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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1961)}}
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{{redirect|Gretzky|other people with the same name and other uses|Gretzky (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Ice Hockey Player
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| image = Gretzky aug2001 closeup.jpg
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| image_size = 240px
{{Featured article}}
| position = ]
{{Use Canadian English|date=July 2020}}
| played_for = ''''']'''''<br>&nbsp;]<br>&nbsp;]<br>''''']'''''<br>&nbsp;]<br>&nbsp;]<br>&nbsp;]<br>&nbsp;]
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
| shot = Left
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Wayne Gretzky<br />{{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CC}}
| halloffame = 1999
| image = Andrew Scheer with Wayne Gretzky (48055697168) (cropped).jpg
| alt = Middle-aged man with brown-grey hair wearing a dark blue jacket and a light blue dress shirt
| caption = Gretzky in June 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|1|26}}
| birth_place = ], Ontario, Canada
| height_ft = 6 | height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0 | height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 185 | weight_lb = 185
| position = ]
| nickname = The Great One
| nationality = CAN | shoots = Left
| played_for = {{Plain list|
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|1|26}}
* ]
| birth_place = ], ], ]
* ]
| career_start =]
* ]
| career_end = ]
* ]
| halloffame = ]
* ]
}} }}
| coached_for = ]
'''Wayne Douglas Gretzky''', ] (born ] ] in ], ]) is a retired ] professional ] player who is currently ] and ] of the ].
| ntl_team = Canada
| career_start = 1978
| career_end = 1999
| career_start_coach = 2005
| career_end_coach = 2009
| website = {{Official website|http://www.gretzky.com}}
}}
{{Wayne Gretzky series}}

'''Wayne Douglas Gretzky''' {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CC}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|ɛ|t|s|k|i}} {{respell|GRET|skee}}; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ] player and former ]. He played 20 seasons in the ] (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "'''the Great One'''",<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne Gretzky finally explains meaning behind 'The Great One' nickname |publisher=] |date=May 21, 2014 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nbc-yahoo-sports/wayne-gretzky-finally-explains-meaning-behind--the-great-one--nickname-165818064.html |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015013641/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nbc-yahoo-sports/wayne-gretzky-finally-explains-meaning-behind--the-great-one--nickname-165818064.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he has been called the greatest ice hockey player ever by the NHL<ref name="Greatest"/> based on surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kay|first=Jason|author2=Ken Campbell |author3=Adam Proteau |title =The Hockey News – The Top 60 Since 1967|publisher=]| year =2007|location=Montreal| page =15| isbn=978-0-9738355-4-0}}</ref> Gretzky is the leading career goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in NHL history,<ref name="stubbs">{{cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Dave |title=Wayne Gretzky: 100 Greatest NHL Players |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-285574558?tid=283865022 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 27, 2018 |date=January 1, 2017 |archive-date=December 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208091729/https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-285574558?tid=283865022 |url-status=live }}</ref> and has more career assists than any other player has total points. He is the only NHL player to total over 200&nbsp;points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times. In addition, Gretzky tallied over 100&nbsp;points in 15 professional seasons. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he ]: 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 ] records.<ref name="Greatest">For his titles, see {{cite web |url=http://www.ualbertacentennial.ca/achievements/degrees/2000.html |title=University of Alberta: Honorary Degree Recipients (2000–2007) |website=Ualbertacentennial.ca |year=2000 |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030555/http://www.ualbertacentennial.ca/achievements/degrees/2000.html |url-status=live }}
* Regarded as the best player in the history of the NHL: see {{cite encyclopedia |title=Wayne Gretzky |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9001584/Wayne-Gretzky |access-date=June 10, 2008 |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726035200/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9001584/Wayne-Gretzky |url-status=live }}
* Regarded as the greatest by many sportswriters: see {{Cite book |last=Falla |first=Jack |chapter=The Greatest One Bar None |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7710-4175-4 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |page=16}}
* That many players share the view, see {{cite news |last=Maloney |first=Tom |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1159670,00.html |title=Gretzky's Awkward Arrival |magazine=] |date=February 15, 2006 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |archive-date=August 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823150141/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1159670,00.html |url-status=dead }}
* That the NHL shares the view, see {{cite book |last=Falla |first=Jack |editor=Dan Diamond |chapter-url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |chapter=Wayne Gretzky: Greatness Ascendant |title=Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League |publisher=Total Sports |isbn=978-1-892129-85-7 |year=2000 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111345/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |url-status=live }}
* For the records he held at retirement, see {{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384583 |title=NHL Records Held or Shared by Wayne Gretzky |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117175833/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384583 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Born and raised in ], Ontario, Gretzky honed his skills on a backyard rink and regularly played ] at a level far above his peers.<ref name="Young">{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014218.html |title='Great' and 'Gretzky' belong together |work=ESPN |access-date=October 4, 2006 |archive-date=July 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719224831/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014218.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite his unimpressive size and strength, Gretzky's intelligence, stamina, and reading of the game were unrivaled. He was adept at dodging checks from opposing players, consistently anticipated where the puck was going to be, and executed the right move at the right time. Gretzky became known for setting up behind his opponent's net, an area that was nicknamed "Gretzky's office".<ref name="sptimes.com">{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Tim |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/03/hockeyschool/graphic.shtml |title=Gretzky's office |work=] |access-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522144513/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/03/hockeyschool/graphic.shtml |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Gretzky was the top scorer in the ]. In June 1978, he signed with the ] of the ] (WHA), where he briefly played before being traded to the ]. When the WHA folded, the Oilers joined the NHL, where he established many scoring records and led his team to four ] championships. Gretzky's trade to the ] on August 9, 1988, had an immediate impact on that team's performance, ultimately leading them to the ], and he is credited with popularizing hockey in California.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Kevin |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2008-08-07-gretzky-trade-anniversary_N.htm |title=Gretzky trade remembered for 'seismic impact' |work=USA Today |date=August 10, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608202541/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2008-08-07-gretzky-trade-anniversary_N.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Gretzky played briefly for the ] before finishing his career with the ]. Gretzky captured nine ] as the most valuable player, 10 ] for most ] in a season, two ] as playoff MVP and five Lester B. Pearson Awards (now the ]) for most outstanding player as judged by his peers. He led the league in goal-scoring five times and assists 16 times. He also won the ] for sportsmanship and performance five times and often spoke out against ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/getting-rid-of-hockeys-goons/article4403671/ |title=Getting rid of hockey's goons |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |date=September 2, 2011 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |quote=Once upon a time, Wayne Gretzky opposed fighting in hockey as passionately as Sinden, suggesting soon after he arrived in Los Angeles that hockey would never be a mainstream sport as long as fighting was condoned the way it was. Ultimately, as Gretzky's voice was ignored for years and years, he stopped contributing to the conversation. People can only be shouted down for so long before they figure it's somebody else's turn to carry the torch. |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152824/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/getting-rid-of-hockeys-goons/article4403671/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


After his retirement in ], Gretzky was immediately inducted into the ], making him the most recent player to have the waiting period waived. The NHL ] his ] 99 league-wide. Gretzky was one of six players voted to the ]'s (IIHF) ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webarchive.iihf.com/100-years/100-years-of-ice-hockey/home/centennial-all-star-team/ |title=IIHF Centennial All-Star Team |website=iihf.com |publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216201344/http://webarchive.iihf.com/100-years/100-years-of-ice-hockey/home/centennial-all-star-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was inducted into the ] in 2000, and received the ] in 2012. Gretzky became executive director for the ] during the ], in which the team won a gold medal. In ], he became part-owner of the ], and following the ], he became the team's head coach. In 2004, Gretzky was inducted into the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wayne Gretzky |url=http://oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/34-wayne-gretzky |website=oshof.ca |publisher=Ontario Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228125457/http://www.oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/34-wayne-gretzky |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2009, following the ], Gretzky resigned as head coach and relinquished his ownership share. In October 2016, he returned to the Oilers as a minority partner and vice-chairman of their parent company, ]. He left in 2021 to become an analyst on ]' ].
Nicknamed "'''The Great One'''," ''Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the NHL'' calls Gretzky "the greatest player of all time."<ref>NHL.com, , accessed January 24, 2007</ref> He is generally regarded as the best player in history and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,<ref>Steve Dryden, , 1998</ref><ref>Jim Huber, , April 17, 1999</ref> players,<ref>Tom Maloney, , , ] 2006</ref> and coaches. He set 40 regular-season records, 15 playoff records, 6 ] records, won four ]s with the ], and won 9 ] awards and 10 ]. He is the only player ever to total over 200 ] 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 is the only player to have his number, 99, officially retired by the ] for ''all teams'' &ndash; no player in the NHL will ever again wear the number 99.


==Early life==
He retired from playing in ], becoming Executive Director for the ] during the ]. He also became part owner of the ] in ] and following the ] became their head coach.
Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in ], Ontario, the son of Phyllis Leone (Hockin) and ].<ref name="Young"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Phyllis Gretzky dies at age 64 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 20, 2005 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/phyllis-gretzky-dies-at-age-64-1.534997 |access-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210230329/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/phyllis-gretzky-dies-at-age-64-1.534997 |url-status=live }}</ref> The couple married in 1960, and lived in an apartment in Brantford, where Walter worked for ].{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=11}} The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat enough to make an ice rink.{{sfn|Gretzky|2001|p=33}} Wayne had a sister, Kim (born 1963), and brothers ], Glen and ]. The family regularly visited the farm of Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, and watched '']'' together. By age two, Wayne was trying to score ] against Mary using a souvenir stick.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=12}} The farm was where Wayne skated on ice for the first time, aged two years, 10 months.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=12}}


], worn when he was three years old|alt=A small pair of ice skates, meant for a small child. The boot is leather and is missing its laces, while the blade is deteriorating and showing significant wear due to age.]]
==Early years==
Walter taught Wayne, Keith, Brent, Glen, and their friends hockey on a rink he made in the backyard of the family home, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum".{{sfn|MacGregor|1999|pp=19–20}} Drills included skating around bleach bottles and tin cans and flipping pucks over scattered hockey sticks to be able to pick up the puck again in full flight.{{sfn|MacGregor|1999|p=19}} Walter gave the advice to "skate where the puck's going, not where it's been".{{sfn|MacGregor|1999|p=19}} Wayne was a classic ] whose extraordinary skills made him the target of other children's jealous parents.<ref name="CBCten">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/gretzky-wayne.html |title=Top Ten Greatest Canadians&nbsp;– Wayne Gretzky |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=February 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118073910/http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/gretzky-wayne.html |archive-date=November 18, 2006}}</ref>
Gretzky's paternal grandparents were ] immigrants who came to ] at the beginning of the 20th century from the town of ] in the ] (now ]). In a 1999 ] inductee press conference, Gretzky stated "Thank God I'm Polish" when a friendly joke was made about another inductee of ] descent who wore a traditional ] kilt as a dedication to his heritage.<ref>ESPN.NINJA , accessed January 25, 2007 </ref> Wayne's father ] turned the Gretzky backyard into a rink by leaving a water sprinkler running all winter; Walter taught Wayne and his brothers ], ], and Glenn to play hockey. In an unusually-frank 1990 interview with the '']'', Gretzky related how Walter would build him up one minute then tear him down the next, reminding him that he could never have an "average" game. Wayne was a classic ] whose extraordinary skills made him the target of jealous parents.<ref>CBC.ca, , accessed February 19, 2007</ref>


The team Gretzky played on at age six was otherwise composed of 10-year-olds.<ref name="Young"/> His first coach, Dick Martin, remarked that he handled the puck better than the 10-year-olds.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=15}} According to Martin, "Wayne was so good that you could have a boy of your own who was a tremendous hockey player, and he'd get overlooked because of what the Gretzky kid was doing."{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=17}} The sweaters for 10-year-olds were far too large for Gretzky, who coped by tucking the sweater into his pants on the right side. Gretzky continued doing this throughout his NHL career.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=18–19}}
Gretzky always played at a level far above his peers.<ref name="Young">{{Cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014218.html|title='Great' and 'Gretzky' belong together|accessdate = 2006-10-04|publisher=ESPN.com|author=Larry Schwartz}}</ref>
At age 6 he was skating with 10-year-olds. By the age of ten he scored 378 ] and 139 assists in just 85 games with the Nadrofsky Steelers. The first media story about him was published during this time in the . At 14, partly to further Wayne's career, and partly to remove him from the uncomfortable pressure he faced in his hometown, the Gretzkys challenged the Canadian amateur hockey rules to win Wayne the right to play elsewhere, which was disallowed at the time. The Gretzkys won, and Wayne moved to Toronto to play Junior B hockey with the ]. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in the ] in 1975–76, with 60 points in 28 games. The following year, as a 15 year old, he had 72 points in 32 games with the same team, then known as the Seneca Nationals. In addition, he signed with his first agent, Bob Behnke.


By age 10, Gretzky had scored an astonishing 378&nbsp;goals and 139&nbsp;] in just one&nbsp;season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers.<ref name="greatness">{{cite book |last=Falla |first=Jack |editor=Dan Diamond |chapter-url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |chapter=Wayne Gretzky: Greatness Ascendant |title=Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League |publisher=Total Sports |isbn=978-1-892129-85-7 |year=2000 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111345/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |url-status=live }}</ref> His play attracted media attention beyond Brantford, including a profile by John Iaboni in the '']'' in October 1971.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iaboni |first=John |url=http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_hkygen.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722211352/http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_hkygen.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |title=No. 9 with big No. 9 aspirations |work=] |date=October 18, 1971 |access-date=April 14, 2008 }}</ref> In the 1974 ], Gretzky scored 26 points playing for Brantford.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/02/11/tournoi-pee-wee-de-quebec-plusieurs-legendes-ont-joue-a-quebec |title=Tournoi pee-wee de Québec: plusieurs légendes ont joué à Québec |last=Dubé |first=Kevin |date=February 11, 2017 |language=fr |work=Le Journal de Montréal |access-date=December 29, 2018 |archive-date=January 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051719/https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/02/11/tournoi-pee-wee-de-quebec-plusieurs-legendes-ont-joue-a-quebec |url-status=live }}</ref> By age 13, he had scored over 1,000&nbsp;goals.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=16}}
Despite his celebrity, Gretzky was bypassed by two teams in the 1977 OHA Midget Draft. Oshawa picked Tom McCarthy, and Niagara Falls picked Steve Peters second overall. With the third pick, the Greyhounds selected Gretzky. The Greyhounds took him, even though Walter Gretzky had written the team to advise that Wayne would not move to ], a city with a ] location that inflicts a heavy traveling schedule on its junior team. He played a season in the ] at the age of 16 with the Greyhounds. While playing for the Greyhounds, he began wearing the number 99 on his jersey. He originally wanted to wear number 9 &mdash; for his old hero ] &mdash; but it was already being worn by his teammate, Brian Gualazzi. At coach ]'s suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/gretzky/99reasons.html | title = 99 Reasons Why Wayne Gretzky is "The Great One" | publisher = NHL.com | accessdate = 2007-09-19}}</ref>


His play attracted considerable negative attention from other players' parents, including those of his teammates, and he was often booed.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=15}} According to Walter, the "capper" was being booed on "Brantford Day" at Toronto's ] in February 1975.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=16}} When Gretzky was 14, his family arranged for him to move to and play hockey in ], partly to further his career, and partly to remove him from the uncomfortable pressure. The Gretzkys had to legally challenge the ] to win Wayne the right to play in a different area, which was disallowed at the time.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|pp=16–18}} The Gretzkys won, and Wayne played Junior B hockey with the ], in a league that included 20-year-olds. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in the ] in 1975–76, with 60&nbsp;points in 28&nbsp;games. The following year, as a 15–16-year-old, he had 72&nbsp;points in 32&nbsp;games with the same team, renamed the Seneca Nationals.<ref name="hhofstats">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p199901&type=Player&page=statsawards&list=ByName |title=Wayne Gretzky Career Statistics |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=] |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128190024/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p199901&type=Player&page=statsawards&list=ByName |url-status=live }}</ref>
He became the youngest player to compete in the ] when he participated in ] in 1978 at age 16.<ref>{{cite news | last = Adams | first = Alan | url = http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/impact/december/main.html | title = The Crucible | publisher = IMPACT! |month = 12 | year = 2002 | accessdate = 2007-09-19}}</ref> Despite being the youngest player in the tournament by far, he finished as the tournament's top scorer, and was voted to the All-Star team and Best Forward of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/gretzky/intlcareer.html | title = Gretzky's International Career | publisher = NHL.com | accessdate = 2007-09-19}}</ref>
Despite his offensive statistics—scoring 132 points in 60 games in Junior B<ref name="hhofstats"/>—two teams bypassed him in the 1977 ] draft of 16-year-olds. The ] picked ] first, and the ] picked ] second overall.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soo remembers Gretz |work=Medicine Hat News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 17, 1999 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-apr-17-1999-p-10/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128082713/https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-apr-17-1999-p-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With the third pick, the ] selected Gretzky, even though Walter Gretzky had told the team Wayne would not move to ], a ] city that inflicts a heavy travelling schedule on its junior team. The Gretzkys made an arrangement with a local family they knew and Wayne played for the Greyhounds, at age 16.<ref name="Orr">{{cite news |last=Orr |first=Frank |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/118553-gretzky-only-16-carries-gold-orr-label |title=Gretzky, only 16, carries a 'Gold-Orr' label |work=] |date=January 17, 1978 |access-date=October 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131629/http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/118553-gretzky-only-16-carries-gold-orr-label|archive-date=January 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was with the Greyhounds that Gretzky first wore the number&nbsp;99 on his jersey. He originally wanted to wear number&nbsp;9—for his hockey hero ]—but it was already being worn by teammate Brian Gualazzi. At coach ]'s suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Gretzky Wore No. 99 |work=Associated Press |date=April 16, 1999 |url=https://apnews.com/article/5bf0d21954af9b2f936297ccfef4bd27 |access-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423135212/https://apnews.com/article/5bf0d21954af9b2f936297ccfef4bd27 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==World Hockey Association== ==World Hockey Association==
That year (]) he signed with the ] of the ] (WHA) as an underage player. Prior to signing with Indianapolis, Gretzky was heavily recruited by ] owner John F. Bassett. <ref name=p221> The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.221, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3 </ref> Bassett wanted to confront the NHL by signing as many young and promising superstars as possible and saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect. The National Hockey League (NHL) does not allow the signing of players under the age of 18, but the ] had no rules regarding such signings. Wayne Gretzky scored his first professional goal against ] of the Edmonton Oilers. <ref name=p219> The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.219, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3 </ref> By 1978, the ], which had competed with the established NHL since ], was struggling. The league, which at one point iced fourteen teams, was down to seven surviving franchises. The WHA had long sought to arrange a ] with the NHL but were constantly rebuffed by a group of hardline owners in the older league. With the WHA's long-term survival in doubt, ] owner ] believed the only way to gain meaningful leverage over the NHL was to sign as many young and promising superstars as possible. The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20, but the WHA had no such rules. Bassett saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=221}} Several WHA teams courted Gretzky, notably the Bulls and the ].


