Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is arguably the greatest goal scorer in NHL history (he’s 115 goals away from making that title official). And while he’s known for his rocket of a shot, the Great 8 is also known for his on-ice style.
The 36-year-old is one of the most unique players in the league with regard to his iconic appearance. Ovechkin still wears a tinted visor, something he has worn over the course of his now 18-year NHL career, and he also sports yellow laces. His style isn’t common, as the majority of the league’s players now wear classic white laces and regular visors. However, it has inspired the younger generation, as several upcoming hockey players swayed by the “Ovechkin effect” sport yellow laces, especially those in his home country of Russia.
But, for Ovechkin, his look also came from a role model from the past generation of hockey: Theo Fleury.
In a March 2022 interview with the Rod Peterson Show, Fleury shared a story about his meeting with Ovechkin, where he discovered that he played a major role in his style.
“He’s been one of the greatest players to ever play our game. He has an incredible opportunity to become the greatest goal scorer of our lifetime,” Fleury said on the show.
Fleury got to meet the Russian after a 2019 October morning skate in Calgary at the Saddledome. When he met with Ovechkin, he saw something strange: a reflection of his past self.
“I’m looking at him, and he’s got yellow laces and a tinted visor… I go, ‘where did you get that idea?’ And he says, ‘from you,'” Fleury described, adding, “[He said] I was a big fan of yours. I loved the way that you played… it was really kind of cool that I sort of inspired him.”
Went down to the Dome this morning and found out Ovi is a big Theo Fleury fan. Said his yellow laces and tinted visor inspiration came from me wearing them back in the day!!!! He also asked me for an autographed stick. Who’d of thought. Great morning. pic.twitter.com/8qwg3hmSg5
— Theo Fleury (@TheoFleury14) October 22, 2019
READ MORE ON WHN: After Devastating Eye Injury, Washington Capitals’ Carl Hagelin Has Finally Changed Visor
Ovechkin also asked Fleury for an autographed stick to add to his famous collection. He has been building that collection of sticks for years.
Back in 2018, Ovechkin passed Fleury for 62nd on the NHL’s all-time points list. He is currently 20th with 1,410 career points (780 goals, 630 assists) in 1,274 games. With at least 57 points this season, the Great 8 can climb into a tie for 15th.
Ovechkin is also chasing the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. He is 20 goals away from 800, 22 from passing Gordie Howe and 115 from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894. In 2021-22, Ovechkin passed Jaromir Jagr as the greatest European goal scorer of all time.
