Wayne Gretzky

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Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Nickname	The Great One
Height Weight	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg)
Pro Clubs	WHA  Indianapolis Racers  Edmonton Oilers NHL  Edmonton Oilers  Los Angeles Kings  St. Louis Blues  New York Rangers
Nationality	Canada
Born	January 26, 1961, Brantford, Ontario, CA
Pro Career	1978/79 – 1998/99
Hall of Fame	1999

Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Born in Brantford, Ontario and nicknamed "The Great One," Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the NHL calls Gretzky "the greatest player of all time".^[1] He is generally regarded as the best player of his era and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever"^[2] by many sportswriters,^[3][4][5] players,^[6] coaches, and fans. Along with his many awards and achievements, he is the only player to ever have his playing number, 99, officially retired across the entire National Hockey League.

Identified as a hockey prodigy at a very young age, Gretzky regularly played at a level far above his peers.^[7] He became a full professional at the age of 17 in the World Hockey Association, leading to a long career in the NHL. He set 40 regular-season records, 15 playoff records, 6 All-Star records, won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, and won 9 MVP awards and 10 scoring titles. He is the only player ever to total over 200 points in a season (a feat that he accomplished four times in his career). In addition, he tallied over 100 points a season for 15 NHL seasons, 13 of them consecutively.

He retired from playing in 1999, becoming Executive Director for the Canadian national men's hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also became part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000 and following the 2004-05 NHL lockout became their head coach.

Contents 1 Early years and the WHA 2 NHL career 2.1 Edmonton 2.2 "The Trade" 2.3 A Stopover in St. Louis 2.4 Reunion in New York 3 Skills 4 Post-retirement 4.1 Winter Olympics 4.2 The Heritage Classic 5 Off the ice 5.1 Gambling controversy 6 Career statistics 6.1 NHL records 6.2 Awards 7 International play 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links

[edit] Early years and the WHA

Gretzky's grandfather, was an immigrant who came to Canada at the beginning of the 20th century from the town of Mogilev in the Russian Empire (now Belarus).^[8] Taught by his father Walter, Gretzky was a classic prodigy. At age 6 he was skating with 10-year-olds. By the age of ten he scored 378 goals and 139 assists in just 85 games with the Nadrofsky Steelers and the first story on him was published in the Toronto Telegram . At 14, playing against 20-year-olds, he left Brantford to further his career and signed with his first agent.

He played a season in the Ontario Hockey League at the age of 16 with the Greyhounds. While playing for the Greyhounds, he began wearing the number 99 on his jersey. He had originally wanted to wear number 9 — for his old hero Gordie Howe — but it was already being worn by another teammate, Brian Gualazzi. At coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.^[9]

He became the youngest player to compete in the World Junior Championships, when he participated in Montreal in 1978 at age 16.^[10] Despite being the youngest player in the tournament by far, he finished as the tournament's top scorer, was voted to the All-Star team and Best Forward of the tournament.^[11]

That year (1978-79) he signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) as an underage player. The National Hockey League (NHL) does not allow the signing of players under the age of 18, but the WHA had no rules regarding such signings. Racers owner Nelson Skalbania signed the 17-year-old to an eight-year personal services contract worth between $1.12- and $1.75-million US over one to two years. Skalbania knew that the WHA was fading and that the Racers could not hope to be included among any teams taken in by the NHL. He hoped to keep the Racers alive long enough to collect compensation from the surviving teams when the WHA dissolved, as well as any funds earned from selling the young star.

However, eight games into the season, Skalbania needed money. He sold Gretzky to his former partner, and then-owner of the WHA's Edmonton Oilers, Peter Pocklington. Although the announced price was $850,000, Pocklington actually paid $700,000 to purchase Gretzky as well as two other Indianapolis players, goaltender Eddie Mio and forward Peter Driscoll.

On Gretzky's 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 20-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history) worth $4-5 million US. Gretzky went on to capture the Lou Kaplan Trophy for rookie of the year, finish third in league scoring (110 points), and help the Oilers to first overall in the league. The Oilers reached the Avco World Trophy finals before losing to the Winnipeg Jets. It would be Gretzky's only year in the WHA, as the league folded following the season.

