Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "The Great One", he has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters, players, and the NHL itself. More
He is the leading point-scorer in NHL history, with more assists than any other player has points, and is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season – a feat he accomplished four times. In addition, he tallied over 100 points in 16 professional seasons, 14 of them consecutive. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he held 61 NHL records: 40 regular-season records, 15 playoff records, and six All-Star records. As of 2009, he still holds 60 NHL records.
Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario Gretzky honed his skills at a backyard rink and regularly played minor hockey at a level far above his peers. Despite his unimpressive stature, strength and speed, Gretzky's intelligence and reading of the game were unrivaled. He was adept at dodging checks from opposing players, and he could consistently anticipate where the puck was going to be and execute the right move at the right time. Gretzky also became known for setting up behind his opponent's net, an area that was nicknamed "Gretzky's office".
Wayne Gretzky timeline
-
Wayne Gretzky is Born
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC (born January 26, 1961 in Brantford, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is formerly a... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Signs with Indianapolis Racers of the WHA
In 1978, the World Hockey Association (WHA) league was in competition with the established NHL. The NHL did not allow the signing of players under... Read more
-
Indianapolis Racers Trade Wayne Gretzky to Edmonton Oilers
Gretzky only played eight games for Indianapolis. The Racers were losing $40,000 per game. Skalbania told Gretzky he would be moved, offering him a... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Scores First Point of his Career in NHL Debut
After the World Hockey Association folded in 1979, the Edmonton Oilers and three other teams joined the NHL. Gretzky's success in the WHA carried... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Wins Hart Memorial Trophy (League MVP) in First NHL Season
In his first NHL season, 1979–80, Gretzky proved his critics wrong. He was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the League's Most Valuable Player... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Becomes First NHL Player to Break the 200-Point Mark
During the 1981–82 season, he surpassed a record that had stood for 35 years: 50 goals in 50 games. Set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard during the... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Becomes First Canadian to be Named AP Male Athlete of the Year
In 1982, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He was also named Sports... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Sets All-Star Game Record with Four Goals in One Period
The 35th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held on February 8, 1983, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, home... Read more
-
New York Islanders win Stanley Cup
The 1983 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Edmonton Oilers in their first-ever Final series appearance and the... Read more
-
Edmonton Oilers win Stanley Cup
The 1984 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Edmonton Oilers and the then-defending champion New York Islanders. Edmonton was making their... Read more
-
Edmonton Oilers win Stanley Cup
The 1985 Stanley Cup Finals was played between the defending champion Edmonton Oilers in their third-straight Finals appearance and the... Read more
-
Edmonton Oilers win Stanley Cup
The 1987 Stanley Cup Final was played between the Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Oilers would win the series 4–3, for their third... Read more
-
Edmonton Oilers won Stanley Cup
The 1988 Stanley Cup Finals was between the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins. The Oilers would win the series 4–0 in five games. Game four was... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Marries Janet Jones
It was when Gretzky was celebrity judge on Dance Fever that he met his future wife, American actress Janet Jones. According to Wayne, Janet does... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky is Traded to the Los Angeles Kings
Two hours after the Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1988, Wayne learned from his father that the Oilers were planning to deal him to another team.... Read more
-
Montreal Canadiens win Stanley Cup
The 1993 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens to decide the NHL... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky is Traded to the St. Louis Blues
On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the St. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, and two draft picks. He... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Signs with the New York Rangers
Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15 million with the Blues, and on July 22, he signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Plays His Last on Canadian Ice
As the season wound down, there was media speculation that Gretzky would retire, but he refused to announce his retirement. His last NHL game in... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Plays His Final Game
The final game of Gretzky's career was a 2–1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999 in Madison Square Garden. The national... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky is Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999, becoming the tenth player to bypass the three-year waiting period. The Hall... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky's #99 is Retired League-Wide
The week also was a good sendoff for Wayne Gretzky, who had retired the previous season. His #99 was raised to the rafters, despite him never... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Becomes the Phoenix Coyotes Head Coach
Almost immediately after retirement, several NHL teams approached him about an ownership role. In May 2000, he agreed to buy a 10% stake in the... Read more
-
Wayne Gretzky Steps Down as Phoenix Coyotes Head Coach
On 5 May 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Moyes agreeing in principle to sell to... Read more