Wayne Gretzky | Biography, Stats, Facts, & Stanley Cups (2024)

Wayne Gretzky | Biography, Stats, Facts, & Stanley Cups (1)

Wayne Gretzky

In full:
Wayne Douglas Gretzky
Byname:
the Great One
Born:
January 26, 1961, Brantford, Ontario, Canada (age 62)
On the Web:
Canada's Walk of Fame - Wayne Gretzky (Nov. 16, 2023)

Recent News

Wayne Gretzky (born January 26, 1961, Brantford, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian ice hockey player who was considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. By age 6 he was playing as an all-star in novice hockey with boys 10 and 11 years old. He progressed through organized age-group hockey, and in 1977 at the Junior World Cup competition, he was the youngest player and the leading scorer. Gretzky turned professional for the 1978–79 season, playing for the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). His contract soon was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, who joined the NHL at the beginning of the 1979–80 season. As centre and team captain, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories (in the 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, and 1987–88 seasons). Following the 1987–88 season, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

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Gretzky’s finesse and speed revolutionized the sport, which had been known for its physical play. In his first season with the Oilers, he scored 51 goals and 86 assists (137 total points). In the 1980–81 season he became the first player in NHL history to average more than two points a game. In the 1981–82 season he set NHL regular-season scoring records for goals (92), assists (120), and total points (212). (He broke the latter two records in the 1985–86 season with 163 assists and 215 total points.) Gretzky won the Art Ross Memorial Trophy (leading NHL scorer) for seven consecutive years, from the 1980–81 to the 1986–87 season, and won it again in 1989–90, 1990–91, and 1993–94. He was the first player to win the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the most valuable player each season, for eight consecutive years (from the 1979–80 through the 1986–87 season), and he received it again in 1988–89.

Wayne Gretzky | Biography, Stats, Facts, & Stanley Cups (5)

Wayne Gretzky | Biography, Stats, Facts, & Stanley Cups (6)

Early in the 1989–90 season Gretzky broke Gordie Howe’s NHL all-time scoring record of 1,850 points (the total number of goals and assists), and late in the 1993–94 season he broke Howe’s record for career goals (801). In 1996 Gretzky was traded by the Kings to the St. Louis Blues. Later that year he signed with the New York Rangers. With his 1,851st assist, scored in a 1997 game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Gretzky broke yet another record, scoring more assists than any player had scored points in an NHL career.

Gretzky retired from professional play after the 1998–99 season and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. His career totals include 2,857 points and 894 goals. The NHL retired his jersey number (99) after his final game. Gretzky became a minority owner of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes in 2000, and he was named the Coyotes’ head coach in 2005. The Coyotes struggled during Gretzky’s tenure, and he resigned as head coach in 2009, which was the same year in which he lost his ownership stake when the team filed for bankruptcy and was subsequently purchased by the NHL. In 2016 he returned to the Oilers franchise as a partner and vice chairman. However, he stepped down in 2021 and subsequently become a TV analyst.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

As an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of ice hockey, particularly the National Hockey League (NHL), I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the sport's history and its iconic figures. My passion for the game extends beyond casual fandom, and I can provide a comprehensive insight into the career of legendary Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky.

Wayne Douglas Gretzky, born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, is widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of the NHL. The evidence of his prowess lies in an impressive array of awards and honors that he accumulated throughout his illustrious career. Gretzky's impact on the game is evident in the numerous accolades he received, including the Stanley Cup (four times), the Hart Memorial Trophy (eight times), and the Art Ross Trophy (ten times). His jersey number, 99, was retired by the NHL after his final game, symbolizing his unmatched contributions to the sport.

Gretzky's journey in hockey began at the age of two and a half, and his father played a pivotal role in introducing him to the game. By the age of six, Gretzky was already showcasing his skills in novice hockey, playing alongside boys much older than him. His early achievements culminated in him becoming the youngest player and leading scorer at the Junior World Cup competition in 1977.

Notably, Gretzky's finesse and speed revolutionized the sport, bringing a new dimension to a game that was traditionally known for its physical play. His impact was immediate, with Gretzky achieving remarkable feats in his first season with the Edmonton Oilers, setting scoring records and averaging more than two points per game in the 1980–81 season.

Throughout his career, Gretzky continued to break records and redefine excellence in ice hockey. He surpassed Gordie Howe's NHL all-time scoring record early in the 1989–90 season and later broke Howe's record for career goals in the 1993–94 season. Gretzky's total career points stand at an impressive 2,857, with 894 goals.

After retiring from professional play in 1999, Gretzky remained involved in the hockey world, becoming a minority owner of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes in 2000. He even took on the role of head coach in 2005, showcasing his dedication to the sport beyond his playing days. Despite facing challenges during his coaching tenure, Gretzky's influence on the game persisted.

In 2016, Gretzky returned to his roots with the Edmonton Oilers franchise as a partner and vice chairman, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the sport and its development. However, he stepped down from this role in 2021, transitioning into a TV analyst.

In conclusion, Wayne Gretzky's impact on ice hockey is unparalleled, and his legacy is deeply ingrained in the history of the NHL. His achievements, records, and contributions have left an indelible mark on the sport, making him a true icon and the embodiment of excellence in ice hockey.

Wayne Gretzky | Biography, Stats, Facts, & Stanley Cups (2024)
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