Racers owner ] 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. Ultimately, it was Racers owner ] who, on June 12, 1978, signed 17-year-old Gretzky to a seven-year personal services contract worth US$1.75&nbsp;million.<ref name="Nation Profile"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Zeisberger |first=Mike |url=http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_zeisberger.html |title=Destined for Greatness |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=November 22, 1999 |access-date=April 21, 2008 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604190604/http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_zeisberger.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Skalbania opted to have Gretzky sign a personal-services contract rather than a standard player contract in part because by that point it was well known that a majority of NHL owners, if not yet the ¾ required to add new NHL franchises, were willing to absorb at least some WHA teams. While Skalbania knew it was unlikely the Racers would be one of these teams (in part because the WHA insisted that all of its surviving Canadian teams be included), he still 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.{{sfn|Hunter|1997|p=192}}


Gretzky scored his first professional goal against ] of the ]{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=219}} in his fifth game, and his second goal four seconds later.{{sfn|Davis|1999|p=51}} However, he played only eight games for Indianapolis. The Racers were losing $40,000 per game. Skalbania told Gretzky he would be moved, offering him a choice between the Edmonton Oilers and the ]. On the advice of his agent, Gretzky picked the Oilers, but the move was not that simple. On November 2, Gretzky, goaltender ], and forward ] were put on a private plane, not knowing where they would land and what team they would be joining.<ref name="Nation Profile">{{cite web |title=Nation Profile: Wayne Gretzky |url=http://oilersnation.com/2012/11/2/nation-profile-wayne-gretzky |website=OilersNation.com |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=November 2, 2012 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055127/http://oilersnation.com/2012/11/2/nation-profile-wayne-gretzky |url-status=dead }}</ref> While in the air, Skalbania worked on the deal. Skalbania offered to play a game of ] with Winnipeg owner Michael Gobuty, the stakes being if Gobuty won, he would get Gretzky and if he lost, he had to give Skalbania a share of the Jets. Gobuty turned down the proposal and the players landed in ].{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=34–35}} Mio paid the $4,000 bill for the flight.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=35}} Skalbania sold Gretzky, Mio and Driscoll to Oilers owner ], a former business partner. Although the announced price was $850,000, Pocklington paid $700,000.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=219}} The money was not enough to keep the Racers alive; they folded that December.{{sfn|Hunter|1997|p=192}}
However, Skalbania needed money. He sold Gretzky to his former partner, and then-owner of the WHA's ], ]. Although the announced price was $850,000, Pocklington actually paid $700,000 to purchase Gretzky as well as two other Indianapolis players, ] ] and forward ]. <ref name=p219/>


One of the highlights of Gretzky’s season was when he appeared in the 1979 WHA All-Star Game. The format of the game was a three game series between the WHA All-Stars against ]. The WHA All-Stars were coached by ] and Demers put Gretzky on a line with his boyhood idol ] and his son ]. <ref name=p234> The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.221, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3 </ref> In Game One, the line scored seven points, as the WHA All-Star won by a score of 4-2. <ref name=p234/> In game two, Gretzky and Mark Howe each scored a goal and Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the WHA won 4-2. <ref name=p234/> The line did not score in the final game but the WHA won by a score of 4-3. One of the highlights of Gretzky's season was his appearance in the 1979 WHA All-Star Game.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}} The format was a three-game series between the WHA All-Stars and ] played at Edmonton's ].{{sfn|Ireland|2017|loc=chpt. 46}} The WHA All-Stars were coached by ], who put Gretzky on a line with his boyhood idol Gordie Howe and Howe's son, ].{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Dodds |first=Tracy |title=Mutual Admiration: Howe Backs Gretzky's Attack on His Scoring Record |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 4, 1989 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-04-sp-564-story.html |access-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013194144/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-04-sp-564-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In game one, the line scored seven points, and the WHA All-Stars won by a score of 4–2.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}} In game two, Gretzky and Mark Howe each scored a goal and Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the WHA won 4–2.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}} The line did not score in the final game, but the WHA won by a score of 4–3.{{sfn|Surgent|2004|p=289}}


On Gretzky's 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 10-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history at the time) worth ]3&nbsp;million, with options for 10 more years.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |url=http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20051121/news_1s21gallery.html |title=Ali Center fitting tribute to Greatest |date=November 21, 2005 |access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085924/http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20051121/news_1s21gallery.html |archive-date = October 4, 2017|url-status = dead }}</ref>{{sfn|Blevins|2012|p=383}} Gretzky finished third in the league in scoring at 110&nbsp;points, behind ] and ].{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=239}} Gretzky captured the ] as rookie of the year,{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=219}} and helped the Oilers to first place in the league.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/wha19731979.html |title=1978–79 World Hockey Association (WHA) |website=] |access-date=August 10, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419035301/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/wha19731979.html |archive-date=April 19, 2008}}</ref>
Gretzky would finish third in the league in scoring behind ] and ]. <ref name=p239> The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.239, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3 </ref> Gretzky helped the Edmonton Oilers to the ] finals against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets goalie was ], a teammate of Gretzky while playing for the ]. <ref> 67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory, and the End of an Empire, Damien Cox and Gord Stellick, p. 79, ISBN number: 0-470-83400-5, Publisher: John Wiley and Sons </ref> Ironically, when Wayne Gretzky went to his first game at ], Gary Smith was one of the goalies in the game. <ref name=p241> The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.241, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3 </ref> The Maple Leafs played the ] and Smith was the Seals' goalie.


By the end of the regular season, the signings of Gretzky and other young stars in addition to other factors had compelled enough of the hardline NHL owners to change their positions, and an agreement (recognized as the ] by the NHL) was finalized. Under the agreement, the WHA agreed to fold after the 1979 season with the Oilers and three other teams (the ], the ] and the Winnipeg Jets) joining the older league as ]s. The Oilers, like the other three teams, were to be allowed to protect two goaltenders and two skaters from being reclaimed by the established NHL teams in the ]. The NHL also lowered its minimum age, ensuring players such as Gretzky would not need to return to the junior level, albeit with the caveat that such previously underaged players were supposed to be placed into the ] pool. Nevertheless, to avoid any potential for litigation over the validity of Gretzky's personal services contract the Oilers were allowed to keep him on their roster as one of their priority selections.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |title=Forget Rest: 1979 Draft Best Of All |work=Hartford Courant |date=June 27, 1994 |url=https://www.courant.com/1994/06/27/forget-rest-1979-draft-best-of-all/ |access-date=May 3, 2017 |archive-date=September 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919053509/http://articles.courant.com/1994-06-27/sports/9406300886_1_entry-draft-nhl-game-s-best-defenseman |url-status=live}}</ref> In exchange for agreeing to keep Gretzky off the draft board, the NHL placed Edmonton at the bottom of the draft order.
On Gretzky's 18th birthday, ], ], Pocklington signed him to a 20-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history) worth $4-5 million US. Gretzky captured the ] for rookie of the year, finished third in league scoring (110 points), and helped the Oilers to first overall in the league. The Oilers reached the ] finals before losing to the ]. It was Gretzky's only year in the WHA, as the league folded following the season. The one award Gretzky never received in the NHL was the one he earned in the WHA: Gretzky was awarded the WHA Rookie of the Year award in its final season. <ref name=p219> The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.219, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3 </ref>

The WHA completed the playoffs of its final season as planned. The Oilers reached the ] finals (the only WHA championship series appearance for the franchise), where they lost to the Winnipeg Jets in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=wha1973&season=1979&leaguenm=WHA |title=1978–79 WHA Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 21, 2008 |archive-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318223300/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=WHA1973&season=1979&leaguenm=WHA |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Reyn |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1979/05/28/823667/a-nowhere-ride-that-could-well-be-the-epitaph-for-the-late-world-hockey-association-which-for-seven-years-was-always-one-step-from-bankruptcy |title=A Nowhere Ride |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 28, 1979 |access-date=April 21, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226105253/http://www.si.com/vault/1979/05/28/823667/a-nowhere-ride-that-could-well-be-the-epitaph-for-the-late-world-hockey-association-which-for-seven-years-was-always-one-step-from-bankruptcy |archive-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref>


==NHL career== ==NHL career==
===Edmonton Oilers (1979–1988)===
After the ] folded in 1979, the ] and three other teams<ref>The other three teams to join the NHL were: ], ], and Jets</ref> 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 league.<ref>Kenneth Shouler, , ''Cigar Aficionado'', 1997</ref>
Gretzky's success in the WHA carried over into the NHL, despite some critics suggesting he would struggle in what was considered the bigger, tougher, and more talented league.<ref name="Cigar">{{cite magazine |last=Shouler |first=Kenneth |url=http://www.winespectator.com/Cigar/CA_Profiles/People_Profile/0,2540,13,00.html |title=Lord of the Rink |magazine=] |year=1997 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012162817/http://www.winespectator.com/Cigar/CA_Profiles/People_Profile/0%2C2540%2C13%2C00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ] in Edmonton, of Gretzky hoisting the ], which the Oilers won four times with him. Sculpted by ].]] In his first NHL season, ], Gretzky was awarded the ] as the NHL's ] (the first of eight in a row) and tied for the scoring lead with ] with 137&nbsp;points.<ref name="Hart">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=HMT |title=Hart Memorial Trophy Winners |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=] |access-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617114141/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=HMT |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Matheson |first=Jim |title=Gretzky is a bargain |work=The Sporting News |date=November 1, 1980}}</ref> Although Gretzky played 79&nbsp;games to Dionne's 80, Dionne was awarded the ] because he had scored more goals (53 to 51).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=ART&year=1979-80 |title=1979–80 Art Ross Trophy Winner |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518065443/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=ART&year=1979-80 |url-status=live }}</ref> The season still stands as the highest point total by a first-year player in NHL history. Gretzky became the youngest player to score 50&nbsp;goals, but was not eligible for the ], given to the top NHL rookie, because of his previous year of WHA experience.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 6, 1980 |title=Gretzky wins Two NHL honours in the first year |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |page=35}}</ref> The Calder was instead awarded to ] defenceman ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=CMT&year=1979-80 |title=1979–80 Calder Memorial Trophy Winner |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524034055/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=CMT&year=1979-80 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his second season, Gretzky won the Art Ross (the first of seven consecutive) with a then-record 164&nbsp;points, breaking both ]'s record for assists in a season (102) and ]'s record for points in a season (152).<ref name="99reasons">{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384579 |title=99 Reasons Why Wayne Gretzky is 'The Great One' |date=October 2, 2004 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 28, 2008 |archive-date=January 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108042014/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384579 |url-status=live }}</ref> He won his second straight Hart Trophy.<ref name="Hart"/> In the first game of the ], against the ], Gretzky had five assists, a single game playoff record.{{sfn|Jenish|2009|p=243}}

During the ], Gretzky surpassed a record that had stood for 35&nbsp;years: ], first set by ] during the ] and tied by ] during the ]. Gretzky accomplished the feat in only 39&nbsp;games. His 50th goal of the season came on December 30, 1981, in the final seconds of a 7–5 win against the ] and was his fifth of the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=50 goals in 39 games Gretzky does it |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |date=December 31, 1981 |page=S1}}</ref> Later that season, Gretzky broke Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76) on February 24, 1982, scoring three to help defeat the ] 6–3.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarity |first=James F. |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F3091FFC385F0C768EDDAB0894DA484D81 |title=Gretzky, scoring three goals, sets season record at 79 |work=The New York Times |date=February 25, 1982 |access-date=April 14, 2008}}</ref> He ended the 1981–82 season with records of 92&nbsp;goals, 120&nbsp;assists, and 212&nbsp;] in 80&nbsp;games, becoming the only player in NHL history to break the two hundred-point mark.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne's Top 10 |work=] |page=C5 |date=April 17, 1999}}</ref> That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky wins Ontario honour |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |page=S5 |date=January 26, 1983}}</ref> He was also named 1982 "]" by '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8830/index.htm |date=December 27, 1982 |title=Wayne Gretzky, Sportsman of the Year |magazine=] |access-date=April 11, 2008 |pages=(cover) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207163117/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8830/index.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> ] also named Gretzky ] in 1982.<ref>{{cite news |title=A look at Canadian Press Newsmakers of the Year |work=National Post |agency=The Canadian Press |date=December 19, 2017 |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/a-look-at-canadian-press-newsmakers-of-the-year |access-date=January 24, 2019}}</ref>

The following seasons saw Gretzky break his assists record three more times (125 in ], 135 in ] and 163 in ]); he also bettered that mark (120&nbsp;assists) in ] with 121 and ] with 122, and his point record one more time (215, in 1985–86).<ref name="NHLstats">{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400 |title=Wayne Gretzky: Stats |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924201353/http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NHLnotes">{{cite web |title=Wayne Gretzky: Notes |publisher=National Hockey League |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400&view=notes |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117002224/http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400&view=notes |url-status=live }}</ref> By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49&nbsp;NHL records.<ref>{{cite news |last=Howard-Cooper |first=Scott |title=Kings Pay King's Ransom for Hockey Great Gretzky |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 10, 1988 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-10-mn-146-story.html |access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

The Edmonton Oilers finished first overall in their last WHA regular season. The same success was not immediate when they joined the NHL, but within four seasons, the Oilers were competing for the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=41 |title=Edmonton Oilers (NHL) |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516062725/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=41 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring, in addition to Gretzky, future ] including forwards ], ] and ]; defenceman ]; and goaltender ]. Gretzky was its ] from 1983 to 1988. In 1983, they made it to the ], only to be swept by the three-time defending champion ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1983&leaguenm=NHL |title=1982–83 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114055310/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1983&leaguenm=NHL |url-status=live }}</ref> The following season, the Oilers met the Islanders in the ] again, this time winning the Stanley Cup, their first of five in seven years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1984&leaguenm=NHL |title=1983–84 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412051449/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1984&leaguenm=NHL |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gretzky was named an officer of the ] 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&nbsp;years and 7&nbsp;months—and two ]—before he could accept the honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=3905&t=12&ln=Gretzky |title=Order of Canada: Wayne Gretzky, O.C. |publisher=] |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924050233/http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=3905&t=12&ln=Gretzky |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2009 "for his continued contributions to the world of hockey, notably as one of the best players of all time, as well as for his social engagement as a philanthropist, volunteer and role model for countless young people".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13192 |title=Governor General announces 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada |publisher=Governor General of Canada |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222230106/http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13192 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Five times between 1981–82 and 1986–87, Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL & WHA Yearly Leaders and Records for Goals |publisher=Hockey-Reference |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/goals_yearly.html |access-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010024141/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/goals_yearly.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Oilers also won the Stanley Cup with Gretzky three additional times: in {{scfy|1985}}, {{scfy|1987}} and {{scfy|1988}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25426 |title=Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719073110/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25426 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

When the Oilers joined the NHL, Gretzky continued to play under his personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31&nbsp;million loan with the ].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Myslenski, Skip |author2=Kay, Linda |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/01/29/cant-get-next-to-you-babe-tony/ |title=Can't get next to you, babe: Tony La Russa was part of the... |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 29, 1985 |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301130126/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-01-29/sports/8501060359_1_edmonton-oilers-owner-press-conference-peter-pocklington |url-status=live}}</ref> Amid growing concern around the NHL that a financial institution might be able to lay claim to Gretzky's rights in the event the heavily leveraged Pocklington were to declare bankruptcy, as well as growing dissatisfaction on the part of Gretzky and his advisers, in 1987, Gretzky and Pocklington agreed to replace the personal services contract with a standard NHL contract.<ref>{{cite news |author=Strachan, Al |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/11/26/gretzky-escapes-legal-mess/ |title=Gretzky Escapes Legal Mess |via=Chicago Tribune |date=November 26, 1987 |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301130423/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-11-26/sports/8703290287_1_nhl-bylaws-peter-pocklington-national-hockey-league-career |url-status=live}}</ref>

====The Gretzky rule====
In June 1985, as part of a package of five rule changes to be implemented for the 1985–86 season, the NHL Board of Governors decided to introduce offsetting penalties, where neither team lost a man when coincidental penalties were called. The effect of calling offsetting penalties was felt immediately in the NHL because during the early 1980s, when the Gretzky-era Oilers entered a four-on-four or three-on-three situation with an opponent, they frequently used the space on the ice to score one or more goals.<ref name="gretzkyrule2">{{cite news |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/10-best-player-inspired-nhl-rules-changes--nhl.html |title=The 10 best player-inspired NHL rules changes |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=August 19, 2010 |author=Wyshynski, Greg |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131132231/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/10-best-player-inspired-nhl-rules-changes--nhl.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1004/revolutionary.moments.in.sports/content.7.html |title=Revolutionary Moments in Sports: The Gretzky Rule |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=May 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522014457/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1004/revolutionary.moments.in.sports/content.7.html |archive-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref> A few days later, during a press conference the day after being awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, Gretzky criticized the NHL for punishing teams and players who previously benefited. The rule change became known as "the Gretzky rule".<ref name="gretzkyrule2"/><ref name="gretzkyrule1">{{cite news |title=Gretzky criticizes change in rules |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=June 13, 1985 |page=27}}</ref> The rule was reversed for the 1992–93 season, by which time a majority of the players from the all-time powerhouse Edmonton Oilers (the ], the one most directly impacted by the June 1985 rule change, was later voted the greatest NHL team ever, as part of the NHL's centennial celebrations)<ref>{{Cite web |title=1984-85 Oilers voted No. 1 Greatest NHL Team |first=Stu |last=Hackel |date=June 5, 2017 |website=] |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/1985-edmonton-oilers-greatest-nhl-teams-289776318 |access-date=2024-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518043317/https://www.nhl.com/news/1985-edmonton-oilers-greatest-nhl-teams-289776318 |archive-date=2024-05-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> had changed teams or retired from hockey.{{sfn|Duplacey|2000|p=58}}

====Strategy and effect on NHL play====
Gretzky had a major influence on the style of play of the Edmonton Oilers and the NHL as a whole, helping to inspire a more team-based strategy. Using this approach, the Oilers, led by Gretzky, became the highest-scoring team in NHL history.{{sfn|Dryden|2013|page=291}}

"He was, I think, the first Canadian forward to play a true team game", said hockey writer and former NHL goaltender ]. The focus of the game before Gretzky's arrival, he said, especially among the Canadian teams, was on the player with the puck—getting the puck to a star player who would make the big play. <blockquote>Gretzky reversed that. He knew he wasn't big enough, strong enough, or even fast enough to do what he wanted to do if others focused on him. Like a magician, he had to direct attention elsewhere, to his four teammates on the ice with him, to create a momentary distraction to move unnoticed into the open ice where size and strength didn't matter.&nbsp;... Gretzky made his opponents compete with five players, not one, and he made his teammates full partners in the game. He made them skate to his level and pass and finish up to his level or they would be embarrassed.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wayne Gretzky: The Making of the Great One |date=1998 |publisher=Beckett Pubns |location=Dallas |isbn=978-1887432474 |page=98 |last=Dryden |first=Ken |editor=James Beckett |ref=none}}</ref></blockquote>

Between 1982 and 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, when no previous team had scored 400, and Gretzky on his own had averaged 207 points when no player before had scored more than 152 in one year. Dryden wrote in his book '']'', "In the past, defenders and teams had learned to devise strategies to stop opponents with the puck. To stop them without it, that was interference. But now, if players without the puck skated just as hard as those with it, but faster, and dodged and darted to open ice just as determinedly, but more effectively, how did you shut them down?"{{sfn|Dryden|2013|page=291}}

In this, Gretzky added his considerable influence as the preeminent NHL star of his day to that of the Soviets, who had also developed a more team style of play and had successfully used it against the best NHL teams, beginning in the ]. "The Soviets and Gretzky changed the NHL game", says Dryden. "Gretzky, the kid from Brantford with the Belarusian name, was the acceptable face of Soviet hockey. No Canadian kid wanted to play like ] or ]. They all wanted to play like Gretzky."{{sfn|Dryden|2013|pages=290–291}}

At the same time, Gretzky recognized the contributions of their coach in the success of the Oilers: "Under the guidance of ], our Oiler teams became adept at generating speed, developing finesse, and learning a transition game with strong European influences."{{sfn|Gretzky|1998|p=6}}

Gretzky explains his style of play further:
{{blockquote|1=People think that to be a good player you have to pick the puck up, deke around ninety-three guys, and take this ungodly slap shot. No. Let the puck do all the moving and you get yourself in the right place. I don't care if you're ], you can't out skate that little black thing. Just move the puck: give it up, get it back, give it up. It's like ]. The hardest work he does is getting open. The jump shot is cake.