[edit] NHL career

After the World Hockey Association folded in 1979, the Edmonton Oilers and three other teams^[12] joined the NHL. Gretzky's success in the WHA carried over into the NHL, despite some critics suggesting he would flounder in what was considered the bigger, tougher, and more talented NHL.^[13]

[edit] Edmonton

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 (the first of eight in a row^[14]) and tied for the scoring lead with Marcel Dionne with 137 points, which remains the most points by a first-year player. Since Dionne scored more goals (53 vs. Gretzky's 51), he was awarded the Art Ross Trophy over Gretzky. Gretzky became the youngest player to score 50 goals but was not eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the top NHL rookie, because of his previous year of professional experience. The rule was later changed. Instead, Boston Bruins' defenceman Ray Bourque won it.

In his second season, Gretzky won the Ross (the first of seven consecutive^[15]) with a then-record 164 points, breaking both Bobby Orr's record for assists in a season (102) and Phil Esposito's record for points in a season (152). He won his second straight Hart Trophy.

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 1944-45 NHL season and tied by Mike Bossy during the 1980-81 NHL season, Gretzky accomplished the feat in only 39 games. His 50th goal of the season came on December 30, 1981 in the final seconds of a 7-5 win against the Philadelphia Flyers and was his fifth of the game. Later that season, Gretzky broke Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76) on February 24, 1982 scoring four goals to help beat the Buffalo Sabres, 6-3. He ended the 1981-82 season with records of 92 goals, 120 assists, and 212 points in 80 games, becoming the first player in NHL history to break the 200-point mark.^[16] That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He was also named Sports Illustrated Magazine's 1982 "Sportsman of the Year."

The following seasons would see Gretzky break his own assists record three more times (125, 135, and 163) and his point record one more time (215).^[17] By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49 NHL records, which in itself was a record.

The Edmonton Oilers finished their last WHA season first overall in the regular season.^[18] The same success was not immediate when they joined the NHL, but within 4 seasons, the Oilers were competing for the Stanley Cup. The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring forwards Mark Messier, Gretzky, Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri, defenceman Paul Coffey, goaltender Grant Fuhr. Gretzky was its captain. In 1983, they made it to the Stanley Cup finals, only to be swept by the three-time defending champion New York Islanders. The following season, the Oilers met the Islanders in the Finals again, this time winning the Stanley Cup, their first of five in seven years. Gretzky was named an officer of the Order of Canada on June 25, 1984 for outstanding contribution to the sport of hockey. Since the Order ceremonies are always held during the hockey season, it took 13 years, seven months and two Governors-General before he could accept the honour. The Oilers, with Gretzky, also won the Cup in 1985, 1987, and 1988; and without him in 1990.

[edit] "The Trade"

On August 9, 1988, in a move that drastically changed the dynamics of the NHL, Gretzky was traded with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski by the Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15-million cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989 (Jason Soules), 1991 (Tyler Wright), and 1993 (Jason Arnott). "The Trade," as it came to be known,^[19] upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party House Leader Nelson Riis demanded the government to block it,^[20] and Pocklington was burned in effigy.^[21] Gretzky himself was considered a "traitor" by some Canadians for turning his back on his adopted hometown, his home province, and his home country; his motivation was widely rumoured to be to further his wife's acting career.^[22] Others believe it was Pocklington who instigated the trade, seeking to benefit personally from the transaction. After "The Trade", Gretzky's popularity sank across Canada, but only temporarily.

Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles saw a marked increase in attendance and fan interest in a city not previously known for following ice hockey. The Kings, who then played their home games at the Great Western Forum, boasted numerous sellouts on their way to reaching the 1989 playoffs. Despite being underdogs against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Oilers in the Smythe Division semifinals, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad, spearheading the Kings back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the series 4-3. Gretzky finished second in scoring but narrowly beat out Mario Lemieux (who scored 199 points) for the Hart Trophy as MVP. Many credit Gretzky's arrival with putting non-traditional U.S. hockey markets on "the NHL map"; not only did California receive two more NHL franchises (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the San Jose Sharks) during Gretzky's tenure in L.A., but his popularity in Southern California proved to be an impetus in the league establishing teams in other parts of the U.S. Sun Belt.^[23] In 1990, the AP named him Male Athlete of the Decade.

