Former NHL goaltender Wade Flaherty reflects on being the last goalie to be scored on by Wayne Gretzky

Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record is nearing its climax, captivating hockey fans worldwide. With just seven goals needed to surpass Gretzky’s legendary 894, the NHL is on the brink of history. As anticipation builds, even Gretzky himself is cheering for Ovechkin’s remarkable journey to the top. For nearly 26 years, former NHL goaltender Wade Flaherty has held a unique place in hockey history: the last netminder Wayne Gretzky ever scored on. On March 29, 1999, in a New York Rangers victory over the Islanders, Gretzky netted his 894th and final NHL goal, cementing a record many believed would stand forever. Now, with Alex Ovechkin just seven goals away from surpassing it, Flaherty finds himself watching history unfold once again.“It’s kind of an answer to a trivia question,” Flaherty said. “A lot of people, even my goalies Eric Comrie and [Connor Hellebuyck], will be like, ‘Hey, you were the last goalie that Wayne Gretzky scored on,’ and it’s kind of a little bit of joking around, ribbing. But it’s pretty cool at the end of the day.”Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring dominance was unrivaled, with 894 regular-season NHL goals and an astounding 1,072 goals across professional hockey when including his time in the WHA. For years, the idea of another player challenging those numbers seemed improbable.“I don’t think anybody thought anybody could touch it,” said John MacLean, who was on Gretzky’s line when he scored his last NHL goal.Yet, Ovechkin has defied expectations. Despite playing in a different era, with tighter defensive systems and elite goaltending, his relentless pursuit of Gretzky’s record has captivated the hockey world. Even Gretzky himself has been a vocal supporter of Ovechkin’s chase.Gretzky’s last NHL goal wasn’t flashy, but it epitomized his brilliance. After intercepting a pass, he fired a shot that was initially stopped by Flaherty, but the puck remained loose. With his signature anticipation, Gretzky pounced on the rebound and buried it into the net.“He’d always find the right timing to come into that area and look for the loose puck,” said former NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara, who was on the ice that night. While Ovechkin is on the verge of breaking Gretzky’s NHL goal record, he still has work to do to reach the combined professional total of 1,072. However, if he chooses to chase it, he’ll have Gretzky’s full support.“For me, that's the incredible part and the humbling part of our game,” said Adam Graves. “Everyone in the hockey world has their eyes on it, and the best part is I think the biggest cheerleader is No. 99.”Also Read: A one-of-a-kind tribute to “The Great One”: Wayne Gretzky’s legacy was honored with iconic Goal Lamp at the North Pole