That's all hockey is open ice. That's my whole strategy: Find Open Ice. Chicago coach ] said it best: "There's a spot on the ice that's no-man's land, and all the good goal scorers find it." It's a piece of frozen real estate that's just in between the defense and the forward.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=92}}}}

===="The Trade"====
{{redirect|The Trade|the Nigerian crime drama film|The Trade (film)}}
Two hours after the Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1988, Gretzky learned from his father that the Oilers were planning to deal him to another team.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=177–179}} Walter Gretzky had known for months after having been tipped off by Skalbania, but kept the news from Wayne so as not to upset him. According to Walter, Wayne was being "shopped" to Los Angeles, Detroit, and Vancouver, and Pocklington needed money as his other business ventures were not doing well.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=182–183}} At first, Gretzky did not want to leave Edmonton, but he received a call while on his honeymoon from ] owner ], who asked permission to meet and discuss the deal. Gretzky informed McNall that his prerequisites for a deal to take place were that ] and ] join him as teammates in Los Angeles. Both McNall and Pocklington quickly agreed. After the details of the trade were finalized by the two owners, one final condition had to be met: Gretzky had to call Pocklington and request a trade.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=183}} When Pocklington told Oilers general manager and head coach Sather about his plans to trade Gretzky to Los Angeles, Sather tried to stop the deal, but when he found out that Gretzky had been involved in the negotiations, he changed his attitude and requested ] in exchange. The Kings refused, instead offering ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/sports/story.html?id=eec77a3a-f5cb-46ab-92be-916344441c0f&p=1/ |title=Ask Matty |author=Matheson, Jim |work=] |date=January 18, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823044025/http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/sports/story.html?id=eec77a3a-f5cb-46ab-92be-916344441c0f&p=1%2F |archive-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref>


On August 9, 1988, in a move that heralded significant change in the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky (along with McSorley and Krushelnyski) to the ] for Carson, ], $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in ] (later traded to the ], who used it to select ]), ], (used to select ]), and ], (used to select ]).<ref name="NHLnotes"/> "The Trade", as it came to be known,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Trade |publisher=Sportsnet |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-the-trade/ |access-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309115814/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-the-trade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> upset Canadians to the extent that ] House Leader ] demanded the government block it,<ref>{{cite web |title=20 Years Ago: Gretzky Deal Shocked the Hockey World |publisher=The Sports Network |date=August 9, 2008 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245714 |access-date=February 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904160813/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245714 |archive-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> and Pocklington was burned in ] outside Northlands Coliseum.<ref name="CBCten"/>
===Edmonton Oilers (1979-1988)===
In his first NHL season, ], Gretzky proved his critics wrong. He was awarded the ] as the League's ] (the first of eight in a row) and tied for the scoring lead with ] with 137 points, which remains the most points by a first-year player. Although Gretzky played 79 games to Dionne's 80, Dionne was awarded the ] since he scored more goals (53 vs. 51). Gretzky became the youngest player to score 50 goals but was not eligible for the ], given to the top NHL rookie, because of his previous year of professional experience. Instead, ]' defenseman ] won it. The rule was later changed.


In Gretzky's first appearance in Edmonton after the trade, a game nationally televised in Canada, he received a four-minute standing ovation.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Austin |title=The Great One is cheered in his return to Edmonton |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/10/31/a-king-in-edmonton-wayne-gretzky-returned-to-his-old-city-and-was-greeted-with-heartfelt-cheers |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=g4GvJDF6pj4|title=1988 NHL, Los-Angeles Kings - Edmonton Oilers, October 19, 1988}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=Ii6pyR5_KjY|title=Gretzky's Homecoming: Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings, Oct. 19, 1988 - FULL GAME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 1988 |title=Hockey great Wayne Gretzky received a thunderous standing ovation... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/10/19/Hockey-great-Wayne-Gretzky-received-a-thunderous-standing-ovation/2531593236800/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> The arena was sold out, and the attendance of 17,503 was the Oilers' biggest crowd ever to that date.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}} Large cheers erupted for his first shift, his first touch of the puck, his two assists, and Mark Messier's body check of Gretzky into the boards.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}} After the game, Gretzky took the opportunity to confirm his patriotism: "I'm still proud to be a Canadian. I didn't desert my country. I moved because I was traded and that's where my job is. But I'm Canadian to the core. I hope Canadians understand that."{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}} After the 1988–89 season, a life-sized bronze statue of Gretzky was erected outside Northlands Coliseum, holding the Stanley Cup over his head.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=67}}
In his second season, Gretzky won the Art Ross (the first of seven consecutive) with a then-record 164 points, breaking both ]'s record for assists in a season (102) and ]'s record for points in a season (152). He won his second straight Hart Trophy.


===Los Angeles Kings (1988–1996)===
During the ] season, he surpassed a record that had stood for 35 years: ]. Set by ] during the ] and tied by ] during the ], Gretzky accomplished the feat in only 39 games. His 50th goal of the season came on ], ] in the final seconds of a 7-5 win against the ] and was his fifth of the game. Later that season, Gretzky broke Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76) on ] 1982 scoring three goals to help beat the ], 6-3. He ended the 1981-82 season with records of 92 ], 120 ], and 212 ] in 80 games, becoming the first and only player in NHL history to break the 200-point mark. That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named ]. He was also named '']'' Magazine's 1982 "]."
] outside ], home of the ]. Gretzky played with the Kings from 1988 to 1996.]]
The Kings named Gretzky their ]. He made an immediate impact on the ice, scoring on his first shot on goal in the first regular season game.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=202}} The Kings got off to their best start ever, winning four straight en route to qualifying for the playoffs. For only the second time in his NHL career, Gretzky finished second in scoring, but narrowly edged the ]' ] (who scored 199&nbsp;points) for the Hart Trophy as MVP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=HMT&year=1988-89 |title=1988–89 Hart Memorial trophy Winner |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422190702/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=HMT&year=1988-89 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Despite being ] against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers in the ] semifinals, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad, spearheading the Kings' return from a 3–1 series deficit to win the series 4–3. He was nervous Edmonton would greet him with boos, but they were eagerly waiting for him.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Murphy |first=Austin |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068306/1/index.htm |title=Dynasty Undone |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=April 24, 1989 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205204028/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068306/1/index.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2013}}</ref> The Kings were then swept by the ], who went on to win their first Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Proteau|first=Adam|title=The Oral History of the 1989 Stanley Cup Champion Calgary Flames: Part One|magazine=The Hockey News|date=August 16, 2014|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-oral-history-of-the-1989-stanley-cup-champion-calgary-flames-part-one|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004144930/https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-oral-history-of-the-1989-stanley-cup-champion-calgary-flames-part-one|url-status=live}}</ref>
The following seasons saw Gretzky break his own assists record three more times (125 ], 135 ], and 163 ]; he also bettered that mark (120 assists) in ] with 121 and ] with 122) and his point record one more time (215). By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49 NHL records, which in itself was a record.


In 1990, the ] named Gretzky Male Athlete of the Decade.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Verdi |first=Bob |title=Hockey's Babe Ruth is Athlete of the Century |magazine=The Sporting News |date=January 22, 1990 |page=4}}</ref> For the second year in a row, the Kings eliminated the defending champions in the first round when they defeated the Flames in six games, but also for the second year in a row their season ended in a second round sweep, this time at the hands of Gretzky's former team. The Oilers went on to win their fifth Cup (and first without Gretzky). In his post-championship interview, Messier (who had replaced Gretzky as Edmonton's captain following the trade) dedicated the Oilers' Cup win to him.
The Edmonton Oilers finished their last WHA season first overall in the regular season. The same success was not immediate when they joined the NHL, but within four seasons, the Oilers were competing for the ]. The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring forwards ], Gretzky, ] and ], ] ], and ] ]. Gretzky was its ] (from 1983–88). In ], they made it to the ] finals, only to be swept by the three-time defending champion ]. 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 ] on ], ] 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 ] before he could accept the honour. The Oilers, with Gretzky, also won the Cup in ], ], and ]; and without him in ] with ] as captain.


Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles saw a marked increase in attendance and ] interest in a city not previously known for following hockey. The Kings now boasted of numerous sellouts.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fichtenbaum |first=Paul |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1989/10/09/120775/new-king-boffo-at-box-office |title=New King Boffo at Box Office |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 9, 1989 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226083824/http://www.si.com/vault/1989/10/09/120775/new-king-boffo-at-box-office |url-status=live }}</ref> Many credit Gretzky's arrival with putting non-traditional American hockey markets on "the NHL map"; not only did California receive two more NHL franchises (the ] and ]) during Gretzky's tenure in Los Angeles, but his popularity in ] proved to be an impetus in the league establishing teams in other parts of the U.S. Sun Belt.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Roderick |first=Kevin |url=http://www.kevinroderick.com/gretzky.html |title=The Big Chill |magazine=] |date=December 2001 |access-date=February 7, 2006 |archive-date=January 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060107100156/http://www.kevinroderick.com/gretzky.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==="The Trade" - Los Angeles Kings (1988-1996)===
On ], ], in a move that drastically changed the dynamics of the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky, along with ] and ], to the ] for ], ], $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in ] (]), ] (]), and ] (]). "The Trade", as it came to be known,<ref>oilersheritage.com, , OilersHeritage.com, Accessed July 13, 2006</ref> upset Canadians to the extent that ] ] ] demanded that the government block it<ref>Scott Morrison, , ''Toronto Sun'', August 10, 1988</ref> and Pocklington was burned in effigy. 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 the furtherance of ]'s acting career.<ref>Terry Jones, , ''Edmonton Sun'', August 12, 1988</ref> Others believe it was Pocklington who instigated the trade, seeking to benefit personally from the transaction.


Gretzky was sidelined for much of the ] with a back injury (he returned on January 6, 1993, which was also his ]), and his 65-point output ended a record 13-year streak in which he recorded at least 100 points each season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kreiser |first=John |title=25-for-25: Gretzky records that will live on |publisher=National Hockey League |date=August 9, 2013 |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=679820 |access-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511204541/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=679820 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he performed well in the playoffs, notably when he scored a ] in game&nbsp;seven of the ] Finals against the ].<ref name="99reasons"/> This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. After winning the first game of the series by a score of 4–1, the team lost the next three games in overtime, and then fell 4–1 in the deciding fifth game, where Gretzky failed to get a shot on net.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1993&leaguenm=NHL |title=1992–93 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808013407/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1993&leaguenm=NHL |archive-date=August 8, 2007}}</ref>
Gretzky's first season in ] saw a marked increase in attendance and ] interest in a city not previously known for following hockey. The Kings, who then played their home games at the ], named Gretzky their captain (a position he held until his trade to St. Louis in 1996) and boasted numerous sellouts on their way to reaching the ] playoffs. Despite being ] against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Oilers in the ] semifinals, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad, spearheading the Kings' return from a 3-1 series deficit to win the series 4-3. For only the second time in his NHL career, Gretzky finished second in scoring, but narrowly beat out ]'s ] (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 ] receive two more NHL franchises (the ] and the ]) during Gretzky's tenure in L.A., but his popularity in ] proved to be an impetus in the league establishing teams in other parts of the U.S. ].<ref>Kevin Roderick, , accessed February 7, 2006; originally published in ''Los Angeles Magazine'', December 2001</ref> In ], the ] named him Male Athlete of the Decade.


The next season, Gretzky broke ]'s career goal-scoring record of 801, and won the scoring title,<ref name="99reasons"/> but the team began a long slide, and despite numerous player and coaching moves, they failed to qualify for the playoffs again until ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=4183 |title=The History of the Los Angeles Kings |publisher=] |access-date=April 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813070535/http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=4183 |archive-date=August 13, 2014}}</ref> After the financially troubled McNall was forced to sell the Kings in 1994, Gretzky's relationship with the Kings' new owners grew strained.<ref name="map">{{cite news |last=Hessler |first=Warner |title=Gretzky Helped Put Hockey On Map In U.S. |work=] |date=March 16, 1996 |url=https://www.dailypress.com/1996/03/16/gretzky-helped-put-hockey-on-map-in-us/ |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930181540/http://articles.dailypress.com/1996-03-16/sports/9603160056_1_hockey-s-popularity-non-traditional-hockey-traded |url-status=live }}</ref> Under both McNall and the new ownership group, the team was fiscally unstable, to the point that paychecks to players bounced.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Gretzky leaving L.A.? It doesn't add up |work=Calgary Herald |date=January 13, 1996 |page=C3}}</ref> Finally, in early 1996, Gretzky requested a trade.<ref name="map"/> During the ], Gretzky and some friends (including Mark Messier, Marty McSorley, ] and ]) formed the ] and played eight exhibition games in various countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=99 at 50: All-time Top 10 – #4 |publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation |date=January 23, 2011 |url=http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=5283&cHash=144daf10760b8a0c98c0e62e5d07536c |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140905212442/http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=5283&cHash=144daf10760b8a0c98c0e62e5d07536c |url-status=live }}</ref>
Gretzky was sidelined for much of ] with an upper back injury, the only year in which he did not lead his team in scoring. However, he performed very well in the playoffs, notably when he scored a ] in Game 7 of the ] Finals against the ]. This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the ]. After winning the first game of the series by a score of 4–1, however, the team lost the next three games in overtime, and then fell 1–4 in the deciding fifth game where Gretzky failed to get a shot on net. ], Gretzky broke ]'s career goal-scoring record and won the scoring title, but the team began a long slide, and despite numerous player and coaching moves, they failed to qualify for the playoffs again until ]. Long before then, 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.


===St. Louis Blues (1996)=== ===St. Louis Blues (1996)===
On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the ] in a trade for ], ], ] and two draft picks (Peter Hogan and ]).<ref name="NHLnotes"/> He partially orchestrated the trade after reports surfaced that he was unhappy in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |title=After 99 trial balloons, Gretzky traded; Wayne gets his wish—if Blues are indeed contenders |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=B1 |date=February 28, 1996}}</ref> At the time of the trade, the Blues and ] emerged as front-runners, but the Blues met his salary demands.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hickey |first=Pat |date=February 28, 1996 |title=Gretzky's image suffers; Everyone's a big loser in this deal |work=] |page=E1}}</ref> Gretzky was immediately named the team's captain. He scored 37&nbsp;points in 31&nbsp;games for the team in the regular season and the playoffs,<ref name="NHLstats"/> and the Blues came within one game of the Conference Finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1996&leaguenm=NHL |title=1995–96 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807215116/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1996&leaguenm=NHL |archive-date=August 7, 2007}}</ref>
On ], ] he joined the ] in a trade for ], ], ], 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. He also served as the team's captain in his short tenure with the Blues. However, he never clicked with the team or with his new right-winger, ], on the ] as well as many had expected. On ], he signed with the ] as a ], rejoining longtime Oilers teammate ].


However, the chemistry everyone expected with winger Brett Hull never developed. Gretzky was also forced to endure public criticism from his head coach for the first time in his career. Long before either he or Gretzky joined the Blues, Mike Keenan had refused to moderate his coaching style even while coaching Gretzky with Team Canada during international tournaments. Gretzky's professional relationship with Keenan was thus never particularly warm, and the coach's public rebukes effectively ended any realistic prospect of Gretzky remaining in St. Louis once he became a free agent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Casey |first=Tom |date=June 29, 1996 |title=Gretzky gets top billing on big-name free-agent list: Senators continue talks with goalie Damian Rhodes |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=G3}}</ref> Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15&nbsp;million with the Blues, and on July 21, signed with the New York Rangers as a ], rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier (and former Kings teammate Luc Robitaille) for a two-year, $8&nbsp;million (plus incentives) contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duffy |first=Andrew |date=July 22, 1996 |title=Great One bound for Broadway: Gretzky signs deal with N.Y. Rangers |work=The Record |page=D1}}</ref>
===New York Rangers (1996-1999)===
] uniform in 1997]]
Gretzky ended his professional career with the New York Rangers, where he played his final three seasons and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in ]. The Rangers were defeated in the conference finals by the ]. For the first time in his NHL career, Gretzky did not wear the team's captaincy during his Rangers stint (Gretzky briefly wore the captain's 'C' when Captain ] and alternate captain ] were injured and out of the lineup at the same time). After the 1996-97 season, ] signed a free agent contract with the ], ending the brief reunion of Messier and Gretzky after just one season. With Messier's departure from the Rangers, the spotlight was on Gretzky once again.


