Special to the Herald-Tribune

Alex Ovechkin did what once seemed impossible – he broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record. That’s 895 goals. Say it again: eight hundred ninety-five.

Gretzky’s record had stood since 1999. For years, analysts said it was untouchable, the sports version of a market monopoly. And yet, here comes Ovi, at age 39, still charging toward the net like a guy who hasn’t read the retirement memo.

But here’s the thing: this moment wasn’t just for hockey fans. It was for anyone who’s spent years building something, waiting for it to compound, watching others come and go while you stay the course. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, sales veterans – you know the grind. Ovechkin’s milestone is your playbook.

Let’s talk about the two legends, and why this moment is more than a sports stat; it’s a lesson in smart business and career strategy.

The Gretzky Principle

Wayne Gretzky played 20 NHL seasons, scoring 894 goals and assisting on a staggering 1,963. Nobody saw the ice better. But his most quoted line doesn’t even involve numbers:

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“I skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.”

It’s a line that’s become the unofficial slogan of Silicon Valley and for good reason. That’s what business strategy is all about: anticipating trends, identifying gaps before they’re obvious, and moving your team into position before the market pivots.

Gretzky built his dominance on vision and finesse. He wasn’t the biggest or fastest. He just understood timing. That’s your product roadmap. That’s your M&A strategy. That’s knowing when to invest and when to pull back.

Ovechkin: Relentless execution

Now contrast that with Ovechkin, built like a linebacker with a shot like a cannon. Drafted first overall in 2004, he’s played his entire career with the Washington Capitals. He’s the kind of player who earns every inch, every point, through sheer will and repetition.

Where Gretzky was a visionary, Ovechkin is a machine of execution. And that’s another side of business most people underestimate.

Ovi didn’t break this record with one incredible season. He broke it with 20 of them. He kept showing up. He kept scoring. Even during shortened seasons, lockouts, and a global pandemic, he just kept putting pucks in the net.

In business? That’s your sales veteran who hits quota year after year. That’s your operations lead who doesn’t need applause but keeps the machine running, thank you Jamie. That’s the founder who doesn’t burn out or sell early, but sticks it out to build something truly lasting.

Staying with the mission

One of the most remarkable things about Ovechkin is that he never left D.C. In 20 seasons, he’s worn one sweater. In a league – and an economy – where people bounce from team to team chasing the next big deal, Ovi doubled down on a single organization.

That’s culture. That’s alignment. That’s trust in leadership and vision.

Businesses that foster this kind of loyalty win in the long run. Not because they throw the most money around, but because they create a sense of purpose. Look at Patagonia. Look at companies with low turnover and high engagement. They grow slowly, but they grow right.

Greatness makes room for more

And credit to Gretzky, who didn’t just show up for the record-breaking moment – he celebrated it. He stood there beaming like a proud coach, not a dethroned king. That kind of grace is rare, and it’s something business leaders can learn from.

Your legacy isn’t smaller because someone surpassed you. It’s greater when you’ve helped set the standard they chased. Whether you’re handing the reins to a successor or mentoring rising stars, being part of someone else’s greatness is a win, too.

Look, I’ll admit it: I once made a half-ice promotional shot during a University of Alaska Anchorage hockey game. One puck, one miraculous bounce, one free T-shirt. That was my brush with greatness. No training, no warmup – just dumb luck and a lot of layers.

It was fun, sure. But Ovechkin’s career wasn’t luck. It was methodical. And that’s the difference. In sports, in business, and in life: one shot is a fluke. A thousand goals? That’s a system.

So if you’re trying to grow something – your career, your company, your team – take a page from both of these legends.

Be like Gretzky: think ahead. Be like Ovechkin: show up, stay loyal, and keep shooting.

Either way, the strategy’s the same. It could be time to review your investment portfolio to ensure your wealth is skating to where the puck is.

Evan R. Guido is the founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Next-Gen Advisors List Member, and Financial Professional at Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Evan heads a team of retirement transition strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 or eguido@aksalawealth.com. Read more of his insights at heraldtribune.com/business. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, insurance services offered through an Avantax-affiliated insurance agency. 6260 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240.