Clemente’s Corner: Alex Ovechkin’s Record-Breaking Goal Fuels Demand for His Memorabilia

Alex Ovechkin’s historic achievement of becoming the NHL’s all-time leading scorer has not only captured the attention of hockey fans around the world – but also sparked a surge of interest in his memorabilia and collectibles. 

Since surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding record of 894 goals on April 6, Ovechkin’s impact on the market for sports memorabilia has been nothing short of remarkable, with fans, collectors — and, yes, investors — alike all very eager to get their hands on a piece of hockey history.

There has been a plethora of offerings – from trading cards, stickers and autographed photos – commemorating the goal and Ovechkin’s career. When Ovechkin scored his 895th goal, it marked a moment that will be etched in NHL history and companies like Upper Deck and Fanatics were sure to cash in on the demand. So popular were the Ovechkin cards that when Upper Deck put those up for sale after he broke the record, it temporarily crashed the company’s ePack site.  

For many, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter in the value of the Russian star’s memorabilia. From game-worn jerseys and signed pucks to cards and autographs, Ovechkin’s collectibles, both new and old, have skyrocketed in both price and demand. 

This Ovechkin bump to the hockey hobby comes after last year’s craziness around Connor Bedrard’s rookie cards and this year’s first-ever PWHL set. It’s a great thing to see but also prices out so many lifelong hockey collectors who were used to bargains. 

This Ovechkin demand isn’t new. His values have fluctuated in recent years whenever talk of the record garnered media attention. Auction houses have reported a significant uptick in bids for items associated with Ovechkin, with many of the pieces being sold to eager collectors looking to secure their place in history. 

Ovechkin, it should be noted, also holds several other records, including the most power play goals, most goals in away games, most overtime goals, most game-winning goals, most individual goalies scored upon and most goals with one team in NHL history. The pandemic saw a huge surge in Ovechkin’s 2005-06 Young Guns card, for example, at a time when the card hobby saw a surge in popularity.  

Shortly after Ovechkin broke the record, Sports Collectors Daily reported that collectors won’t likely see any major items from the record-setting game. 

“Ovechkin is a collector himself, saving any important game-used sticks and jerseys for a museum he plans to open in his native Russia,” the site reported. “He wears a new jersey each period and each stick, puck and piece of game-used material is specially tagged.”

Collectors have not only flocked to acquire items tied directly to his record-breaking moment (like autographed photos featuring Ovechkin doing a bellyflop right after he scored the record-breaking goal), but also to items connected to his illustrious 20-year NHL career as a whole. From his first NHL goal to various milestones achieved with the Washington Capitals, memorabilia from these key moments are being sought after with newfound enthusiasm. The market for Ovechkin’s collectibles is now driven by a mixture of nostalgia, investment potential and a desire to own a piece of history.

I happened to be at The Chantilly Show at the Dulles Expo Center in suburban Washington for a few hours the day before Ovechkin broke the record. It was clear that Ovechkin-mania had taken over the region at a show where hockey cards and memorabilia is often hard to find. Instead, there were multiple hockey dealers there and many were selling Ovechkin stuff. It was great to see for a show known more for vintage baseball and football signers that anything related to hockey.

Nonetheless, many of the cards were insanely priced (I saw one dealer with an Ovechkin raw “Rookie Class” card selling for $100 when it should be somewhere between $10 to $30). Unfortunately, I expect such a surge to continue into the summer and at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago in July. It could get worse should the Caps go on a deep playoff run or win the Stanley Cup.

For some collectors, the value of Ovechkin’s items is not just about the potential financial return. In fact, I predict that as Ovechkin continues to play and climb further up the all-time goal list, the demand for his collectibles will only grow. With his career still ongoing, there is a sense of excitement in the air (the Caps are also in the playoffs), as collectors eagerly await what new milestones Ovechkin will hit and what the next chapter of his legendary career will bring.

For now, it’s clear that Ovechkin will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His place in hockey history is firmly cemented — as are his cards and memorabilia for collectors everywhere. Just wait for some of the hype to subside before going on a buying spree.  

Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi.

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