After being sidelined during the 1992-93 season with an upper back injury (the only year in which he didn't lead his team in scoring), Gretzky's tenure with the Kings reached its peak when he scored a hat trick in Game 7 of the 1993 Campbell Conference Finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs, propelling the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals. After winning the first game of the series, however, the team lost the next four in a row to the Montreal Canadiens. The team began a long slide that continued despite numerous player and coaching moves and failed to even qualify for the playoffs again until 1998. Long before that, running out of time and looking for a team with which he could win again, Gretzky had been traded from the Kings at his request.

[edit] A Stopover in St. Louis

On February 27, 1996 he joined the St. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, and draft picks. He scored 37 points in 31 games for the team in both the regular season and the playoffs, and the Blues came within one overtime game of the Conference finals. Unfortunately, he never clicked with the team or with his new right-winger, “The Golden Brett” Hull, on the ice as well as many had expected. On July 12, he signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier.

[edit] Reunion in New York

Gretzky ended his professional career with the Rangers. He played his final three seasons there and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997. The Rangers were defeated in the conference finals by the Philadelphia Flyers.

In 1997, prior to his retirement, The Hockey News named a committee of 50 hockey experts (former NHL players, past and present writers, broadcasters, coaches and hockey executives) to select and rank the 50 greatest players in NHL history. The experts voted Gretzky number one, ahead of the once seemingly incomparable Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe.

He participated in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Expectations were high for the Canadian team, but without the presence of Mario Lemieux (with whom Gretzky did well in the 1987 Canada Cup) and several other star Canadians due to injury, the team lost to the Czech Republic in the semi-finals.

His last NHL game in Canada was on April 16, 1999, in a 2-2 tie with the Ottawa Senators, and his final game was a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18 in which Jaromir Jagr scored the winning goal. The national anthems in that game were adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure. In place of "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", Bryan Adams sang "We're going to miss you Wayne Gretzky".^[24] The Star-Spangled Banner, sung by John Amirante, was changed from "the land of the free" to "the land of Wayne Gretzky". He scored his final point in this game, assisting on the lone New York goal scored by Brian Leetch. Gretzky was named as the first, second, and third star of both games. Only Maurice Richard has had such an honour, when during the Stanley Cup Playoffs on March 23, 1944, he scored five dominating goals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. His Montreal Canadiens won 5-1.

At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second-to-last WHA player still active in professional hockey, Mark Messier being the last.

[edit] Skills

Gretzky's dominance throughout his career was attributed to the amount of time he practiced (by his own account, at least 4-5 hours a day) and also that he was a natural prodigy. At 16, Gretzky's skills were already described as "a magic touch," that he had a good shot, moved the puck very well and never quit, playing "both ways" (defense as well as offense) and a player that any team could build their hockey club around. It was said that he "seems to have eyes in the back of his head" and had a knack of "rolling with a check."^[25]

By the time of his retirement, Gretzky had become known for setting up behind the net, which acquired the nickname of "Gretzky's office" because "he went to work there", passing to teammates like Luc Robitaille or Kurri or jumping out quickly for a wrap-around goal. In honour of that, for his last game there were two large "99s" painted on the ice behind the goal [1] No less an expert than Bobby Orr said he "thinks so far ahead," while Gretzky himself referred to it as having "...a feeling about where a teammate is going to be, a lot of times, I can turn and pass without looking."^[26]

[edit] Post-retirement

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 NHL then stated that he would be the last player to do so. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000.

Gretzky's #99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 NHL All-Star game. Later that year, he became Alternate Governor and Managing Partner of the Phoenix Coyotes NHL team. Rumours began regarding Gretzky becoming the head coach of the team, but were nixed by Gretzky and the rest of the Coyotes' ownership.^[27]

Despite previous denials, on August 8, 2005 Gretzky agreed to become the new coach of the Coyotes. This was announced following the conclusion of the 2004-05 NHL lockout and may have been partly a marketing decision due to the league's financial struggles, though few question Gretzky's overriding motive to win hockey games.

In the time leading up to Gretzky's announcement, several prominent free agents signed with Phoenix citing the chance to play for Gretzky, including Brett Hull. Hull, who was briefly Gretzky's right winger, only lasted five games and only scored one assist before retiring. Ironically, "The Golden Brett" would have had the record for the most goals over any given three seasons — he scored 228 goals between 1989-90 and 1991-92 — if it weren't for The Great One. From 1981-82 to 1983-84, Gretzky scored 254 goals.

Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5, 2005, the opening night of the 2005-06 NHL season, losing 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks. His first coaching victory was October 8, 2005, beating the Minnesota Wild 2-1.

Gretzky took an indefinite leave of absence as coach on December 17, 2005 to care for his ill mother in Brantford, Ontario. His mother lost her battle to lung cancer two days later, passing away on December 19, 2005. Assistant coach Rick Tocchet assumed the position until Gretzky's return on December 28.

Coyotes' CEO Jeff Shumway announced on June 5, 2006 that Gretzky has agreed to a new five-year contract to remain as head coach, and the team has hired Ulf Samuelsson as an assistant coach, replacing Rick Bowness.

[edit] Winter Olympics

Gretzky was Executive Director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a press conference, frustrated with speculation regarding his team's uninspiring 1-1-1 start. His temper boiled over after Canada's 3-3 draw vs. the Czech Republic, as he launched a tirade against the perceived negative reputation of Team Canada amongst other national squads, and called rumours of dissent in the dressing room the result of "American propaganda." "They're loving us not doing well," he said, referring to American hockey fans. American fans online began calling Gretzky a "crybaby"; defenders said he was merely borrowing a page from former coach Glen Sather to take the pressure off his players. Canada went on to win the gold medal.

Gretzky again acted as Executive Director of Canada's men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy,^[28] though not to the success of 2002; the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals and failed to win a medal. He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 Ice Hockey World Championships, but declined due to his mother's poor health.

[edit] The Heritage Classic

Main article: Heritage Classic

Although Gretzky previously stated he would not participate in any old-timers exhibition games, on November 22, 2003, Gretzky took to the ice one last time to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. The Heritage Classic was the first NHL game to be played outdoors, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Preceding the NHL game was the Mega Stars game that reunited Gretzky and many of his retired Oiler teammates (Messier, Fuhr, Kurri, Lowe etc.) against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players like Claude Lemieux and Lafleur in front of 57,167 fans (an NHL record) in the frigid temperatures, as well as millions more on television.^[29] The Edmonton alumni won the game, 2-0, while Montreal went on to win the regular season game held later that day, 4-3. The game was subsequently released on DVD titled, "Heritage Classic: A November to Remember".

[edit] Off the ice

Gretzky met American actress Janet Jones in 1984 when he was a judge on Dance Fever and she was a dancer on the show. They began dating after running into each other at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 1987.^[30] Janet was four months pregnant with Paulina when they married on July 17, 1988.^[31] "The Royal Wedding" was broadcast live throughout Canada from Edmonton's St. Joseph's Basilica, although neither Gretzky nor Jones is Roman Catholic. Members of the Fire Department acted as guards at the church steps. The lavish event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1 million. They have 4 other children: Ty Robert (b. July 9, 1990), Trevor Douglas (b. September 14, 1992), Tristan Wayne (b. August 2, 2000), and Emma Marie (b. March 28, 2003). Gretzky also obtained an American citizenship, after the marriage, and currently resides in the United States. His son Ty lived with Wayne in Arizona during the 2005-06 NHL season while the other children lived with Janet in the family's Thousand Oaks Georgian home.

While in Edmonton, Gretzky endorsed a variety of products including denim jeans, his own line of wallpaper, pillow cases, cereal, chocolate bars, clocks, lunch boxes and a Mattel doll.^[32] Other plugs include Koho, Titan, and Easton hockey sticks, Thrifty Rent A Car, Peak Antifreeze, Ford-Canada, Coca-Cola, Esso, McDonald's, Campbell's Soup, the Official All-Star Café, Primestar TV, Upper Deck, Nike, Ultra Wheels, Hallmark Cards, Zürich Insurance, 7 Up, Tylenol, Canadian Imperial Bank, and Power Automotive Group. He and Ty did commercials for the Sharp Viewcam.^[33] Forbes estimates that Gretzky earned US$93.8 million from 1990-98.

In 1991 Gretzky purchased the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL with Bruce McNall and John Candy. He and McNall bought one of the Honus Wagner T206 cigarette cards. He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1989 (the first and so far only hockey player to host) and lent his likeness (along with Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson) to a 1992 cartoon show, ProStars,^[34] and video games in 1991, 1996, 2004, and 2006. He posed for the cover of Cigar Aficionado with Jones.