===New York Rangers (1996–1999)===
In 1997, prior to his retirement, ] 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.
] in 1997]]
Gretzky ended his professional playing career with the New York Rangers, where he played his final three seasons and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E6DE163AF935A15756C0A961958260 |title=Rangers' Surprising Run Comes to a Finish |work=The New York Times |date=May 26, 1997 |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> The Rangers were defeated in the Conference Finals in five games by the Philadelphia Flyers, despite Gretzky leading the Rangers in the playoffs with 10&nbsp;goals and 10&nbsp;assists.<ref name="NHLstats"/> For the first time in his NHL career, Gretzky was not named captain,<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E5DA103FF936A35753C1A960958260 |title=No C and No A for Gretzky. Just a Regular Blue Jersey |work=The New York Times |date=October 5, 1996 |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> except for a brief period as acting captain in 1998 when captain ] was injured and out of the line-up.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806E0DF163DF93BA35757C0A96E958260 |title=Hockey; Rangers Waste Gretzky's Gifts Again |work=The New York Times |date=April 8, 1998 |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> After the 1996–97 season, Mark Messier signed a free agent contract with the ], ending the brief reunion of Messier and Gretzky after just one season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E1D91F3AF932A05754C0A961958260 |title=In Signing Messier, Canucks' Persistence Paid Off |work=The New York Times |date=July 31, 1997 |access-date=April 16, 2008 |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208041201/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E1D91F3AF932A05754C0A961958260 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1997 playoff run was Gretzky's last as a player, and Rangers did not return to the playoffs until ], well after Gretzky retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=48 |title=New York Rangers (NHL) |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220081332/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=48 |archive-date=February 20, 2008}}</ref> Along with ], he topped the NHL in ] with 67&nbsp;assists. It was the 16th time in 19 seasons that Gretzky earned at least a share of the league lead in the statistic.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL & WHA Yearly Leaders and Records for Assists |publisher=Hockey-Reference |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/assists_yearly.html |access-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010024133/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/assists_yearly.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


In 1997, before his retirement, '']'' named a committee of 50&nbsp;hockey experts (former NHL players, past and present writers, broadcasters, coaches, and hockey executives) to select and rank the 50&nbsp;greatest players in NHL history. The experts voted Gretzky number one.<ref name="greatness"/> Gretzky said he would have voted Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe as the best of all time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cole |first=Cam |title=Cole: Bobby Orr was The One, not The Great One |work=Vancouver Sun |date=March 20, 2013 |url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/canucks%20-%20hockey/bobby-orr-was-the-one-not-the-great-one |access-date=February 16, 2023}}</ref>
He participated in the ] in ]. However, Gretzky, ], and ] were passed over for the captaincy in favour of the younger ]. Expectations were high for the Canadian team, but without the presence of ] (with whom Gretzky did well in the ]) and several other star Canadians due to injury, the team lost to the ] in the semi-finals. There was some additional controversy when Gretzky was not selected by coach ] for the decisive shootout. Team Canada then lost the bronze medal game 3-2 to Finland, but Gretzky was said to have encouraged all of his teammates to attend the closing ceremony afterwards.
] ]]


The ] season was his last as a professional player. He reached one milestone in this last season, breaking the professional total (regular season and playoffs) goal-scoring record of 1,071, which Gordie Howe had held. Gretzky was having difficulty scoring this season and finished with only nine goals, contributing to this being the only season in which he failed to average at least a point per game, but his last goal brought his scoring total for his combined NHL/WHA career to 1,072, one more than Howe.{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=216}} 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 Canada was on April 15, 1999, a 2–2&nbsp;tie with the ] and the Rangers' second-to-last game of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Atkins |first=Harry |title=Gretzky good as gone |work=Ludington Daily News |agency=Associated Press |date=April 16, 1999 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=09ELAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0FUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6485,1529045 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610152515/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=09ELAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0FUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6485,1529045 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the contest, in a departure from the usual ] announcement, Gretzky was awarded all three stars.{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=218}} Upon returning to New York, Gretzky announced he would retire after the Rangers' last game of the season.{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=220}}
His last NHL game in Canada was on ], ], in a 2-2 tie with the ], and his final game was a 2-1 overtime loss to the ] which had ], the future Ranger captain, scoring the game winning goal on ], ] in the ]. The ]s in that game were adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure. In place of "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", ] sang "We're going to miss you Wayne Gretzky".<ref>Erik Brady, , ''USA Today'', April 19, 1999</ref> ], 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 ]. Gretzky was named as the first, second, and third star of both games. Only ] has had such an honour, when during the ] on ], he scored five dominating goals against the ]. His ] won 5-1.


The final game of Gretzky's career was a 2–1&nbsp;overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999, in ]. Although the game involved two American teams, both ]s were played, with the lyrics slightly adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure. In place of the lyrics "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", ] ad-libbed, "We're going to miss you, Wayne Gretzky".<ref name="Brady">{{cite news |last=Brady |first=Erik |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/gretzky/full38.htm |title=He loved 'every part of the game' |work=USA Today |date=April 19, 1999 |access-date=October 6, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512121251/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/gretzky/full38.htm |archive-date=May 12, 2008}}</ref> "]", as sung by ], was altered to include the words "in the land of Wayne Gretzky".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384578 |title=Gretzky Gets Assist in Finale |publisher=National Hockey League |date=April 18, 1999 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111341/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384578 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky ended his career with a final point, assisting on the lone New York goal scored by Brian Leetch.<ref name="Brady"/> At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second-to-last WHA player still active in professional hockey. Mark Messier, who attended the game along with other representatives of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, was the last.{{sfn|Cole|2004|p=133}}
At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second-to-last WHA player still active in professional hockey, ] being the last.


==International play==
==Skills==
{{MedalTableTop|name= |Wayne Gretzky jersey.JPG|230px|Team Canada sweater worn by Gretzky during the ].}}
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 ]. At 16, Gretzky's skills were already described as "a magic touch,"; he had a good shot, moved the puck very well, never quit, and played "both ways" (defence as well as offence). He was described as a player that any team could build their hockey club around, which is perhaps exemplified by the immediate impact he had on the Los Angeles Kings upon joining them.
{{Medal|Country | {{ih|CAN}} }}
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{{Medal|Silver | ] |}}
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{{Medal|Gold | ] |}}
{{Medal|Gold | ] |}}
{{Medal|Gold | ] |}}
{{Medal|Silver | ] |}}
{{Medal|Competition|]}}
{{Medal|Bronze | ] |}}
{{Medal|Competition|]}}
{{Medal|Bronze | ] |}}
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Gretzky made his first international appearance as a member of the ] at the ] in Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian coach, ], was originally skeptical of Gretzky's ability as he was the youngest player to compete in the tournament at the age of 16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quirky facts from 1978 |url=http://www.worldjunior2015.com/en/news/quirky-facts-from-1978/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217132511/http://www.worldjunior2015.com/en/news/quirky-facts-from-1978/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |website=worldjunior2015.com |publisher=2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships |access-date=January 29, 2020 |date=December 16, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="intl"/> He went on to lead the tournament in scoring with 17 points to earn All-Star Team and ] honours.<ref name=intl/> His 17 points remain the most scored by a 16-year-old in the World Junior Championships.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of 16-year old World Junior Championship players |url=http://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/player-age/16-year-old-wjc-u20-players.html |website=QuantHockey |access-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224142157/http://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/player-age/16-year-old-wjc-u20-players.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Canada finished with the bronze medal.<ref name=intl>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384582 |title=Gretzky's International Career |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 24, 2010 |date=October 2, 2003|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111349/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384582 |archive-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wharnsby |first=Tim |title=Wayne Gretzky never thought he would make this team |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/wayne-gretzky-never-thought-he-would-make-this-team |access-date=September 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230165804/http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/wayne-gretzky-never-thought-he-would-make-this-team |url-status=live }}</ref>


Gretzky debuted with the ] at the ]. He led the tournament in scoring with 12 points en route to a second-place finish to the ],<ref name=intl/> losing 8–1 in the final. Seven months later, Gretzky joined Team Canada for the ] in Finland. He notched 14 points in 10 games, including a two-goal, two-assist effort in Canada's final game against ] to earn the bronze.<ref name=intl/> Gretzky did not win his first international competition until the ], when Canada defeated Sweden in a best-of-three finals. He led the tournament in scoring for the second consecutive time and was named to the All-Star Team.<ref name=intl/>
In terms of basic athletic abilities, Gretzky was not impressive. Gretzky was 6 feet tall, weighing only 160 pounds as an eighteen year old NHL rookie in 1979 and ending his career in 1999 at 185 pounds. At the beginning of Gretzky's NHL career, many critics at the time opined that Gretzky was "too small, too wiry, and too slow to be a force in the (NHL)".<ref>Oilers Heritage, ,accessed April 2, 2007</ref> On the other hand, he had no rival in his intelligence and reading of the game, being able to anticipate where the puck was going to be and execute the right move at the right time.. It was said that he "seems to have eyes in the back of his head" and had a knack of "rolling with a check."<ref>archives.cbc.ca, , accessed February 9, 2006</ref>


Gretzky's international career highlight arguably came three years later at the ]. Gretzky has called the tournament the best hockey he has played in his life.{{sfn|Willes|2007|p=1}} Playing on a line with Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Mario Lemieux, he recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games. After losing the first game of a best-of-three final series against the Soviets, Gretzky propelled Canada with a five-assist performance in the second game, including the game-winning pass to Lemieux in overtime, to extend the tournament.{{sfn|Willes|2007|p=1}} In the deciding game three, Gretzky and Lemieux once again combined for the game-winner. With the score tied 5–5 and 1:26 minutes to go in regulation, Lemieux one-timed a pass from Gretzky on a 3-on-1 with defenceman ]. Lemieux scored to win the tournament for Canada; the play is widely regarded as one of the most memorable plays in Canadian international competition.{{sfn|Willes|2007|p=149}}
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 ] 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 <ref>usatoday.com, , accessed January 26, 2007</ref> No less an expert than ] 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."<ref>Larry Schwartz, , ESPN.com Sportscentury Biography</ref>

The ] marked the last time the tournament was played under the "Canada Cup" moniker. Gretzky led the tournament for the fourth and final time with 12 points in seven games. He did not, however, compete in the final against the ] due to a back injury.<ref name=intl/> Canada nevertheless won in two games by scores of 4–1 and 4–2. Five years later, the tournament was revived and renamed the ] in ]. It marked the first time Gretzky did not finish as the tournament's leading scorer; his seven points in eight games placed him fourth overall.<ref name=intl/>

Leading up to the ] in ], Japan, it was announced that NHL players would be eligible to play for the first time. Gretzky was named to the club on November 29, 1997.<ref name=intl/> However, Gretzky was passed over for the captaincy, along with several other Canadian veterans including Steve Yzerman and Ray Bourque in favour of the younger ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506E2D6153AF932A35751C0A96E958260 |title=Nagano '98; Wearing C, for Canada |work=] |date=February 1, 1998 |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> Expectations were high for the Canadian team, but the team lost to the ] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Rachel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/olyhock21.htm |title=Hasek Stares Down Canada in Shootout, 2–1 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 1998 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429163516/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/olyhock21.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The game went to a shootout with a 1–1 tie after overtime, but Gretzky was controversially not selected by coach ] as one of the five shooters, all of whom failed to score.<ref>{{cite news |last=Molinaro |first=John |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/newsmakers/crawford_marc.html |title=Crawford leaves an uneven legacy |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215182725/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/newsmakers/crawford_marc.html |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Beacon |first=Bill |title=Nagano still nags at Gretzky |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 8, 2000 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nagano-still-nags-at-gretzky-1.253478 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222205955/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nagano-still-nags-at-gretzky-1.253478 |url-status=live }}</ref> Team Canada then lost the bronze medal game 3–2 to ] to finish without a medal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nadel |first=Mike |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/bronze21.htm |title=Finland Stuns Canada, 3–2, to Win Bronze Medal |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 1998 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429170436/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/bronze21.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Olympics marked Gretzky's eighth and final international appearance, finishing with four assists in six games. He retired from international play holding the records for most goals (20), most assists (28), and most overall points (48) in best-on-best hockey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tlh.evcco.com/rostcan.html |title=Player Records: Canada |publisher=EVCCO Top Level Hockey |date=March 21, 2010 |access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125134059/http://tlh.evcco.com/rostcan.html |archive-date=January 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Skills and influences==
===Style of play===
]
Gretzky's size and strength were unimpressive—in fact, far below average for the NHL—but he is widely considered the smartest player in the history of the game.<ref name="By |">{{cite news |last=Schlenker |first=Phil |title=Could anyone hit Wayne Gretzky? |url=http://cambridgecitizen.ca/could-anyone-hit-wayne-gretzky/ |newspaper=The Cambridge Citizen |date=April 25, 2013 |access-date=October 6, 2017 |quote=Here is what Esposito himself said about hitting Gretzky in his book on pages 15–16: 'Gretzky saw the ice better than any human being I ever saw play hockey. Until someone came along he was the smartest hockey player ever. People ask me 'Why couldn't anyone hit him?' You can't hit what you can't catch – not that he was fast, but he was so smart. Even when he lost a step when he got older, mentally he was just as sharp.'|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125259/http://cambridgecitizen.ca/could-anyone-hit-wayne-gretzky/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>{{sfn|Dryden|1998|p=10|ps=. "The results speak eloquently about the respect accorded the three players. Gretzky, the smartest player in the history of the game, Orr, the most dynamic three-zone player, and Howe, the ultimate symbol of enduring excellence, represent the holy trinity of hockey greats."}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Looney |first=Douglas S. |title=To figure Gretzky's greatness just tally up the numbers |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1999/0423/p12s1.html/%28page%29/2 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=April 23, 1999 |access-date=December 23, 2016 |quote=We've heard from former coaches (repeated ad nauseam was the comment by Barry Melrose, coach while Gretzky played for L.A.: "The reason he's dominated is that he's the smartest that ever played the game"), commentators, players, fans, even Michael Jordan. |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122143757/http://www.csmonitor.com/1999/0423/p12s1.html/(page)/2 |url-status=live }}</ref> His reading of the game and his ability to improvise on the fly were unrivaled, and he could consistently anticipate where the puck was going to be and execute the right move at the right time.<ref name="Orr"/> His coach at the Edmonton Oilers, Glen Sather, said, "He was so much more intelligent. While they were using all this energy trying to rattle his teeth, he was just skating away, circling, analyzing things."<ref>{{cite news |last=Whitt |first=Richie |title=For Gretzky, a great farewell |work=Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service |date=April 19, 1999 |access-date=February 15, 2019 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54406512.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140610211430/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54406512.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 10, 2014 |via =HighBeam }}</ref>

He was also considered one of the most creative players in hockey. "You never knew what he was going to do", said hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov. "He was improvising all the time. Every time he took the ice, there was some spontaneous decision he would make. That's what made him such a phenomenal player."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Larionov |first=Igor |editor=Steve Dryden |year=1999 |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |chapter=A consummate artist |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Inc. |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |page=92}}</ref> Gretzky's ability to improvise came into the spotlight at the 1998 Olympics in Japan. Then an older player in the sunset of his career, he had been passed over for the captaincy of the team. But as the series continued, his unique skills made him a ].

<blockquote>The Canadians had trouble with the big ice. They had trouble with the European patterns and the lateral play and the endless, inventive cycling.&nbsp;... Slowly, as game after game went by and the concern continued to rise, Wayne Gretzky began climbing through the line-up. He, almost alone among the Canadians, seemed to take to the larger ice surface as if it offered more opportunity instead of obligation&nbsp;... His playing time soared, as he was being sent on not just for power plays but double shifts and even penalty kills. By the final round&nbsp;... it was Wayne Gretzky who assumed the leadership both on and off the ice.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McGregor |first=Roy |editor=Steve Dryden |year=1999 |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |chapter=Fortune smiled upon us |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |page=34}}</ref>
</blockquote>

He passed and shot with prodigious skill. Hall of Fame defenceman Bobby Orr said of Gretzky, "He passes better than anybody I've ever seen."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Swift |first=E. M. |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126259/index.htm |title=Greatness Confirmed |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 27, 1982 |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721060932/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126259/index.htm |archive-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> In his first two seasons in the NHL, his deft passing skills helped earn him a reputation as an ace playmaker, and so opposing defencemen focused their efforts on foiling his attempts to pass the puck to other scorers. In response, Gretzky started shooting on goal himself—and with exceptional effectiveness.<ref name="autogenerated71">{{cite book |title=The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-8361-7 |page=71 |last=Swift |first=E. M. |editor=Sports Illustrated |year=2012}}</ref> He had a fast and accurate shot. "Wayne Gretzky was one of the most accurate scorers in NHL history", said one biography.<ref>{{cite book |last=Will |first=Sandra |title=Hockey for Fun |date=2003 |publisher=Compass Point |location=Minneapolis |isbn=978-0-7565-0488-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VLklgMQLd3sC&pg=PT24}}</ref> Statistics support the contention: whereas Phil Esposito, who had set the previous goal-scoring record, needed 550 shots to score 76 goals, Gretzky netted his 76th after only 287 shots—about half as many. He scored his all-time single-season record of 92 goals with just 369 shots.<ref name="autogenerated71"/> Because he was so light compared to other players, goalies were often surprised by how hard Gretzky's shot was. Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast". He also had a way of never shooting the puck with the same rhythm twice, making his shots harder to time and block.<ref>{{cite book |last=Benson |first=Michael |title=Wayne Gretzky |date=2013 |publisher=Infobase Learning |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4381-4250-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RbNbAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23}}</ref>

Veteran Canadian journalist ] wrote that Gretzky seemed to be able to slow down time.{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|pp=203–204}} "There is an unhurried grace to everything Gretzky does on the ice. Winding up for the slapshot, he will stop for an almost imperceptible moment at the top of his arc, like a golfer with a rhythmic swing." "Gretzky uses this room to insert an extra beat into his actions. In front of the net, eyeball to eyeball with the goaltender&nbsp;... he will&nbsp;... hold the puck one&nbsp;... extra instant, upsetting the anticipated rhythm of the game, extending the moment.&nbsp;... He distorts time, and not only by slowing it down. Sometimes he will release the puck before he appears to be ready, threading the pass through a maze of players precisely to the blade of a teammate's stick, or finding a chink in a goaltender's armour and slipping the puck into it&nbsp;... before the goaltender is ready to react."{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|pp=174–175}}

Commentators have noted Gretzky's uncanny ability to judge the position of the other players on the ice—so much so that many suspected he enjoyed some kind of ], that he played like he had "eyes in the back of his head".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/1093-6030/ |title=Ordinary guy with extraordinary talent |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 8, 1977 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |archive-date=April 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418201312/http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/1093-6030/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky said he sensed other players more than he saw them. "I get a feeling about where a teammate is going to be", he said. "A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking."<ref name="Young"/> Gretzky explained that what appeared to be instinct was, in large part, the effect of his relentless study and practice of the game, in co-operation with his coaches. As a result, he developed a deep understanding of its shifting patterns and dynamics. Gzowski said that Gretzky understood the game so well, that he could instantly recognize and capitalize upon emerging patterns of play: "What we take to be creative genius is in fact a reaction to a situation that he has stored in his brain as deeply and firmly as his own phone number." Gretzky agreed with this assessment, saying, "That's a hundred percent right. It's all practice. I got it from my Dad. . . . Nobody would ever say a doctor had learned his profession by instinct; yet in my own way I've put in almost as much time studying hockey as a medical student puts in studying medicine."{{sfn|Gzowski|2001|pp=203–204}}

===Physical attributes===
When he entered the league in 1979, critics opined that Gretzky was "too small, too wiry, and too slow to be a force in the ."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/big_players_waynegretzky.html |title=Wayne Gretzky—The Great One |website=OilersHeritage.com |access-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222073329/http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/big_players_waynegretzky.html |archive-date=February 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He weighed {{convert|160|lb}}, compared to the NHL average of {{convert|189|lb}} at that time.<ref name="growing">{{cite web |title=NHL is growing the game |url=http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=b6cf0e62-7503-42b6-b1b0-c998029c1f34 |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |via=canada.com |date=November 5, 2005 |access-date=January 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422133558/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=b6cf0e62-7503-42b6-b1b0-c998029c1f34 |archive-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref> But that year, Gretzky tied for first place in scoring, and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player.<ref>{{Cite book |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |year=1999 |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |chapter=Season by Season |page=95}}</ref> In his second year in the league, weighing just 165 pounds, he broke the previous single-season scoring record, racking up 164 points.<ref>{{cite book |last=Swift |first=E. M. |title=The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection |year=2012 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-8361-7 |page=31|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CiJ9kv5KRXAC&pg=PT52 |editor=Sports Illustrated |chapter=The Best and Getting Better}}</ref> The next year (1981–82), at 170 pounds—still "a wisp compared to the average NHL player"—he set the all-time goal-scoring record, putting 92 pucks in the net.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ranadivé |first=Vivek |title=The Two-Second Advantage: How We Succeed by Anticipating the Future—Just Enough |year=2011 |location=New York |isbn=978-0-307-88765-8 |page=3|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcPXkYt2E8gC |author2=Maney, Kevin |chapter=Wayne Gretzky's Brain in a Box |quote=In the 1981–82 hockey season, Wayne Gretzky broke the National Hockey League record by putting ninety-two pucks in the net. At the time he stood five feet eleven inches tall and weighed 170 pounds—a wisp compared to the average NHL player |publisher=Crown Business }}</ref> He weighed "about 170 pounds" for the better part of his career.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kramer |first=Garret |title=Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life |year=2012 |publisher=Atria Books/Beyond Words |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58270-388-6 |page=124 |quote=Hockey great Wayne Gretzky, for example, weighed about 170 pounds during the better part of his career.}}</ref> He consistently scored last in strength tests among the Edmonton Oilers, bench pressing only 140 pounds (64&nbsp;kg).{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=87}}

