Gretzky

Wayne Douglas Gretzky (born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) 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. Gretzky is the leading scorer in NHL history, with more goals and assists than any other player. He garnered 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 6 All-Star records.

Early Life

Gretzky was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario. He showed a natural talent for hockey at a young age, playing on a team with older boys when he was just six years old. His father, Walter Gretzky, built a rink in the family's backyard where Wayne would practice for hours. By the age of 10, he had scored an astonishing 378 goals and 139 assists in just one season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers.

Junior Career

Gretzky's junior career began with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He played one season with the Greyhounds, scoring 182 points in 64 games. His performance caught the attention of the World Hockey Association (WHA), and he signed with the Indianapolis Racers in 1978.

Professional Career

World Hockey Association

Gretzky's professional career began in the WHA with the Indianapolis Racers, but he was soon traded to the Edmonton Oilers. When the WHA folded in 1979, the Oilers joined the NHL, and Gretzky's NHL career began.

National Hockey League

Edmonton Oilers

Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers from 1979 to 1988. During his time with the Oilers, he led the team to four Stanley Cup championships (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988). He won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) nine times and the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer ten times.

Los Angeles Kings

In 1988, Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that shocked the hockey world. He played for the Kings until 1996, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993. His presence in Los Angeles is credited with popularizing hockey in California and the southwestern United States.

St. Louis Blues

Gretzky was traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1996, where he played the remainder of the season. His time with the Blues was short-lived, and he signed with the New York Rangers in the off-season.

New York Rangers

Gretzky played the final three seasons of his career with the New York Rangers, retiring in 1999. He continued to break records and achieve milestones, including becoming the all-time leading scorer in NHL history.

Post-Playing Career

After retiring as a player, Gretzky became a coach and executive. He served as the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes from 2005 to 2009. He has also been involved in various business ventures and charitable activities.

Legacy

Gretzky's impact on the game of hockey is immeasurable. He is widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of the sport. His number 99 has been retired league-wide by the NHL, an honor no other player has received. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999, immediately following his retirement, with the usual waiting period being waived.

Related Pages

• National Hockey League
• Edmonton Oilers
• Los Angeles Kings
• Stanley Cup
• Hart Memorial Trophy
• Art Ross Trophy
• Hockey Hall of Fame