In 1998, he launched a line of menswear,^[35] and signed a licensing agreement with a phone card company.

In poker, a pair of nines is sometimes called a Gretzky.^[36] The model of helmet that Gretzky wore throughout his career, the Jofa VM, is known popularly as the "Gretzky helmet", even though it was worn by other NHL players. They are today a collectors' item.

He has been the subject of artwork by Andy Warhol and LeRoy Neiman.

He is the subject of the song "Gretzky Rocks" by the Canadian band The Pursuit of Happiness.

McFarlane Toys created by Oilers co-owner and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, is known for his line of highly detailed sports figures called McFarlane Sports Picks. McFarlane has released an NHL Legends line featuring numerous figures of Gretzky in his Oilers, Kings and Rangers uniform. Some figures commemorate Gretzky and his achievements during his NHL career such as his first Stanley Cup win and the day he broke Gordie Howe's all-time scoring record in 1989.

[edit] Gambling controversy

On February 7, 2006, Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet was implicated in a New Jersey-based gambling ring. Bets were allegedly taken from NHL players, Janet Jones and Coyotes GM Michael Barnett, who confirmed to police he placed a bet on Super Bowl XL with Tocchet. Gretzky stated: "I did nothing wrong, or nothing that has to do with anything along the lines of betting; that never happened... I'll say it one more time: I didn't bet, didn't happen, not going to happen, never will happen, hasn't happened, not something I've done."^[37] Reports by the Newark Star-Ledger stated that the New Jersey State Police possessed wiretaps with Gretzky speaking to Tocchet. Sources told the paper there is no evidence Gretzky made any bets, but police were attempting to learn if he placed any through his wife.^[38] Another source later confirmed that the wiretap occurred after police went to Gretzky's house to question Jones.^[39] It was announced on February 16, 2006 that Gretzky would not be charged nor would it be likely his wife would be charged.^[40]

On March 15, 2006, the New Jersey attorney general announced it will subpoena Jones to testify as soon as a grand jury convenes. On May 8, Tocchet and Jones filed separate notices that they intend to sue the State of New Jersey for $50 million each for defamation, claiming the investigation damaged their reputations and cost them business opportunities.^[41] On August 3, former New Jersey state trooper James Harney pleaded guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct, and promised to help authorities with their case against Tocchet.^[42]

[edit] Career statistics

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	PP	SH	GW		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1975-76	Vaughan Nationals	OHA-B		28	27	33	60	7	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1976-77	Seneca Eagles	OHA-B		32	36	36	72	35	—	—	—	—		23	40	35	75	—
1976-77	Peterborough Petes	OHL		3	0	3	3	0	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1977-78	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL		64	70	112	182	14	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1978-79	Indianapolis Racers	WHA		8	3	3	6	0	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1978-79	Edmonton Oilers	WHA		72	43	61	104	19	—	—	—	—		13	10	10	20	2
1979-80	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		79	51	86	137	21	+15	13	1	6		3	2	1	3	0
1980-81	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		80	55	109	164	28	+41	15	4	3		9	7	14	21	4
1981-82	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		80	92	120	212	26	+81	18	6	12		5	5	7	12	8
1982-83	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		80	71	125	196	59	+60	18	6	9		16	12	26	38	4
1983-84	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		74	87	118	205	39	+76	20	12	11		19	13	22	35	12
1984-85	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		80	73	135	208	52	+98	8	11	7		18	17	30	47	4
1985-86	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		80	52	163	215	46	+71	11	3	6		10	8	11	19	2
1986-87	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		79	62	121	183	28	+70	13	7	4		21	5	29	34	6
1987-88	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		64	40	109	149	24	+39	9	5	3		19	12	31	43	16
1988-89	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		78	54	114	168	26	+15	11	5	5		11	5	17	22	0
1989-90	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		73	40	102	142	42	+8	10	4	4		7	3	7	10	0
1990-91	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		78	41	122	163	16	+30	8	0	5		12	4	11	15	2
1991-92	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		74	31	90	121	34	-12	12	2	2		6	2	5	7	2
1992-93	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		45	16	49	65	6	+6	0	2	1		24	15	25	40	4
1993-94	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		81	38	92	130	20	-25	14	4	0		—	—	—	—	—
1994-95	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		48	11	37	48	6	-20	3	0	1		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		62	15	66	81	32	-7	5	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	St. Louis Blues	NHL		18	8	13	21	2	-6	1	1	1		13	2	14	16	0
1996-97	New York Rangers	NHL		82	25	72	97	28	+12	6	0	2		15	10	10	20	2
1997-98	New York Rangers	NHL		82	23	67	90	28	-11	6	0	4		—	—	—	—	—
1998-99	New York Rangers	NHL		70	9	53	62	14	-23	3	0	3		—	—	—	—	—
20 years	Totals	NHL		1487	894	1963	2857	577	+518	204	73	91		208	122	260	382	66