Despite his lack of strength, Gretzky had remarkable physical stamina. Like his hero, Gordie Howe, Gretzky possessed "an exceptional capacity to renew his energy resources quickly." In 1980, when an exercise physiologist tested the recuperative abilities of all of the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky scored so high that the tester said he "thought the machine had broken".{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|p=176}} His stamina is also indicated by the fact that Gretzky often scored late in the game. In the year he scored his record 92 goals, 22 of them went in the net during the first period, 30 in the second—and 40 in the third.<ref name="autogenerated71"/>

He also had strong general athletic skills. Growing up, he was a competitive runner and also ] .492 for the Junior Intercounty Baseball League's Brantford CKCP Braves in the summer of 1980. As a result, he was offered a contract by the ].{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|p=176}} Gretzky also excelled at ], which he played during the summer. At age ten, after scoring 196 goals in his hockey league, he scored 158 goals in lacrosse.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=14}}

According to Gretzky, lacrosse was where he learned to protect himself from hard ]: "In those days you could be hit from behind in lacrosse, as well as cross-checked, so you had to learn how to roll body checks for self-protection."{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=27}} Gretzky applied this technique as a professional player, avoiding checks with such skill that a rumour circulated that there was an unwritten rule not to hit him.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=95}} This was how Gretzky avoided serious injuries despite being undersized and entering the NHL during its "rough and tumble time"; Gretzky noted that his contemporary ] "took a beating to score goals, which consequently led him to retire because his back took a beating".<ref>{{cite web |author=By&nbsp;Anthony Scultore |url=https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/wayne-gretzky-pays-respects-mike-bossy/ |title=Wayne Gretzky pays respects to Islanders great Mike Bossy, who passed away at 65 - Forever Blueshirts: A site for New York Rangers fanatics |publisher=Forever Blueshirts |date=April 15, 2022 |accessdate=May 25, 2022 |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524005842/https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/wayne-gretzky-pays-respects-mike-bossy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Defencemen found Gretzky a most elusive target. The 205-pound (93&nbsp;kg) ], a fellow Hall of Famer, compared attempting to hit Gretzky to "wrapping your arms around fog. You saw him but when you reached out to grab him your hands felt nothing, maybe just a chill."{{sfn|Potvin|1999|p=89}}

Gretzky received a good deal of cover from burly Oiler enforcers ] and Marty McSorley.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tychkowski|first=Robert|title=Edmonton Oilers have had some of the NHL's best enforcers|work=Edmonton Sun|date=February 24, 2013|url=https://edmontonsun.com/2013/02/24/edmonton-oilers-have-had-some-of-the-nhls-best-enforcers|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725001957/https://edmontonsun.com/2013/02/24/edmonton-oilers-have-had-some-of-the-nhls-best-enforcers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brenker|first=Aaron|title=Gloves Off: The 10 Top NHL Enforcers of All Time|newspaper=Bleacher Report|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/52772-gloves-off-the-10-top-nhl-enforcers-of-all-time|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804005820/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/52772-gloves-off-the-10-top-nhl-enforcers-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weekes|1999|p=9}} The latter was traded with Gretzky in 1988 to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played the same policeman role for several more years.{{sfn|Weekes|1999|p=9}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Clinton|first=Jared|title='The Trade' Retrospective: What became of other players in Gretzky deal between Kings, Oilers?|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=August 9, 2018|url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/the-trade-retrospective-what-became-of-other-players-in-gretzky-deal-between-kings-oilers|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111165733/https://www.si.com/hockey/news/the-trade-retrospective-what-became-of-other-players-in-gretzky-deal-between-kings-oilers|url-status=live}}</ref> But Gretzky discouraged unfair hits in another way. "If a guy ran him, Wayne would embarrass that guy", said former Oiler ]. "He'd score six or seven points on him. I saw him do it night after night."{{sfn|Weekes|1999|p=9}}


==Post-retirement== ==Post-retirement==
Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the ], held in August 1999 to discuss ways to improve Canadian ice hockey.<ref name="apr-14-1999">{{cite news |title=Hockey summit to target junior leagues |last=LeBrun |first=Pierre |date=April 14, 1999 |newspaper=Brandon Sun |location=Brandon, Manitoba |agency=The Canadian Press |page=13 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-14-1999-1717120/ |access-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128195333/https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-14-1999-1717120/ |url-status=live }}{{free access}}</ref> He stressed the need to play and practice hockey for the love of the game,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/08/25/walking_in_the_footsteps_of_hockey_inaction.html |title=Walking in the footsteps of hockey inaction |last=Cribb |first=Robert |date=August 25, 2010 |work=] |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406231158/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/08/25/walking_in_the_footsteps_of_hockey_inaction.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and felt that skill was more important to develop than talent and that Canada had the potential to be world leaders in skill development.<ref name="apr-14-1999" />
Gretzky was inducted into the ] on ], ], 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 ] in 2000. In addition Gretzky's #99 was retired league-wide at the ]. Later that year, he became Alternate Governor and Managing Partner of the ] ] team. Rumours began regarding Gretzky becoming the head coach of the team, but were nixed by Gretzky and the rest of the Coyotes' ownership.<ref>Sports Desk, , ''New York Times'', June 3, 2000</ref> Despite previous denials however, on ] ] Gretzky agreed to become the new coach of the Coyotes.

Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999, becoming the tenth player to bypass the three-year waiting period.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/hall_of_fame/news/1999/11/22/gretzky_hall_ap/index.html |title=Gretzky officially welcomed into Hockey Hall of Fame |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 23, 1999 |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608024738/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/hall_of_fame/news/1999/11/22/gretzky_hall_ap/index.html |archive-date=June 8, 2012}}</ref> The Hall of Fame then announced that he would be the last player to do so.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/ind99wg4.htm |title=Induction Showcase&nbsp;– Wayne Gretzky |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615232132/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/ind99wg4.htm |archive-date=June 15, 2011}}</ref> He was inducted into the ] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/history/the-iihf/iihf-hall-of-fame.html |title=IIHF Hall of Fame |publisher=] |access-date=April 25, 2008 |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829053409/http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/history/the-iihf/iihf-hall-of-fame.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, Gretzky's jersey number 99 was retired league-wide at the ], a decision inspired by ]'s retirement of the number 42 worn by ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game |work=CNNSports Illustrated. Associated Press |date=February 6, 2000 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112022319/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> In October 1999, Edmonton honoured Gretzky by renaming one of Edmonton's busiest freeways, Capilano Drive—which passes by Northlands Coliseum—to ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton-pays-tribute-to-wayne-gretzky-1.174152 |title=Edmonton pays tribute to Wayne Gretzky |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=October 1, 1999 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105216/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton-pays-tribute-to-wayne-gretzky-1.174152 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in Edmonton, the local transit authority assigned a rush-hour bus route numbered No. 99 which also runs on Wayne Gretzky Drive for its commute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/transit/route_schedules_and_maps/current/RT099.pdf |title=Route 99 |publisher=Edmonton Transit System |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201132832/http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/transit/route_schedules_and_maps/current/RT099.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

]. He received the honour in 2002.]]
In 2002, the Kings held a jersey retirement ceremony and erected a life-sized ] outside the ]; the ceremony was delayed until then so that Bruce McNall, who had recently finished a prison sentence, could attend.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2002/1009/1443724.html |title=Gretzky jersey ceremony turns into L.A. lovefest |work=ESPN |date=October 11, 2002 |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025081916/http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2002/1009/1443724.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2002, Gretzky received a star on ] in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 Inductees |website=canadaswalkoffame.com |publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame |url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/2002 |access-date=August 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223338/http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/2002 |url-status=live }}</ref> His hometown of Brantford, Ontario, renamed Park Road North to "Wayne Gretzky Parkway" as well as renaming the North Park Recreation Centre to The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. Brantford further inducted Gretzky into its "Walk of Fame" in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Genealogy: Sports |website=brantford.library.on.ca |publisher=Brantford Public Library |url=http://www.brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/famoussports.php |access-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070924142038/http://www.brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/famoussports.php |archive-date=September 24, 2007}}</ref> On May 10, 2010, he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Names In The News |work=Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2010/05/Issue-178/Sports-Industrialists.aspx |access-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011055255/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2010/05/Issue-178/Sports-Industrialists.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref> Gretzky was named one of the ] in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=NHL reveals its 100 greatest players |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=January 27, 2017 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/01/27/the-nhl-100-hockeys-greatest-players-honored-in-centennial/97174336/ |access-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316115804/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/01/27/the-nhl-100-hockeys-greatest-players-honored-in-centennial/97174336/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Phoenix Coyotes===
Almost immediately after retirement, several NHL teams approached Gretzky about an ownership role.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky turns down offers; Six NHL teams court him for ownership role |last=Campbell |first=Kent |work=Toronto Star |page=1}}</ref> In May 2000, he agreed to buy a 10% stake in the ] in a partnership with majority owner Steve Ellman, taking on the roles of alternate governor, managing partner and head of hockey operations.<ref name="gallagher">{{cite news |work=The Province |page=A81 |title=Great One saves hockey in Phoenix |last=Gallagher |first=Tony |date=May 28, 2000}}</ref> The Coyotes were in the process of being sold and Ellman convinced Gretzky to come on board, averting a potential move to ].<ref name="gallagher"/> The sale was not completed until the following year, on February 15, 2001, after two missed deadlines while securing financing and partners before Ellman and Gretzky could take over. Trucking magnate and ] part-owner ] was added to the partnership.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky era begins: The Great One, Ellman complete purchase of Coyotes |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |page=C12 |date=February 16, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=East Valley Tribune |title=Ellman leaving Coyotes ownership group |last=Paulson |first=Matt |date=April 12, 2006 |url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/ellman-leaving-coyotes-ownership-group/article_52e232d6-bd0c-5a5b-bb7c-3b444611c94e.html |access-date=April 30, 2017 |archive-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031124335/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/ellman-leaving-coyotes-ownership-group/article_52e232d6-bd0c-5a5b-bb7c-3b444611c94e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky convinced his long-time agent Michael Barnett to join the team as its General Manager.<ref>{{cite news |work=Calgary Herald |page=E2 |date=August 29, 2001 |title=Barnett joins Gretzky in desert: Former agent new GM in Phoenix}}</ref>


In 2005, rumours began circulating that Gretzky was about to name himself head coach of the Coyotes, but were denied by Gretzky and the team.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sports Desk |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E2D91E3CF930A35755C0A9669C8B63 |title=Plus: N.H.L.—Phoenix; Gretzky's Role To Be Limited |work=The New York Times |date=June 3, 2000 |access-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012170206/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E2D91E3CF930A35755C0A9669C8B63 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, Gretzky agreed to become head coach on August 8, 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-coach-phoenix-coyotes-1.535179 |title=Gretzky to coach Phoenix Coyotes |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=August 8, 2005 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202151109/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-coach-phoenix-coyotes-1.535179 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=138883 |title=Canucks spoil Great One's coaching debut |publisher=The Sports Network |agency=Associated Press |date=October 6, 2005 |access-date=April 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112120844/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=138883 |archive-date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> and won his first game, on October 8 against the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2005020037 |title=Minnesota Wild 1, Phoenix Coyotes 2 Final |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 8, 2005 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117010700/http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2005020037 |url-status=live }}</ref> He took an indefinite ] on December 17 to be with his ill mother. Phyllis Gretzky died of lung cancer on December 19.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2265795 |title='Toughest' of the Gretzkys, Phyllis dies at 64 |work=ESPN |date=December 20, 2005 |access-date=April 25, 2008 |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207174016/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2265795 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky resumed his head-coaching duties on December 28.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-return-to-coyotes-wednesday-1.567129 |title=Gretzky to return to Coyotes Wednesday |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 28, 2005 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101150410/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-return-to-coyotes-wednesday-1.567129 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Coyotes' record at the end of the 2005–06 season was 38–39–5, a 16-win improvement over 2003–04; they were 36–36–5 in games Gretzky coached.<ref name="steps"/>
In the time leading up to Gretzky's announcement, several prominent free agents signed with Phoenix citing the chance to play for Gretzky, including ]. 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 &mdash; he scored 228 goals between ] and ] &mdash; if it weren't for The Great One. From ] to ], Gretzky scored 254 goals.


In 2006, Moyes became majority owner of the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=NHL approves ownership moves for St. Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes |location=Toronto |work=National Post |date=June 22, 2006 |page=B10}}</ref> There was uncertainty about Gretzky's role<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky ponders his future amid ownership shuffle |last=Bagnato |first=Andrew |location=Toronto |work=The Globe and Mail |date=April 14, 2006 |page=S4}}</ref> until it was announced on May 31, 2006, that he had agreed to a five-year contract to remain head coach.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=167404 |title=Gretzky returns with five-year extension |publisher=The Sports Network |date=May 31, 2006 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112153124/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=167404 |archive-date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> The Coyotes' performance declined in 2006–07, as the team ended the season 15th in their conference. During Gretzky's coaching tenure, the Coyotes did not reach the postseason, and their best finish in the Western Conference standings was 12th.<ref name="steps"/>
]
Gretzky made his coaching debut on ], ], the opening night of the ], losing 3-2 to the ]. His first coaching victory was ], ], beating the ] 2-1. Gretzky took an indefinite ] as coach on ], ] to care for his ill mother in ]. His mother lost her battle to ] two days later, passing away on ], ]. Assistant coach ] assumed the position until Gretzky's return on ]. Coyotes' CEO Jeff Shumway announced on ], ] that Gretzky has agreed to a new five-year contract to remain as head coach.


On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for ] bankruptcy. An ownership dispute involving ]'s ] (to relocate the team to ]) and the NHL itself arose, which eventually ended up in court. Gretzky did not attend the Coyotes' training camp, leaving associate head coach ] in charge, due to an uncertain contractual status with the club, whose bankruptcy hearings were continuing. Bidders for the club had indicated that Gretzky would no longer be associated with the team after it emerged from bankruptcy, and on September 24, 2009, Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations of the Coyotes. Gretzky's final head coaching record was 143–161–24.<ref name="steps">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904 |title=Gretzky steps down as Coyotes coach |work=ESPN |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=September 24, 2009 |archive-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928091917/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Additionally, since Gretzky's retirement, a statue has been erected outside ], home of his former ], in his honor, as well as another statue outside ] home of his ].


===Winter Olympics=== ===Winter Olympics===
Gretzky was Executive Director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the ] in ]. On ], he lashed out at the media at a ], 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 ] to take the pressure off his players. Canada went on to win the gold medal. Gretzky was executive director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the ] in ], Utah. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a ], frustrated with media and fan comments regarding his team's uninspiring 1–1–1 start.<ref name="record-lash-report">{{cite news |title=It's us against the world, emotional Gretzky says; The Great One even lashes out against 'American propaganda' |work=The Record |page=D1 |date=February 19, 2002}}</ref> His temper boiled over after Canada's 3–3&nbsp;draw versus 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.<ref name="record-lash-report"/> 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. Gretzky addressed those comments by saying he spoke out to protect the Canadian players, and the tirade was not "staged".<ref>{{cite news |last=Scanlan |first=Wayne |date=February 20, 2002 |title=Gretzky: No regrets: The Canadian hockey team boss says he spoke out, loudly, to 'protect' his players |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=C1}}</ref> The Canadian team won the gold medal, its first in 50&nbsp;years.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/24/usa_canada_ap/ |title=Stand on guard for thee |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 25, 2002 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018183530/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/24/usa_canada_ap/ |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref>


Gretzky again acted as Executive Director of Canada's men's hockey team at the ] in ], though not to the success of 2002; the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals and ]. He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 ], but declined due to his mother's poor health. Gretzky again acted as executive director of Canada's men's ] team at the ] in ], though not with the success of 2002; the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals and failed to win a medal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Alan |url=https://www.olympics.com.au/news/gretzky-moved-to-tears-as-russia-beats-canada-2-0/ |title=Gretzky moved to tears as Russia beats Canada 2–0 |website=olympics.com.au |publisher=] |agency=Associated Press |date=February 23, 2006 |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216194930/https://www.olympics.com.au/news/gretzky-moved-to-tears-as-russia-beats-canada-2-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 ], but declined due to his mother's poor health.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/?id=119130 |title=Statement from Wayne Gretzky |publisher=The Sports Network |date=March 21, 2005 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112102049/http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/?id=119130 |archive-date=January 12, 2009}}</ref>


] during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.]]
===The Heritage Classic===
{{main|Heritage Classic}}
Although Gretzky previously stated he would not participate in any old-timers exhibition games, on ], he took to the ice one last time to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. The ], held at ] in Edmonton, was the first NHL game to be played outdoors. It was preceded by the Mega Stars game, which featured Gretzky and many of his ] teammates against a group of retired ] players including ] and ]. Despite frigid temperatures, the crowd numbered 57,167 (an NHL record), with an additional several million watching the game on ].<ref>{{cite news
| last = Yario
| first = Kara
| title = On frozen pond
| url = http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_48_227/ai_110963043
| publisher = The Sporting News
| date = 2003-12-01
| accessdate = 2007-05-03}}</ref>
The Edmonton alumni won the Megastars 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 entitled ''Heritage Classic: A November to Remember''.


Gretzky served as an ambassador to Vancouver's successful bid for the ],<ref>{{cite web|title=Wayne Gretzky, in China, says NHL letting its stars play in Olympics is 'better for everyone'|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/wayne-gretzky-in-china-says-nhl-letting-its-stars-play-in-olympics-is-better-for-everyone/|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=CBS Sports|date=September 13, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160040/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/wayne-gretzky-in-china-says-nhl-letting-its-stars-play-in-olympics-is-better-for-everyone/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named Special Advisor to Canada's men's ] team at the Games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canada Roster – 2010 Olympic Winter Games|url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Team-Canada/Men/Olympics/2010/Rosters/CAN|access-date=July 31, 2014|website=hockeycanada.ca|publisher=Hockey Canada|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808223214/http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Team-Canada/Men/Olympics/2010/Rosters/CAN|url-status=live}}</ref> During the Games' ], Gretzky, basketball player ], skier ], and speed skater ] jointly lit the ] inside the ceremony venue of ].<ref>{{cite web|date=February 14, 2010|title=Anxious moments during cauldron malfunction|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/anxious-moments-during-cauldron-malfunction-20100214-nz57.html|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526154820/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/anxious-moments-during-cauldron-malfunction-20100214-nz57.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to BC Place being an indoor stadium, and Olympic protocols stating that the lighting of the cauldron should be visible to the public, Gretzky was then escorted out of the stadium to light a second, outdoor cauldron outside the ], making him the ''de facto'' final torchbearer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crawford|first=Tiffany|date=February 13, 2010|title=People chase Gretzky through the streets of Vancouver|newspaper=]|publisher=CanWest Publishing|url=https://vancouversun.com/People+chase+Wayne+Gretzky+through+streets+Vancouver/2558755/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216130848/http://www.vancouversun.com/People%2Bchase%2BWayne%2BGretzky%2Bthrough%2Bstreets%2BVancouver/2558755/story.html|archive-date=February 16, 2010}}</ref>
==Off the ice==
Gretzky met American actress ] in ] when he was a judge on '']'' and she was a dancer on the show. They ran into each other at a ] game in 1987.<ref>SI.com, , accessed February 7, 2006</ref> On ]'s ] ] show, Gretzky revealed that he and Janet consummated their relationship that night (Stern remarked: "That's why they call you 'The Great One'".)


