12 Years In The Making

Congratulations goes out today to Alexander Ovechkin who did something that no one else has since the 1995-96 season. Ovechkin scored his 60th goal of the season last night versus the Atlanta Thrashers, the first man to do so in the NHL since Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux attained that level in 1996. In saying that Ovechkin is a sniper would be an understatement. The first overall pick from the 2004 NHL Entry Draft hasn't scored less than 46 goals in any of his three seasons thus far, and has tallied 158 goals in three seasons to this point. I'm quite certain that if Ovechkin stays healthy, he will be regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers of all-time. Heck, he might have that title already.

Let's go to the videotape, courtesy of TSN, for that 60th goal:

Congratulations, Mr. Ovechkin.

He's also scored some other highlight reel goals, none of which were bigger than this goal scored against the Phoenix Coyotes:

When Gretzky's impressed, you know you've done well.

To give you an idea of how long it's been since someone scored 60 goals, here are some remarkable events that occurred between September 1995 and June 1996, or the last time someone scored 60 goals in the NHL.

- Cal Ripken Jr. broke MLB's all-time consecutive games played record.
- eBay was founded.
- OJ Simpson was found not guilty in the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
- The Atlanta Braves won the World Series.
- Quebec seperatists lost a referendum in Canada for their independence.
- The Dallas Cowboys won their 5th Super Bowl.
- Daniel Green was convicted of the murder of James Jordan, Michael Jordan's father.
- Braveheart won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski was arrested at his Montana cabin.
- Major League Soccer opened its doors in the United States with the San Jose Clash defeating DC United by a 1-0 score.
- The Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, set the record for wins in a season with 70.
- The Colorado Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Florida Panthers in a four-game sweep.

Congratulations, Mr. Ovechkin! May the highlight reel goals be plentiful for the rest of your career as well!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!