[edit] NHL records

For more information and a list of Gretzky's official and unofficial records, see Wayne Gretzky's records.

Wayne Gretzky held or shared 61 NHL records upon his retirement on April 18, 1999, including 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 all-star records.

The regular season records include most goals in a season (92), most assists in a season (163), and most points in a season (215). He also holds the record for the fastest 50 goals, accomplishing that feat in only 39 games and the record for most goals in a 50 game period (61, which he accomplished twice). In 1983-84, he had a 51-game point-scoring streak that has been compared to "Joltin' Joe" DiMaggio's streak in baseball, during which he scored 61 goals and received credit for 92 assists (153 points).

Gretzky set impressive records in both regular season and post-season play, holding the record for most career regular season goals (894), assists (1,963), points (2,857), and hat tricks (50). The next closest player in total points for the regular season is Mark Messier at 1,887. Gretzky's point total including regular season and playoffs stands at an imposing 3,239. Gretzky also had more career assists than any other player has ever gained total points.

His 47 playoff points in 1985 and 31 assists in 1988 are still records for a single post-season round, and he holds the record for career playoff goals (122), assists (260), points (382), hat tricks (10), and game winning goals (24).

[edit] Awards

He won nine Hart Trophies, the NHL's most valuable player award, and eight of these were awarded in consecutive years from 1980-87. Gretzky holds the record for most MVP awards of any player in North American professional sports.

• Lou Kaplan Trophy (WHA rookie of the year) — 1979
• Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player) — 1980—87, 1989
• Art Ross Trophy (scoring champion) — 1981—87, 1990, 1991, 1994
• Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff most valuable player) — 1985, 1988
• Lester B. Pearson Award (outstanding player, voted by the players) – 1982—85, 1987
• Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship) — 1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999
• NHL Plus/Minus Award (best plus-minus rating) — 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987
• Chrysler-Dodge/NHL Performer of the Year – 1985—87
• Lester Patrick Trophy (outstanding service to hockey in the United States) — 1994
• Lou Marsh Trophy (Canadian athlete of the year) — 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989
• NHL All-Star Game MVP — 1983, 1989, 1999
• NHL First All-Star Team — 1981—87, 1991
• NHL Second All-Star Team — 1980, 1988—90, 1994, 1997, 1998
• In 1998, he was ranked number 1 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
• Member of the Order of Canada^[43]
• First international recipient of the Horatio Alger Award^[44]
• Received star on Canada's Walk of Fame^[45]

[edit] International play

Played for Canada in:

• 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (bronze medal)
• 1981 Canada Cup (silver medal)
• 1982 World Championships (bronze medal)
• 1984 Canada Cup (gold medal)
• 1987 Canada Cup (gold medal)
• 1991 Canada Cup (gold medal)
• 1996 World Cup of Hockey (silver medal)
• 1998 Winter Olympics (failed to medal)

International statistics

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1978	Canada	WJC		6	8	9	17	2
1981	Canada	CC		7	5	7	12	2
1982	Canada	WCh		10	6	8	14	0
1984	Canada	CC		8	5	7	12	2
1987	NHL All-Stars	RV-87		2	0	4	4	0
1987	Canada	CC		9	3	18	21	2
1991	Canada	CC		7	4	8	12	2
1996	Canada	WCp		8	3	4	7	2
1998	Canada	OG		6	0	4	4	2
Int'l Totals				63	34	69	103	14

[edit] See also

• List of NHL players
• 50 goals in 50 games
• Wayne Gretzky's records
• List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• List of NHL statistical leaders
• List of NHL seasons
• Gretzky Family
• List of family relations in the National Hockey League
• List of NHL players with 1000 points
• List of NHL players with 500 goals