===Alumni games===
Janet was four months pregnant with ] when they married on ], ].<ref name="TerryJones">Jones, Terry. . Canoe.ca.</ref> "The Royal Wedding" was broadcast live throughout Canada from ], although neither Gretzky nor Jones is ]. Members of the Fire Department acted as guards at the church steps. The event reportedly cost Gretzky over ]1 million. They have 4 other children: Ty Robert (b. ], ]), Trevor Douglas (b. ], ]), Tristan Wayne (b. ] ]), and Emma Marie (b. ], ]). Gretzky obtained ] citizenship after the wedding. Ty plays for ] Midget AA hockey team, the same school that produced ]. <ref>''Toronto Star'' via ''New York Times Newe Service'', , accessed July 18, 2007</ref>
{{main|2003 Heritage Classic|2017 NHL Winter Classic}}
Although Gretzky had previously stated he would not participate in any "old-timers exhibition games",<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2003 |title=Oilers will play Canadiens in outdoor game |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0603/1562539.html |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112194019/http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0603/1562539.html |url-status=live }}</ref> on November 22, 2003, he took to the ice to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. The Heritage Classic, held at ] in Edmonton, was the first regular season NHL game to be played outdoors.<ref name="Heritage">{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Kevin |title=Fans, players bundle up for historic game |work=USA Today |date=November 22, 2003 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/games/2003-11-22-canadiens-oilers-_x.htm |access-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-date=July 29, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040729210044/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/games/2003-11-22-canadiens-oilers-_x.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was preceded by the Mega Stars game, which featured Gretzky and many of his ] teammates against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players (whose likes included ], ] and others). Despite frigid temperatures, the crowd numbered 57,167, with an additional several million watching the game on television.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yario |first=Kara |title=On frozen pond |work=] |date=December 1, 2003 |pages=20–21}}</ref> The Edmonton alumni won the Megastars game 2–0,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oilers' oldies blank Canadiens' greats |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 22, 2003 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/heritageclassic/features/megastars.html |access-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124160410/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/heritageclassic/features/megastars.html |archive-date=November 24, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Montreal went on to win the regular season game held later that day, 4–3.<ref name="Heritage"/>


Thirteen years later, on December 31, 2016, Gretzky participated in the Winter Classic Alumni Game, which was held between teams of former ] and St. Louis Blues players two days before the 2017 Winter Classic. Gretzky represented the Blues in the game, which his team won 8–7.<ref>{{cite web |last=Basu |first=Arpon |title=Wayne Gretzky at home in St. Louis |publisher=National Hockey League |date=December 31, 2016 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-appreciates-blues-blackhawks-alumni-game/c-285212980 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130154808/https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-appreciates-blues-blackhawks-alumni-game/c-285212980 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In ] Gretzky purchased the ] of the ] with ] and ]. He and McNall later bought one of the ] ] ]s. Gretzky hosted '']'' in 1989.


===Edmonton Oilers===
Once Gretzky retired, one of Edmonton's busiest inner city highway's that passes by the Oilers arena, Capilano Drive, was renamed to "Wayne Gretzky Drive" in October of 1999. Similarly, most of Park Road in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario, is now "Wayne Gretzky Parkway".
In October 2016, Gretzky returned to the Oilers as a partner and vice-chairman of the team's parent company, ], to work closely with owner ] and Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson on the business side of the Oilers' operation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne Gretzky returns to Oilers in executive role |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=The Canadian Press |date=October 13, 2016 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-wayne-gretzky-partner-vp-1.3802103 |access-date=November 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019220456/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-wayne-gretzky-partner-vp-1.3802103 |url-status=live }}</ref>


On May 25, 2021, Gretzky announced that he would step down from his role with the Oilers, stating that "The Oilers, their fans, and the city of Edmonton have meant the world to me and my family for over four decades—and that will never end. Given the ] and other life changes, I realize I will not be able to dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Wayne Gretzky stepping away from role with Edmonton Oilers|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7892132/wayne-gretzky-stepping-away-from-edmonton-oilers/|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526012426/https://globalnews.ca/news/7892132/wayne-gretzky-stepping-away-from-edmonton-oilers/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was subsequently reported by various outlets that Gretzky had signed with new U.S. NHL rightsholder ] to become an analyst.<ref name=":0" /> He serves as a studio analyst for NHL broadcasts on ].
He has endorsed a wide variety of products, including ] ], his own line of ], pillow cases, ], ] bars, ]s, ]es and a ] ].<ref>Rubylane.com, , accessed February 7, 2006</ref> Other endorsements include ], Titan, and Easton ]s, ], Peak Antifreeze, ]-Canada, ], ], ], ], ], the Official All-Star Café, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and Power Automotive Group. He and Ty did commercials for the ].<ref>jnj.com,, December 1, 1999</ref> Gretzky also lent his likeness (along with ] and ]) to a 1992 cartoon show, '']'',<ref>Retrojunk.com, , accessed February 7, 2006</ref> and ]s in 1991, ], 2004, and 2006. ] estimates that Gretzky earned US$93.8 million from 1990-98. In 1998, Gretzky launched a line of menswear,<ref>Sylvi Capelaci, , ''Toronto Sun'', September 22, 1998</ref> and signed a licensing agreement with a ] company. The model of helmet that Gretzky wore, the Jofa VM, is known as the "Gretzky helmet". Gretzky is featured in several lines of ] figures created by ] co-owner ].<ref>mcfarlane.com, , accessed January 29, 2007 </ref>


==Personal life==
===Gambling controversy===
Gretzky has made several TV appearances, including as a '']'' celebrity judge, and acted in a dramatic role alongside ] in '']'' in 1981.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=93}} In 1984, he travelled to the Soviet Union to film a television program on Russian goaltender ].{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=94}} Gretzky was a ] of the American late night variety show '']'' in 1989.{{sfn|Taylor|1994|p=120}} A fictional crime-fighting version of him served as one of the main characters in the cartoon '']'' in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Craig |title=Bo-ners, Re-gretz and Mike-believe Two-line Head In Forms |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=September 15, 1991 |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-15/sports/9102050687_1_bo-jackson-first-adventure-shark |access-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413152932/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-15/sports/9102050687_1_bo-jackson-first-adventure-shark |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2016, Gretzky made a cameo on a ] of '']'' as a winter character.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Luke |title=Gotta See It: Wayne Gretzky's very brief 'Simpsons' cameo |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-simpsons-watch-episode-christmas-santa-maggie-dream/ |website=sportsnet.ca |publisher=Sportsnet |date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=December 22, 2016 |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223062518/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-simpsons-watch-episode-christmas-santa-maggie-dream/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On ], ], Coyotes assistant coach ] was implicated in a ]-based ] ring. Bets were allegedly taken from NHL players, Janet Jones and Coyotes GM Michael Barnett, who confirmed to police he placed a bet on ] 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."<ref>ESPN.go.com , accessed February 11, 2006</ref> Reports by the '']'' stated that the ] possessed ] 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.<ref>Rick Hepp, , ''Newark Star-Ledger'', February 9, 2006</ref> Another source later confirmed that the wiretap occurred after police went to Gretzky's house to question Jones.<ref>MSNBC.com, , accessed February 12, 2006</ref> It was announced on ], ] that Gretzky would not be charged nor would it be likely his wife would be charged.<ref>Angela Della Santi and Beth DeFalco, , ] Newswire</ref>


Gretzky is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, having become a naturalized citizen of the latter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Treble|first=Patricia|date=November 13, 2018|title=Why won't Wayne Gretzky pick up his Order of Canada?|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/why-wont-wayne-gretzky-pick-up-his-order-of-canada/|access-date=February 11, 2022|website=Maclean's|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212014152/https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/why-wont-wayne-gretzky-pick-up-his-order-of-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Rayman|first=Noah|date=August 21, 2013|title=Wayne Gretzky|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/08/21/they-live-among-us-10-canadians-who-became-americans/slide/wayne-gretzky/|access-date=February 12, 2022|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212014144/https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/08/21/they-live-among-us-10-canadians-who-became-americans/slide/wayne-gretzky/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On ], ], the ] announced it will ] Jones to testify as soon as a ] convenes. On ], Tocchet and Jones filed separate notices that they intend to sue the State of New Jersey for $50 million each for ], claiming the investigation damaged their reputations and cost them business opportunities.<ref>David Vest, , ''The Arizona Republic'', May 26, 2006</ref> On ], 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.


==Transactions== ===Family===
]
*June 12, 1978 - Signed as a free agent with the ]
While serving as a judge on ''Dance Fever'', Gretzky met actress ].{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=140}} According to Gretzky, Jones does not recall his being on the show.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=140}} They met regularly after that, but did not become a couple until 1987 when they ran into each other at a ] game.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/09/14/gallery.celebrities/content.4.html |title=Power Couples |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 14, 2005 |access-date=February 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232555/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/09/14/gallery.celebrities/content.4.html |archive-date=December 30, 2013}}</ref> Gretzky proposed in January 1988,{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=145}} and they were married on July 16, 1988, in a lavish ceremony the Canadian press dubbed "The Royal Wedding".<ref name="TerryJones">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Terry |url=http://www.slam.canoe.ca/GretzkyRetires/apr19_99edm_bio5.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20040930001254/http://www.slam.canoe.ca/GretzkyRetires/apr19_99edm_bio5.html |archive-date=September 30, 2004 |title=The Royal Wedding |work=Edmonton Sun |date=April 19, 1999 |via=slam.canoe.ca |url-status=usurped |access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> Broadcast live throughout Canada from ], members of the Fire Department acted as ceremonial guards. The event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=McRae |first=Earl |title=The many faces of Miss Jones |work=The Ottawa Sun |date=February 10, 2006}}</ref>


The couple have five children: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. Paulina and golfer ] announced their engagement on August 18, 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/18/paulina-gretzky-engaged-dustin-johnson_n_3776329.html |title=Paulina Gretzky Engaged To PGA Star Dustin Johnson |work=HuffPost |access-date=July 20, 2014 |date=August 18, 2013 |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626025844/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/18/paulina-gretzky-engaged-dustin-johnson_n_3776329.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and married on April 23, 2022, in Tennessee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2022/04/25/dustin-johnson-paulina-gretzky-tie-the-knot-married-wedding |title=Dustin Johnson, Paulina Gretzky tie the knot |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=PGA Tour}}</ref> Ty played hockey at ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/160706 |title=Tied by great expectations |work=Toronto Star |date=December 18, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813205422/http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/160706 |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but quit the sport, and attended ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bourquin |first=Bruce |title=The Front Row With Bruce Bourquin: June 13, 2014 |work=Coeur d'Alene Press |date=June 13, 2014 |url=http://cdapress.com/news/sports/article_1cb29732-1fbd-5994-90ff-aff7010b2860.html |access-date=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107072205/http://www.cdapress.com/news/sports/article_1cb29732-1fbd-5994-90ff-aff7010b2860.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Trevor is a former minor league baseball player.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gretzk000tre |title=Trevor Gretzky statistics |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515232041/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gretzk000tre |url-status=live }}</ref>
*November 2, 1978 - Traded by the Indianapolis Racers, along with ] and ], to the ] in exchange for $700,000 and future considerations.


His father Walter died in 2021 at the age of 82.<ref>{{cite web|title=Walter Gretzky, father of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, dies at 82|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7678726/walter-gretzky-death-wayne-father-hockey/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627182305/https://globalnews.ca/news/7678726/walter-gretzky-death-wayne-father-hockey/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*August 9, 1988 - Traded by the Edmonton Oilers, along with ] and ]. to the ] in exchange for ], ], Los Angeles' 1989, 1991 and 1993 1st round draft choices and cash.


===Business ventures===
*February 27, 1996 - Traded by the Los Angeles Kings to the ] in exchange for Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif, St. Louis' 1996 5th round ] and St. Louis' 1997 1st round draft choice.
Gretzky owned or partnered in the ownership of two sports teams before becoming a partner in the Phoenix Coyotes. In 1985, Gretzky bought the ] of the ] for C$175,000.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |date=March 8, 1985 |title=Gretzky buys Hull juniors |page=C9}}</ref> During his ownership, the team's colours were changed to silver and black, presaging the change in team jersey colours when he played for the Los Angeles Kings. For the first season that Gretzky played in Los Angeles, the Kings had their training camp at the Olympiques' arena.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky brings Kings to Hull |last=Morrissey |first=Bob |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |date=September 12, 1989 |page=F1}}</ref> Gretzky sold the team in 1992 for C$550,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Junior Hockey; Gretzky sells his team; There will be at least another three Olympiques years in Hull; Senators want to train in Hull, but Henry not big on idea |page=E3 |date=May 15, 1992 |last1=Warren |first1=Ken |last2=Mayoh |first2=Rick |work=Ottawa Citizen}}</ref>


]
*July 21, 1996 - Signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers.
In 1991, McNall purchased the ] of the ] (CFL) with Gretzky and ] as minority owners.<ref name="kelly">{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Malcolm |title=Rocket Men: The far-out (but true) story of the '91 Argos |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/rocket-ismail-argos |access-date=November 29, 2018 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819111745/http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/rocket-ismail-argos |url-status=live }}</ref> The club won the ] championship in the first year of the partnership but struggled in the two following seasons, and the partnership sold the team before the 1994 season.<ref name=kelly/><ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto Argonauts sold for $4.7 million |work=United Press International |date=May 5, 1994 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/05/05/Toronto-Argonauts-sold-for-47-million/1852768110400/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215173124/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/05/05/Toronto-Argonauts-sold-for-47-million/1852768110400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Only McNall's name was engraved on the Grey Cup as team owner, but in November 2007, the CFL corrected the oversight, adding Gretzky's and Candy's names.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/gretzky-candy-to-get-names-etched-on-grey-cup-1.686330 |title=Gretzky, Candy to get names etched on Grey Cup |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=May 29, 2007 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=April 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419090537/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/gretzky-candy-to-get-names-etched-on-grey-cup-1.686330 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1992, Gretzky and McNall partnered in an investment to buy a rare ] of ] for US$451,000, later selling the card. It most recently sold for US$2.8 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/honus-wagner-card-sells-for-record-2-8m-1.672892 |title=Honus Wagner card sells for record $2.8M |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 6, 2007 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926185237/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/honus-wagner-card-sells-for-record-2-8m-1.672892 |url-status=live }}</ref> The pair also owned ] race horses; one of them, ], won France's ] in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |last=Milbert |first=Neil |title=Gretzky A Great One Among Thoroughbred Owners, Too |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 24, 1990 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/10/24/gretzky-a-great-one-among-thoroughbred-owners-too/ |access-date=August 12, 2017 |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813011421/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-10-24/sports/9003300929_1_golden-pheasant-kings-owner-los-angeles-kings-owner |url-status=live}}</ref> Gretzky was a board member and executive officer of the Hespeler Hockey Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky will work closer with Hespeler Hockey |work=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal |date=May 18, 1999 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/1999/05/17/daily9.html |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>


Gretzky's appeal as a product endorser far surpassed that of other hockey players of his era. By 1995, he was among the five highest-paid athlete endorsers in North America, with deals from ], ], ], and ] among others.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wigge |first=Larry |title=Gretzky Ranks Among Elite In Arena of Endorsements |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 19, 1995 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19950219/2105837/gretzky-ranks-among-elite-in-arena-of-endorsements |access-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527071328/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950219&slug=2105837 |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' estimates that Gretzky made US$93.8&nbsp;million from 1990 to 1998.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |title=The Great One |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00229711.html |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702072005/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00229711.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has endorsed and launched a wide variety of products, from pillowcases to insurance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Richler |first=Mordecai |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20F17FA3E5D0C7A8EDDA00894DD484D81 |title=King of the New Canada |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 1985 |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/gretzky-talks-about-tylenol-headache-1.181122 |title=Gretzky talks about Tylenol headache |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 10, 2000 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729044529/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/1999/09/21/gretzkytyl990921.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky is a partner in First Team Sports, a maker of sports equipment and Worldwide Roller Hockey, Inc., an operator of roller hockey rinks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hockey Great Wayne Gretzky and First Team Sports Partner in Hockey Equipment Company |agency=PR Newswire |date=October 6, 1997 |website=thefreelibrary.com |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hockey+Great+Wayne+Gretzky+and+First+Team+Sports+Partner+in+Hockey...-a019818937 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810063141/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hockey+Great+Wayne+Gretzky+and+First+Team+Sports+Partner+in+Hockey...-a019818937 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Skeen |first=Jim |title=Gretzky Center Rising in A.V. |work=Los Angeles Daily News |date=March 16, 1999 |page=AV1}}</ref> The video game brand ] included Gretzky in its 2010 title '']'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Tilley |first=Steve |title=Great One getting back in the game |website=Canoe.com |date=May 29, 2010 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/05/28/14173601.html |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529050328/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/05/28/14173601.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and he had previously been an endorser for ] and ]'s video games '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Wayne Gretzky Takes the Ice With 989 Sports for Signature Hockey Franchise |website=us.playstation.com |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=August 5, 2004 |url=https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-computer-entertainment-america-inc/2004/wayne-gretzky-takes-the-ice-with-989-sports-for-signature-hockey-franchise.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216194926/https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-computer-entertainment-america-inc/2004/wayne-gretzky-takes-the-ice-with-989-sports-for-signature-hockey-franchise.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gretzky NHL 06 |website=IGN |url=http://www.ign.com/games/gretzky-nhl-06/ps2-748612 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529045222/http://www.ign.com/games/gretzky-nhl-06/ps2-748612 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Career Statistics==

{| BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" width="85%" style="text-align:center"
In 2017 as part-owner with Andrew Peller Ltd., Gretzky opened a ] and ] named ''Wayne Gretzky Estates'' in ], with products labelled by the trademark ''No. 99''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our story: Gretzky Estates Winery |website=gretzkyestateswines.com |publisher=Wayne Gretzky Estates |url=http://www.gretzkyestateswines.com/our-story/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130071514/http://www.gretzkyestateswines.com/our-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wayne Gretzky Estates |url=http://www.andrewpeller.com/gretzky.php |website=andrewpeller.com |publisher=Andrew Peller Ltd |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030257/http://www.andrewpeller.com/gretzky.php |url-status=live }}</ref> From 1993 to 2020, Gretzky and a business partner operated the ''Wayne Gretzky's'' restaurant near the ] in downtown Toronto.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Wayne Gretzky's Toronto Celebrates 25 Years of Greatness |magazine=Foodservice and Hospitality |publisher=Kostuch Media Ltd |last=Bostock |first=Amy |date=March 29, 2018 |url=https://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/wayne-gretzkys-toronto-celebrates-25-years-of-greatness/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403071405/http://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/wayne-gretzkys-toronto-celebrates-25-years-of-greatness/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Hockey Canada Foundation Board of Directors |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/foundation/about/board |website=hockeycanada.ca |publisher=Hockey Canada |access-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070425/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/foundation/about/board |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=55 shades of Great: Random facts about Wayne Gretzky on his 55th birthday |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14621635/nhl-55-shades-great-facts-wayne-gretzky-55th-birthday |work=ESPN |access-date=December 10, 2018 |date=January 26, 2016 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070334/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14621635/nhl-55-shades-great-facts-wayne-gretzky-55th-birthday |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anthistle |first1=Miranda |title=Last call at Wayne Gretzky's sports bar in Toronto after 27 years |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7388551/wayne-gretzkys-sports-bar-closing/ |access-date=November 16, 2020 |publisher=Global News |date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101012204/https://globalnews.ca/news/7388551/wayne-gretzkys-sports-bar-closing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky has other restaurants opened in 2016 at the ] and named ''No. 99 Gretzky's Wine & Whisky'',<ref>{{cite news |last=Klinkenberg |first=Marty |title=Wayne Gretzky to open restaurant at Edmonton International Airport |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/wayne-gretzky-to-open-restaurant-at-edmonton-international-airport/article31682683/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |date=September 1, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413161915/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/wayne-gretzky-to-open-restaurant-at-edmonton-international-airport/article31682683/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2018 called ''Studio 99'' at ] in Edmonton, ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lees |first=Nick |title=Nick Lees: Don Metz in spotlight as Wayne Gretzky opens new restaurant in Rogers Place |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/nick-lees-don-metz-in-spotlight-as-wayne-gretzky-opens-new-restaurant-in-rogers-place |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |access-date=November 29, 2018 |date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030341/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/nick-lees-don-metz-in-spotlight-as-wayne-gretzky-opens-new-restaurant-in-rogers-place |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Release: Studio 99 opens in Rogers Place October 18 |url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-studio-99-opens-in-rogers-place-october-18/c-300846522 |publisher=National Hockey League |author=Edmonton Oilers |access-date=December 10, 2018 |date=October 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070216/https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-studio-99-opens-in-rogers-place-october-18/c-300846522 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
===Books===
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
Gretzky has written several books, including ''Gretzky: An Autobiography'' (1990), with ],<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodrich |first=Chris |title=Gretzky: An Autobiography By Wayne Gretzky with Rick Reilly (HarperCollins: $19.95; 258 pp.) |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 21, 1990 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-21-bk-4108-story.html |access-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601013940/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-21-bk-4108-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''99: My Life in Pictures'' (1999), with ] and Dan Diamond.<ref>{{cite book |title=99: My Life in Pictures |publisher=WorldCat |oclc=906845308}}</ref> His most recent work, ''99: Stories of the Game'' (2016), with ], was an in-depth look at the history of hockey.<ref>{{cite news |last=Popplewell |first=Brett |title=Review: Wayne Gretzky writes hockey's history in 99 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=October 21, 2016 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-wayne-gretzky-writes-hockeys-history-in-99/article32469466/ |access-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809184112/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-wayne-gretzky-writes-hockeys-history-in-99/article32469466/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the best-selling Canadian book of 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/99-is-no-1-wayne-gretzky-s-hockey-book-is-top-selling-canadian-title-of-2016-1.636401 |title=Gretzky's book tops Canadian sales for 2016 |agency=The Canadian Press |date=December 21, 2016 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801120919/https://www.tsn.ca/99-is-no-1-wayne-gretzky-s-hockey-book-is-top-selling-canadian-title-of-2016-1.636401 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="9" | Regular&nbsp;season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
===Political activity===
! colspan="5" | Playoffs
] in 1982]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
In 2003, while not criticizing Canada for declining to participate in the ], Gretzky praised US President ] and his handling of the conflict, saying: "the President of the United States is a great leader, I happen to think he's a wonderful man and if he believes what he's doing is right, I back him 100 per cent."<ref>{{cite news |last=Graveland |first=Bill |title=Bush a great leader, Gretzky feels |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bush-a-great-leader-gretzky-feels/article25281806/ |access-date=February 23, 2020 |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=The Canadian Press |date=March 25, 2003 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101123402/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bush-a-great-leader-gretzky-feels/article25281806/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Season

!Team
During the ] campaign, Gretzky endorsed the Conservative Party and Prime Minister ], and was featured at a campaign rally praising Harper as "wonderful to the country".<ref name=harper>{{cite news |title=Wayne Gretzky endorses Harper despite not being allowed to vote |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gretzky-harper-1.3234136 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130052006/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gretzky-harper-1.3234136 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a non-resident, Gretzky came under some criticism for this endorsement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Treble |first1=Patricia |title=Awarded Canada's top honour in 2009, Gretzky has yet to pick it up |url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/awarded-canadas-top-honour-in-2009-gretzky-has-yet-to-pick-it-up/ |access-date=October 20, 2015 |work=Maclean's |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019130515/http://www.macleans.ca/politics/awarded-canadas-top-honour-in-2009-gretzky-has-yet-to-pick-it-up/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Warmington |first1=Joe |title=Critics hit Gretzky with cheap shots |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/09/21/critics-hit-gretzky-with-cheap-shots |access-date=October 20, 2015 |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=September 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008152532/http://www.torontosun.com/2015/09/21/critics-hit-gretzky-with-cheap-shots |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Eijk |first1=Jan |title=Not so great |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/not-so-great |access-date=October 4, 2018 |work=Leader-Post |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035144/https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/not-so-great |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Jim |title=Does The Great One know about politics? |url=http://www.newskamloops.com/blog/post/does-the-great-one-know-about-politics |access-date=October 20, 2015 |work=Kamloops News |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035228/http://www.newskamloops.com/blog/post/does-the-great-one-know-about-politics |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodhand |first1=Margo |last2=Barnes |first2=Dan |last3=LeConte |first3=Julia |last4=Evans |first4=David |last5=Wittmeier |first5=Brent |last6=Kerr |first6=Kathy |title=Editorial: Gretzky endorsement of Harper a new political reality |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-gretzky-endorsement-of-harper-a-new-political-reality |access-date=October 4, 2018 |work=Edmonton Journal |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035207/https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-gretzky-endorsement-of-harper-a-new-political-reality |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Gretzky praised Harper at a fundraiser in Toronto, calling him "one of the greatest prime ministers ever".<ref name=harper/> In 2015, Gretzky endorsed ] during his successful campaign for the ] of the ].<ref name=harper/> In 2024, he and his family attended the victory party for ] during the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Wayne Gretzky, Elon Musk and a few pro golfers: Here's who attended Trump's victory party |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/wayne-gretzky-elon-musk-and-a-few-pro-golfers-here-s-who-attended-trump-s-victory-party-1.7101881 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>
!League

!GP
In 2014, Gretzky, who is of Ukrainian heritage, was invited by ] to speak at the United for Ukraine Gala fundraiser in Toronto in support of the country during its invasion by Russia. Following the ], Gretzky supported calls to ban Russian teams from international events as a consequence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2022 |title=Wayne Gretzky calls for Russia to be banned from rescheduled world juniors |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-calls-for-russia-to-be-banned-world-juniors-1.6366687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-27 |title=Wayne Gretzky and Dominik Hasek call for tough actions after Russia invades Ukraine - Forever Blueshirts |url=https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/wayne-gretzky-dominik-hasek-action-russia-invades-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=www.foreverblueshirts.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The following month, he shared a ceremonial puck-drop with a Ukrainian hockey player.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-13 |title=Gretzky, player from Ukraine share puck-drop ceremony at Heritage Classic |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gretzky-and-ukraine-player-share-puck-drop-at-heritage-classic-331789152 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref>
!]

!]
==Legacy==
!]
]]]
!]
{{see also|List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky}}
!]
] include a record nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hart Memorial Trophy winners |work=ESPN |date=June 24, 2015 |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlhart |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110090446/http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlhart |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1981 and 1994, he won the Art Ross Trophy, presented to the NHL's season points leader, 10 times.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art Ross Trophy winners |work=ESPN |date=June 13, 2016 |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlartross |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110161102/http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlartross |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky was named the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1985 and 1988, receiving the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Conn Smythe Trophy |publisher=National Hockey League |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24964 |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617123024/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24964 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, he earned the Lester B. Pearson Award (now ]) on five occasions; the award is given to the NHL's "most outstanding player", as determined by ] members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Award History |website=nhlpa.com |publisher=National Hockey League Players' Association |url=http://www.nhlpa.com/the-players/ted-lindsay-award/award-history |access-date=January 11, 2018|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104192417/http://www.nhlpa.com/the-players/ted-lindsay-award/award-history |archive-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> The ], awarded for sportsmanship and performance, was presented to Gretzky five times between 1980 and 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24938 |title=Lady Byng Memorial Trophy |access-date=December 13, 2011 |publisher=National Hockey League |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626141324/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24938 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky was inducted into the ] in 1999, and into the ] in 2000. He was an inaugural recipient of the ] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/awards/order-hockey-canada/honourees/wayne-gretzky|title=Wayne Gretzky–2012 Order of Hockey in Canada Honouree|year=2012|website=]|access-date=June 29, 2023|archive-date=June 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627215757/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/awards/order-hockey-canada/honourees/wayne-gretzky|url-status=live}}</ref>
!PP

!SH
The ] is presented by the ] to honour international individuals who have made major contributions to the growth and advancement of hockey in the United States.<ref name="USHHOF">{{cite web |url=https://www.ushockeyhalloffame.com/page/show/809127-wayne-gretzky-international-award |title=Wayne Gretzky International Award |website=ushockeyhalloffame.com |publisher=United States Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118201624/https://www.ushockeyhalloffame.com/page/show/809127-wayne-gretzky-international-award |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Emile Francis to receive Wayne Gretzky award |publisher=National Hockey League |date=September 14, 2015 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/emile-francis-to-receive-wayne-gretzky-award/c-779014 |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108094248/https://www.nhl.com/news/emile-francis-to-receive-wayne-gretzky-award/c-779014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ] is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Ken |title=Erie, McDavid Lose OHL Final As Junior Hockey Says Goodbye To An All-Time Great |magazine=The Hockey News |date=May 15, 2015 |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/erie-mcdavid-lose-ohl-final-as-junior-hockey-says-goodbye-to-an-all-time-great |access-date=September 29, 2016 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920155205/http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/erie-mcdavid-lose-ohl-final-as-junior-hockey-says-goodbye-to-an-all-time-great |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference.<ref>{{cite web |title=Storm Win Wayne Gretzky Trophy |website=ntariohockeyleague.com |publisher=Ontario Hockey League |date=April 25, 2014 |url=http://ontariohockeyleague.com/storm-win-wayne-gretzky-trophy/ |access-date=September 29, 2016 |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001200155/http://ontariohockeyleague.com/storm-win-wayne-gretzky-trophy/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Edmonton Minor Hockey Association also has an award named for Gretzky.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liewicki |first=Nathan |title=Young stars shine during Minor Hockey Week |work=Edmonton Journal |date=January 15, 2011 |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/young-stars-shine-during-minor-hockey-week |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024131405/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/young-stars-shine-during-minor-hockey-week |url-status=live }}</ref>
!GW

!GP
In May 2021, one of his 1979 ] hockey cards sold for $3.75&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |last=VanHaaren |first=Tom |title=Wayne Gretzky rookie card sells for $3.75 million, shatters record for hockey card |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31521805/wayne-gretzky-rookie-card-sells-375-million-shatters-record-hockey-card |work=ESPN |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601234131/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31521805/wayne-gretzky-rookie-card-sells-375-million-shatters-record-hockey-card |url-status=live }}</ref>
!G

!A
==Career statistics==
!Pts
===Regular season and playoffs===
!PIM
Figures in '''''boldface italics''''' are NHL records.
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3" style="background:#fff;"|
! rowspan="100" style="background:#fff;"|
! colspan="5"|]
! rowspan="100" style="background:#fff;"|
! colspan="5"|]
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! ]
! Team
! League
! GP !! ] !! ] !! ] !! ]
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|- |-
| 1975–76
|1975-76
|] | ]
|] | ]
| 28 || 27 || 33 || 60 || 7
|28
| — || — || — || — || —
|27
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|33
| 1976–77
|60
| ]
|7
| MetJHL
|&mdash;
| 32 || 36 || 36 || 72 || 35
|&mdash;
| 23 || 40 || 35 || 75 || —
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|1976-77
|Seneca Nationals
|MetJHL
|32
|36
|36
|72
|35
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|23
|40
|35
|75
|&mdash;
|- |-
|] | ]
|] | ]
|] | ]
| 3 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 0
|3
| — || — || — || — || —
|0
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|3
| ]
|3
| ]
|0
| OMJHL
|&mdash;
| 64 || 70 || 112 || 182 || 14
|&mdash;
| 13 || 6 || 20 || 26 || 0
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|]
|OHL
|64
|70
|112
|182
|14
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|- |-
|] | ]
|] | ]
|] | ]
| 8 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 0
|8
| — || — || — || — || —
|3
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|3
| 1978–79
|6
| ]
|0
| WHA
|&mdash;
| 72 || 43 || 61 || 104 || 19
|&mdash;
| 13 || 10 || 10 || 20 || 2
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|1978-79
|]
|WHA
|72
|43
|61
|104
|19
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|13
|10
|10
|20
|2
|- |-
|] | ]
|Edmonton&nbsp;Oilers | Edmonton Oilers
|] | ]
| 79 || 51 || 86 || 137 || 21
|79
| 3 || 2 || 1 || 3 || 0
|51
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|86
| ]
|137
| Edmonton Oilers
|21
| +15 | NHL
| 80 || 55 || 109 || 164 || 28
|13
| 9 || 7 || 14 || 21 || 4
|1
|6
|3
|2
|1
|3
|0
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Edmonton Oilers
|NHL
|80
|55
|109
|164
|28
| +41
|15
|4
|3
|9
|7
|14
|21
|4
|- |-
|] | ]
|Edmonton Oilers | Edmonton Oilers
|NHL | NHL
| 80 || '''''92''''' || 120 || 212 || 26
|80
| 5 || 5 || 7 || 12 || 8
|'''''92'''''
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|120
| ]
|212
| Edmonton Oilers
|26
| +81 | NHL
| 80 || 71 || 125 || 196 || 59
|18
| 16 || 12 || 26 || 38 || 4
|6
|12
|5
|5
|7
|12
|8
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Edmonton Oilers
|NHL
|80
|71
|125
|196
|59
| +60
|18
|6
|9
|16
|12
|26
|38
|4
|- |-
|] | ]
|Edmonton Oilers | Edmonton Oilers
|NHL | NHL
| 74 || 87 || 118 || 205 || 39
|74
| 19 || 13 || 22 || 35 || 12
|87
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|118
| ]
|205
| Edmonton Oilers
|39
| +76 | NHL
| 80 || 73 || 135 || 208 || 52
|20
| 18 || 17 || 30 || '''''47''''' || 4
|12
|11
|19
|13
|22
|35
|12
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Edmonton Oilers
|NHL
|80
|73
|135
|208
|52
| +98
|8
|11
|7
|18
|17
|30
|'''''47'''''
|4
|- |-
|] | ]
|Edmonton Oilers | Edmonton Oilers
|NHL | NHL
| 80 || 52 || '''''163''''' || '''''215''''' || 46
|80
| 10 || 8 || 11 || 19 || 2
|52
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|'''''163'''''
| ]
|'''''215'''''
| Edmonton Oilers
|46
| +71 | NHL
| 79 || 62 || 121 || 183 || 28
|11
| 21 || 5 || 29 || 34 || 6
|3
|6
|10
|8
|11
|19
|2
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Edmonton Oilers
|NHL
|79
|62
|121
|183
|28
| +70
|13
|7
|4
|21
|5
|29
|34
|6
|- |-
|] | ]
|Edmonton Oilers | Edmonton Oilers
|NHL | NHL
| 64 || 40 || 109 || 149 || 24
|64
| 19 || 12 || 31 || 43 || 16
|40
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|109
| ]
|149
| ]
|24
| +39 | NHL
| 78 || 54 || 114 || 168 || 26
|9
| 11 || 5 || 17 || 22 || 0
|5
|3
|19
|12
|'''''31'''''
|43
|16
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|]
|NHL
|78
|54
|114
|168
|26
| +15
|11
|5
|5
|11
|5
|17
|22
|0
|- |-
|] | ]
|Los Angeles Kings | Los Angeles Kings
|NHL | NHL
| 73 || 40 || 102 || 142 || 42
|73
| 7 || 3 || 7 || 10 || 0
|40
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|102
| ]
|142
| Los Angeles Kings
|42
| +8 | NHL
| 78 || 41 || 122 || 163 || 16
|10
| 12 || 4 || 11 || 15 || 2
|4
|4
|7
|3
|7
|10
|0
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Los Angeles Kings
|NHL
|78
|41
|122
|163
|16
| +30
|8
|0
|5
|12
|4
|11
|15
|2
|- |-
|] | ]
|Los Angeles Kings | Los Angeles Kings
|NHL | NHL
| 74 || 31 || 90 || 121 || 34
|74
| 6 || 2 || 5 || 7 || 2
|31
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|90
| ]
|121
| Los Angeles Kings
|34
| -12 | NHL
| 45 || 16 || 49 || 65 || 6
|12
| 24 || 15 || 25 || 40 || 4
|2
|2
|6
|2
|5
|7
|2
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Los Angeles Kings
|NHL
|45
|16
|49
|65
|6
| +6
|0
|2
|1
|24
|15
|25
|40
|4
|- |-
|] | ]
|Los Angeles Kings | Los Angeles Kings
|NHL | NHL
| 81 || 38 || 92 || 130 || 20
|81
| — || — || — || — || —
|38
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|92
| ]
|130
| Los Angeles Kings
|20
| -25 | NHL
| 48 || 11 || 37 || 48 || 6
|14
| — || — || — || — || —
|4
|0
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|Los Angeles Kings
|NHL
|48
|11
|37
|48
|6
| -20
|3
|0
|1
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|- |-
|] | ]
|Los Angeles Kings | Los Angeles Kings
|NHL | NHL
| 62 || 15 || 66 || 81 || 32
|62
| — || — || — || — || —
|15
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|66
| 1995–96
|81
| ]
|32
| -7 | NHL
| 18 || 8 || 13 || 21 || 2
|5
| 13 || 2 || 14 || 16 || 0
|0
|2
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|]
|NHL
|18
|8
|13
|21
|2
| -6
|1
|1
|1
|13
|2
|14
|16
|0
|- |-
|] | ]
|] | ]
|NHL | NHL
| 82 || 25 || 72 || 97 || 28
|82
| 15 || 10 || 10 || 20 || 2
|25
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
|72
| ]
|97
| New York Rangers
|28
| +12 | NHL
| 82 || 23 || 67 || 90 || 28
|6
| — || — || — || — || —
|0
|2
|15
|10
|10
|20
|2
|-style="background-color:#f0f0f0;"
|]
|New York Rangers
|NHL
|82
|23
|67
|90
|28
| -11
|6
|0
|4
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|- |-
|] | ]
|New York Rangers | New York Rangers
|NHL | NHL
| 70 || 9 || 53 || 62 || 14
|70
| — || — || — || — || —
|9
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
|53
! colspan="3" | WHA totals
|62
! 80 !! 46 !! 64 !! 110 !! 19
|14
! 13 !! 10 !! 10 !! 20 !! 2
| -23
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
|3
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
|0
! 1,487 !! ''894'' !! ''1,963'' !! ''2,857'' !! 577
|3
! 208 !! ''122'' !! ''260'' !! ''382'' !! 66
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|-style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"
!20 years
!Totals
!NHL
!1487
!''894''
!''1963''
!''2857''
!577
!+518
!204
!73
!91
!208
!''122''
!''260''
!''382''
!66
|} |}


