboration with Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, ESPN & The Walt Disney Company will present a one-hour multi-platform storytelling event, “GR8TNESS,” documenting Ovechkin’s historic goal-scoring milestone and record-breaking career to date. Ovechkin made history on December 23, 2022, when he scored his 802nd career goal against the Winnipeg Jets at Capital One Arena, passing Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL’s all-time goals list. The 60-minute show will debut before the 2023 NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, February 4 at 2 p.m. on ABC. The show will also be available to watch on ESPN+ following the TV premiere. 

“GR8TNESS,” reported by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, includes historic footage, special access, and a series of exclusive sit-down interviews with Ovechkin himself, as well as the NHL all-time leading goal scorer Wayne Gretzky, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan, Capitals coach Peter Laviolette, and Ovechkin’s teammates to provide the foundation for an on-ice perspective into the greatest goal scorer of a generation. The special also contains a roundtable discussion hosted by ESPN’s John Buccigross with ESPN on NHL analyst Rick DiPietro reflecting upon the 37-year-old’s illustrious career and future. 

“We had great access to Alex Ovechkin for this project and were able to capture him as he continues to pursue a record that almost no one thought was approachable,” said Andy Tennant, ESPN VP and Executive Producer, Original Content. “This is the story of arguably the greatest pure goal scorer ever—from his rivalry with superstar who entered the league the same day, Sidney Crosby, to his relationship with the man he is in pursuit of, Wayne Gretzky, to his impressive longevity. Viewers will come to understand how one of the all-time greats has approached his craft, what it takes, game after game, season after seasons—all the pressure, all the passion.”

The show will debut on ABC nationally and will be available on cable and multiple platforms, including ESPN, ESPN+, E60 and Hulu. ESPN produced the show with additional content provided courtesy of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Productions. 

“We are excited to support Alex and partner with ESPN and their award-winning production team to provide our fans with an amazing behind-the-scenes look at our captain as he continues to chase history,” said Zach Leonsis, MSE President of Media and New Enterprises. “From the moment Alex has stepped onto the ice, we have witnessed history before our eyes, and we’re confident ESPN and their industry-leading team will encapsulate that in this documentary.”

The 37-year-old Ovechkin has recorded 32 goals in 52 games this season and is on pace to score 49. Should Ovechkin reach the 50-goal mark, it would mark his 10th career 50-goal season, passing Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the most in NHL history. 

Ovechkin (812) now only trails Gretzky (894) for the most goals in NHL history. On December 13 against the Chicago Blackhawks, Ovechkin recorded his 29th career hat trick to become the third player in NHL history to reach the 800-goal mark. Ovechkin also holds many other records, including for the most power-play goals, most goals in road games, and most goals with the same team in NHL history. 

Ovechkin, who was selected to his franchise-record 13th NHL All-Star Game, will be making his eighth career appearance at NHL All-Star festivities on Feb. 2-4 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Ovechkin is the only player in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe, a Calder, an Art Ross, a Hart, a Ted Lindsay, and a Maurice Richard Trophy.