During this year's ESPYS, Alex Ovechkin picked up some hardware.
His prize — the trophy for the year's best record-breaking showing — saluted how he climbed to the summit of the league's career goals chart over the course of 2024-25. Wayne Gretzky's previous total of 894 was eclipsed when Ovechkin notched career goal number 895 on April 6 against the Islanders of New York. A pair of additional tallies followed in the season's final week, leaving him at 897 as he heads into a 21st campaign in the NHL — needing just three more goals to stand alone, no other skater in history having ever climbed to a total of 900.
Handing out the award was Joey Logano, a three-time champion in NASCAR's Cup Series, joined on stage by the Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader. Logano made for a fitting choice, having been a skilled youth hockey player before committing himself entirely to racing.
Opening the envelope, Logano announced Alexander Ovechkin as the winner. Nader then explained that while Ovechkin couldn't attend, he had sent along a message.
A video then aired courtesy of ESPN, with Ovechkin seemingly reading from a scripted note. He offered an apology for his absence, noting that he was home preparing for the season to come. The supporters, he said, had his deep thanks, since their encouragement meant everything to both him and his loved ones; he likewise acknowledged the coaching staff, his fellow players, and Washington's entire organization for backing him. The team, he stressed, achieved something remarkable over the year and accomplished it collectively. He reserved particular gratitude for Gretzky, plus the rest of that family, for their constant presence in his life, then wrapped up by thanking his spouse, his kids, and the rest of his relatives before saying goodbye.
Just two players from the NHL went home with trophies that evening. The "Best NHL Player" ESPY belonged to the Oilers' Leon Draisaitl out in Edmonton. As for Ovechkin, he had collected that same player-of-the-year ESPY during an earlier portion of his career.
Hosting duties for this year's show fell to the comic Shane Gillis, while the Dolby Theatre, located in Los Angeles, California, served as the venue.