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Wayne Gretzky with Rick Reilly (1990). Gretzky: An Autobiography. An Edward Burlingame Book. ISBN 0-06-016339-9
• Wayne Gretzky, John Davidson, and Dan Diamond. 99: My Life in Pictures. ISBN 0-920445-67-5
• SLAM! Presents Wayne Gretzky, Canadian Online Explorer: SLAM! Sports.
• Wayne Gretzky Fansite, Wayne Gretzky Stats, Biography, Career Milestones and Quotes
• Wayne Gretzky on NHL.com

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wayne Gretzky

• Wayne Gretzky - The Official Homepage
• NHL.com Wayne Gretzky section
• The Greatest Canadians
• Armstrong Draws Inspiration from Gretzky
• Order of Canada Citation
• United Athletes Magazine Gretzky's physical qualities and abilities.
• CBC Digital Archives – The Great Wayne Gretzky

Phoenix Coyotes Head Coaches
Hay • Schoenfeld • Francis • Bowness • Gretzky

Current National Hockey League head coaches
Babcock • Carbonneau • Carlyle • Crawford • Gretzky • Hanlon • Hartley • Hitchcock • Julien • Laviolette • Lemaire • Lewis • MacTavish • Martin • Maurice • A.Murray • B.Murray • Nolan • Playfair • Quenneville • Renney • Ruff • Savard • Stevens • Therrien • Tippett • Tortorella • Trotz • Vigneault • Wilson

Preceded by Rick Bowness, interim coach	Phoenix Coyotes Head Coach 2005 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by Shayne Corson	St. Louis Blues captains 1996	Succeeded by Chris Pronger
Preceded by Dave Taylor	Los Angeles Kings captains 1989–1996 Luc Robitaille 1992–93	Succeeded by Rob Blake
Preceded by Lee Fogolin	Edmonton Oilers captains 1983—88	Succeeded by Mark Messier
Preceded by Mario Lemieux	Winner of the Art Ross Trophy 1994	Succeeded by Jaromir Jagr
Preceded by Mario Lemieux	Winner of the Art Ross Trophy 1990, 1991	Succeeded by Mario Lemieux
Preceded by Marcel Dionne	Winner of the Art Ross Trophy 1981—1987	Succeeded by Mario Lemieux
Preceded by Mario Lemieux	Winner of the Hart Trophy 1989	Succeeded by Mark Messier
Preceded by Bryan Trottier	Winner of the Hart Trophy 1980–1987	Succeeded by Mario Lemieux
Preceded by Ron Hextall	Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy 1988	Succeeded by Al MacInnis
Preceded by Mark Messier	Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy 1985	Succeeded by Patrick Roy
Preceded by Jari Kurri	NHL Goal Leader 1987	Succeeded by Mario Lemieux
Preceded by Mike Bossy	NHL Goal Leader 1982—1985	Succeeded by Jari Kurri
Preceded by Bob MacMillan	Winner of the Lady Byng Trophy 1980	Succeeded by Rick Kehoe
Preceded by Brett Hull	Winner of the Lady Byng Trophy 1991, 1992	Succeeded by Pierre Turgeon
Preceded by Pierre Turgeon	Winner of the Lady Byng Trophy 1994	Succeeded by Ron Francis
Preceded by Ron Francis	Winner of the Lady Byng Trophy 1999	Succeeded by Pavol Demitra
Preceded by Mark Howe	Winner of the NHL Plus/Minus Award 1987	Succeeded by Brad McCrimmon
Preceded by Charlie Huddy	Winner of the NHL Plus/Minus Award 1984-1985	Succeeded by Mark Howe
Preceded by Susan Nattrass	Lou Marsh Trophy winner 1982, 1983	Succeeded by Gaétan Boucher
Preceded by Gaétan Boucher	Lou Marsh Trophy winner 1985	Succeeded by Ben Johnson
Preceded by Carolyn Waldo	Lou Marsh Trophy winner 1989	Succeeded by Kurt Browning

Persondata
NAME	Gretzky, Wayne Douglas
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	"The Great One"
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Professional hockey player
DATE OF BIRTH	January 26, 1961
PLACE OF BIRTH	Brantford, Ontario, Canada
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH