In collaboration with Washington Capitals Capt Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company will present a one-hour multi-platform storytelling event, “GR8TNESS,” documenting Ovechkin’s historic scoring moment 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 scoring list. The 60-minute show will air before the 2023 NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 PM on ABC. After its television premiere, the show will also be available to watch on ESPN+.
Video: ESPN’s GR8TNESS trailer
“GR8TNESS,” reported by ESPN’s Kevin Weeks, features historic footage, exclusive access and a series of exclusive interviews with Ovechkin, as well as NHL all-time leading scorer Wayne Gretzky, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals : general manager Brian McLellan, Capitals coach Peter Laviolette and Ovechkin’s teammates to set the stage for a prospect set on the best scorer of a generation. The special also features a panel discussion hosted by ESPN’s John Buchigros with ESPN on NHL analyst Rick DiPietro, reflecting on the 37-year-old’s illustrious career and future.
“We had a great entrance Alex Ovechkin for this project and were able to capture him as he continues to pursue a record that almost no one thought was possible,” said Andy Tennant, ESPN’s vice president and executive producer of Original Content. “This is probably the story of the greatest clean sheet scorer. from his rivalry with the superstar who entered the league on the same day, Sidney Crosby, to his relationship with the man Wayne Gretzky is chasing, to his impressive longevity. Viewers will understand how one of the all-time greats approached his craft, what it takes, game to game, season to season, all the pressure, all the passion.”
The show will debut nationally on ABC and will be available on cable and multiple platforms including ESPN, ESPN+, E60 and Hulu. ESPN produced the show with additional content provided by Monumental Sports & Entertainment Productions.
“We are excited to support Alex and partner with ESPN and their award-winning production team to give our fans a great behind-the-scenes look at our captain as he continues to chase history,” said Zach Leonsis, President of MSE Media. and New Ventures. “From the moment Alex stepped on the ice, we witnessed history before our eyes, and we are confident that ESPN and their industry-leading team will capture that in this documentary.”
Ovechkin, 37, has 32 goals in 52 games this season and is on pace for 49. Most in NHL history.
Ovechkin (812) is now behind only Gretzky (894) for the most goals in NHL history. On December 13, against the Chicago Blackhawks, Ovechkin recorded his 29th career hat trick, becoming the third player in NHL history to reach the 800 goal mark. Ovechkin also holds many other records, including most goals scored, most goals in road games, and most goals with the same team in NHL history.
Ovechkin, selected to his franchise-record 13th NHL All-Star Game, will make his eighth career appearance during the NHL All-Star festivities Feb. 2-4 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Ovechkin is the only player. Stanley Cup, Conn Smith, Calder, Art Ross, Hart, Ted Lindsay and Maurice Richard Trophies in NHL history.
.
Comments