==International play== ===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
Played for ] in:
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
*1978 ] (bronze medal)
*] (silver medal)
*1982 ] (bronze medal)
*] (gold medal)
*] (gold medal)
*] (gold medal)
*] (silver medal)
*] (failed to medal)

'''International statistics'''
{| BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="3" CELLSPACING="0"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Year
! Team ! Team
! Event ! Event
! ALIGN="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp; ! rowspan="102" style="background:#fff;"|
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
! GP
|-
! G
| ]
! A
| ]
! Pts
| ]
! PIM
| 6 || 8 || 9 || 17 || 2
|- ALIGN="center"
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 1978
| ]
| ]
| ]
| 7 || 5 || 7 || 12 || 2
|-
| ]
| Canada | Canada
| ] | ]
| 10 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 0
| 6
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 8
| ]
| 9
| 17
| 2
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1981
| Canada | Canada
| CC
| ]
| 8 || 5 || 7 || 12 || 2
| 7
| 5 |-
| ]
| 7
| 12
| 2
|- ALIGN="center"
| 1982
| Canada | Canada
| CC
| ]
| 9 || 3 || 18 || 21 || 2
| 10
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 6
| ]
| 8
| 14
| 0
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1984
| Canada | Canada
| CC
| ]
| 7 || 4 || 8 || 12 || 2
| 8
| 5 |-
| ]
| 7
| 12
| 2
|- ALIGN="center"
| 1987
| NHL All-Stars
| ]
| 2
| 0
| 4
| 4
| 0
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1987
| Canada | Canada
| ] | ]
| 8 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 2
| 9
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 3
| ]
| 18
| 21
| 2
|- ALIGN="center"
| 1991
| Canada | Canada
| ] | ]
| 6 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 2
| 7
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
| 4
! colspan="3"| Junior totals
| 8
! 6 !! 8 !! 9 !! 17 !! 2
| 12
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
| 2
! colspan="3"| Senior totals
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
! 55 !! 26 !! 56 !! 82 !! 12
| 1996
|}
| Canada

| ]
===All-Star games===
| 8
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
| 3
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
| 4
! Year
| 7
! Location
| 2
! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
|- ALIGN="center"
! G !! A !! Pts
| 1998
|-
| Canada
| ]
| ]
| ]
| 6
| 0 | 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 4
| ]
| 4
| ]
| 2
| 0 || 1 || 1
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|-
! colspan=3 | Int'l Totals
| ]
! 63
| ]
! 34
| 1 || 0 || 1
! 69
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
! 103
| ]
! 14
| ]
| 4 || 0 || 4
|-
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 2 || 3
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 2 || 3
|-
| ]
| ]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 0 || 2 || 2
|-
| ]
| ]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 0 || 1 || 1
|-
| ]
| ]
| 0 || 2 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| ]
| ]
| 1 || 2 || 3
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | 18 All-Star games<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Records - All Star Skater Registry |url=https://records.nhl.com/all-star/career-register |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref>
! 13 !! 12 !! 25
|}

===Head coaching record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; width:50em"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="6"|Regular season !! Postseason
|-
! G !! W !! L !! OTL !! Pts !! Finish !! Result
|-
! ] !! ]
| 82 || 38 || 39 || 5 || 81 || 5th in ] || Missed playoffs
|-
! Phoenix Coyotes !! ]
| 82 || 31 || 46 || 5 || 67 || 5th in Pacific || Missed playoffs
|-
! Phoenix Coyotes !! ]
| 82 || 38 || 37 || 7 || 83 || 4th in Pacific || Missed playoffs
|-
! Phoenix Coyotes !! ]
| 82 || 36 || 39 || 7 || 79 || 4th in Pacific || Missed playoffs
|-
! colspan="2"|Total !! 328 !! 143 !! 161 !! 24 !! &nbsp; !! &nbsp; !! &nbsp;
|} |}
'''Source:'''<ref name="NHLstats"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=2035 |title=Wayne Gretzky's profile |access-date=May 5, 2008 |website=hockeyDB.com |archive-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423085505/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=2035 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Ice hockey|Canada}}
*]
*] * ]
{{clear}}
*]
*]
*]


==Notes== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==References== ==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|30em}}
*Wayne Gretzky with ] (1990). ''Gretzky: An Autobiography.'' An Edward Burlingame Book. ISBN 0-06-016339-9
* {{cite book |last=Blevins |first=Dave |year=2012 |title=The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Volume 1 |location=Lanham, Maryland |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6130-5}}
*Wayne Gretzky, John Davidson, and Dan Diamond. ''99: My Life in Pictures''. ISBN 0-920445-67-5
* {{cite book |last=Cole |first=Stephen |title=The Best of Hockey Night in Canada |year=2004 |publisher=McArthur & Company |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-55278-408-2}}
*, ''Canadian Online Explorer: SLAM! Sports.''
* {{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Reyn |chapter=WHA Teen Sensation |pages=51–52 |year=1999 | editor-last=Dryden | editor-first=Steve |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Inc. |location=Toronto}}
*, ''Wayne Gretzky Stats, Biography, Career Milestones and Quotes''
* {{cite book |last=Dryden |first=Ken |author-link=Ken Dryden |title=The Game |date=2013 |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1443427920}}
* on
* {{cite book |last=Dryden |first=Steve |title=The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time |date=1998 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4175-4|editor-first=Steve|editor-last=Dryden |chapter=No Higher Level}}
* {{Cite book |last=Duplacey |first=James |year=2000 |title=The Official Rules of Hockey: An Anecdotal Look at the Rules of Hockey—and How They Came to Be |publisher=Globe Pequot |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58574-052-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/officialrulesofh00dupl}}
* {{cite book |last=Gretzky |first=Walter |title=On Family, Hockey and Healing |year=2001 |publisher=Random House Canada |isbn=978-0-679-31114-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/waltergretzkyonf00gret}}
* {{cite book |last=Gretzky |first=Wayne |chapter=Foreword |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time |date=1998 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4175-4}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Gretzky |first1=Wayne |last2=Reilly |first2=Rick |year=1990 |title=Gretzky: An Autobiography |publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York |isbn=978-0-06-016339-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/gretzkyautobiogr00gret}}
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Diamond |editor-first=Dan |last1=Gretzky |first1=Wayne |last2=Davidson |first2=John |title=99: My Life in Pictures |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-920445-67-9 |publisher=Total Sports Canada |location=Toronto, Ontario |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/99mylifeinpictur0000gret}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gzowski |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Gzowski | editor-first = Edna | editor-last = Barker |year=2001 |title=A Peter Gzowski Reader |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-7710-3695-8 | url-access = registration |url=https://archive.org/details/petergzowskiread0000gzow}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gzowski |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Gzowski |year=2004 |title=The game of our lives |publisher=Heritage House Publishing Ltd. |location=Surrey, BC, Canada |isbn=978-1-894384-59-9}}
* {{cite book |title=Champions: The Illustrated History of Hockey's Greatest Dynasties |last=Hunter |first=Douglas |year=1997 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago |isbn=978-1-57243-213-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ireland |first=Joanne |title=100 Things Oilers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die |year=2017 |publisher=Triumph Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DxpSDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT118 |location=Chicago |isbn=978-1-63319-902-6}} (Unpaginated version consulted online via ])
* {{cite book |last=Jenish |first=D'Arcy |title=The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=978-0-385-66325-0 |year=2009}}
* {{Cite book |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |chapter=Fortune Smiled Upon Us |pages=14–36 |year=1999 | editor-last=Dryden | editor-first=Steve |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Inc. |location=Toronto, Ontario}}
* {{cite book |last=Morrison |first=Scott |title=Hockey Night in Canada: My Greatest Day |year=2008 |publisher=Key Porter Books |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-55470-086-8 |author-link=Scott Morrison (journalist) |url=https://archive.org/details/mygreatestday50p0000morr}}
* {{Cite book |last=Potvin |first=Denis |chapter=You Can't Hit What You Can't Find |pages=89–91 |year=1999 | editor-last=Dryden | editor-first=Steve |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario}}
* {{Cite book |last=Redmond |first=Gerald |title=Wayne Gretzky: The Great One |year=1993 |publisher=ECW Press |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-1-55022-190-9}}
* {{Cite book |last=Surgent |first=Scott |title=The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference to the World Hockey Association: 1972–1979 |isbn=978-0-9644774-4-5 |publisher=Xaler Press |year=2004}}
* {{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Jim |title=Wayne Gretzky: The authorized pictorial biography |year=1994 |publisher=Opus Productions |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |isbn=978-1-55110-263-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/waynegretzkyauth0000tayl}}
* {{Cite book |last=Weekes |first=Don |title=The Great Gretzky Trivia Book |year=1999 |publisher=Greystone Books |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |isbn=978-1-55054-752-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/greatgretzkytriv0000week}}
* {{Cite book |last=Willes |first=Ed |title=The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association |year=2004 |publisher=McClelland and Stewart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FHMWR63PYTIC&pg=PP1 |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-8947-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Willes |first=Ed |title=Gretzky to Lemieux: The Story of the 1987 Canada Cup |year=2007 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-7710-8942-8}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Brunt |first=Stephen |year=2010 |title=Gretzky's Tears: Hockey, Canada, and the Day Everything Changed |publisher=Vintage Canada |isbn=978-0-307-39730-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Doeden |first=Matt |year=2008 |title=Wayne Gretzky |url=https://archive.org/details/waynegretzky0000doed_n1k3|url-access = registration |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |isbn=978-0-8225-7165-0}}
{{refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{commons|Wayne Gretzky}}
* {{icehockeystats|legendsm=P199901}}<!--- as of 2022, HHOF/legends does not use wikidata --->
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
*
* *
* {{IMDb name}}
*
*
*
* {{Discogs artist}}
*
* Gretzky's physical qualities and abilities.
*{{hockeydb|2035}}
*
*
*


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Latest revision as of 15:56, 8 January 2025

Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1961) "Gretzky" redirects here. For other people with the same name and other uses, see Gretzky (disambiguation).

Ice hockey player
Wayne Gretzky
CC
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1999
Middle-aged man with brown-grey hair wearing a dark blue jacket and a light blue dress shirtGretzky in June 2019
Born (1961-01-26) January 26, 1961 (age 63)
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for
Coached for Phoenix Coyotes
National team  Canada
Playing career 1978–1999
Coaching career 2005–2009
Website Official website
This article is part of
a series aboutWayne Gretzky

Former professional ice hockey player


Awards


Video games

Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC (/ˈɡrɛtski/ GRET-skee; 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 ice hockey player ever by the NHL based on surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches. Gretzky is the leading career goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in NHL history, and has more career assists than any other player has total points. He is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times. In addition, Gretzky tallied over 100 points in 15 professional seasons. 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.

Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky honed his skills on a backyard rink and regularly played minor hockey at a level far above his peers. Despite his unimpressive size and strength, Gretzky's intelligence, stamina, and reading of the game were unrivaled. He was adept at dodging checks from opposing players, consistently anticipated where the puck was going to be, and executed the right move at the right time. Gretzky became known for setting up behind his opponent's net, an area that was nicknamed "Gretzky's office".

Gretzky was the top scorer in the 1978 World Junior Championships. In June 1978, he signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA), where he briefly played before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. When the WHA folded, the Oilers joined the NHL, where he established many scoring records and led his team to four Stanley Cup championships. Gretzky's trade to the Los Angeles Kings on August 9, 1988, had an immediate impact on that team's performance, ultimately leading them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, and he is credited with popularizing hockey in California. Gretzky played briefly for the St. Louis Blues before finishing his career with the New York Rangers. Gretzky captured nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player, 10 Art Ross Trophies for most points in a season, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP and five Lester B. Pearson Awards (now the Ted Lindsay Award) for most outstanding player as judged by his peers. He led the league in goal-scoring five times and assists 16 times. He also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and performance five times and often spoke out against fighting in hockey.

After his retirement in 1999, Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, making him the most recent player to have the waiting period waived. The NHL retired his jersey number 99 league-wide. Gretzky was one of six players voted to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) Centennial All-Star Team. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000, and received the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2012. Gretzky became executive director for the Canadian national men's hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics, in which the team won a gold medal. In 2000, he became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, and following the 2004–05 NHL lock-out, he became the team's head coach. In 2004, Gretzky was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. In September 2009, following the Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy, Gretzky resigned as head coach and relinquished his ownership share. In October 2016, he returned to the Oilers as a minority partner and vice-chairman of their parent company, Oilers Entertainment Group. He left in 2021 to become an analyst on Turner Sports' NHL coverage.

Early life

Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, the son of Phyllis Leone (Hockin) and Walter Gretzky. The couple married in 1960, and lived in an apartment in Brantford, where Walter worked for Bell Telephone Canada. The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat enough to make an ice rink. Wayne had a sister, Kim (born 1963), and brothers Keith, Glen and Brent. The family regularly visited the farm of Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, and watched Hockey Night in Canada together. By age two, Wayne was trying to score goals against Mary using a souvenir stick. The farm was where Wayne skated on ice for the first time, aged two years, 10 months.

A small pair of ice skates, meant for a small child. The boot is leather and is missing its laces, while the blade is deteriorating and showing significant wear due to age.
Gretzky's first pair of skates at the Hockey Hall of Fame, worn when he was three years old

Walter taught Wayne, Keith, Brent, Glen, and their friends hockey on a rink he made in the backyard of the family home, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum". Drills included skating around bleach bottles and tin cans and flipping pucks over scattered hockey sticks to be able to pick up the puck again in full flight. Walter gave the advice to "skate where the puck's going, not where it's been". Wayne was a classic prodigy whose extraordinary skills made him the target of other children's jealous parents.

The team Gretzky played on at age six was otherwise composed of 10-year-olds. His first coach, Dick Martin, remarked that he handled the puck better than the 10-year-olds. According to Martin, "Wayne was so good that you could have a boy of your own who was a tremendous hockey player, and he'd get overlooked because of what the Gretzky kid was doing." The sweaters for 10-year-olds were far too large for Gretzky, who coped by tucking the sweater into his pants on the right side. Gretzky continued doing this throughout his NHL career.

By age 10, Gretzky had scored an astonishing 378 goals and 139 assists in just one season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers. His play attracted media attention beyond Brantford, including a profile by John Iaboni in the Toronto Telegram in October 1971. In the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, Gretzky scored 26 points playing for Brantford. By age 13, he had scored over 1,000 goals.

His play attracted considerable negative attention from other players' parents, including those of his teammates, and he was often booed. According to Walter, the "capper" was being booed on "Brantford Day" at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens in February 1975. When Gretzky was 14, his family arranged for him to move to and play hockey in Toronto, partly to further his career, and partly to remove him from the uncomfortable pressure. The Gretzkys had to legally challenge the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association to win Wayne the right to play in a different area, which was disallowed at the time. The Gretzkys won, and Wayne played Junior B hockey with the Toronto Nationals, in a league that included 20-year-olds. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in the Metro Junior B Hockey League in 1975–76, with 60 points in 28 games. The following year, as a 15–16-year-old, he had 72 points in 32 games with the same team, renamed the Seneca Nationals. Despite his offensive statistics—scoring 132 points in 60 games in Junior B—two teams bypassed him in the 1977 Ontario Major Junior Hockey League draft of 16-year-olds. The Oshawa Generals picked Tom McCarthy first, and the Niagara Falls Flyers picked Steve Peters second overall. With the third pick, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected Gretzky, even though Walter Gretzky had told the team Wayne would not move to Sault Ste. Marie, a northern Ontario city that inflicts a heavy travelling schedule on its junior team. The Gretzkys made an arrangement with a local family they knew and Wayne played for the Greyhounds, at age 16. It was with the Greyhounds that Gretzky first wore the number 99 on his jersey. He originally wanted to wear number 9—for his hockey hero Gordie Howe—but it was already being worn by teammate Brian Gualazzi. At coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.

World Hockey Association

By 1978, the World Hockey Association, which had competed with the established NHL since 1972, was struggling. The league, which at one point iced fourteen teams, was down to seven surviving franchises. The WHA had long sought to arrange a merger with the NHL but were constantly rebuffed by a group of hardline owners in the older league. With the WHA's long-term survival in doubt, Birmingham Bulls owner John F. Bassett believed the only way to gain meaningful leverage over the NHL was to sign as many young and promising superstars as possible. The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20, but the WHA had no such rules. Bassett saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect. Several WHA teams courted Gretzky, notably the Bulls and the Indianapolis Racers.

Ultimately, it was Racers owner Nelson Skalbania who, on June 12, 1978, signed 17-year-old Gretzky to a seven-year personal services contract worth US$1.75 million. Skalbania opted to have Gretzky sign a personal-services contract rather than a standard player contract in part because by that point it was well known that a majority of NHL owners, if not yet the ¾ required to add new NHL franchises, were willing to absorb at least some WHA teams. While Skalbania knew it was unlikely the Racers would be one of these teams (in part because the WHA insisted that all of its surviving Canadian teams be included), he still 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.

Gretzky scored his first professional goal against Dave Dryden of the Edmonton Oilers in his fifth game, and his second goal four seconds later. However, he played only eight games for Indianapolis. The Racers were losing $40,000 per game. Skalbania told Gretzky he would be moved, offering him a choice between the Edmonton Oilers and the Winnipeg Jets. On the advice of his agent, Gretzky picked the Oilers, but the move was not that simple. On November 2, Gretzky, goaltender Eddie Mio, and forward Peter Driscoll were put on a private plane, not knowing where they would land and what team they would be joining. While in the air, Skalbania worked on the deal. Skalbania offered to play a game of backgammon with Winnipeg owner Michael Gobuty, the stakes being if Gobuty won, he would get Gretzky and if he lost, he had to give Skalbania a share of the Jets. Gobuty turned down the proposal and the players landed in Edmonton. Mio paid the $4,000 bill for the flight. Skalbania sold Gretzky, Mio and Driscoll to Oilers owner Peter Pocklington, a former business partner. Although the announced price was $850,000, Pocklington paid $700,000. The money was not enough to keep the Racers alive; they folded that December.

One of the highlights of Gretzky's season was his appearance in the 1979 WHA All-Star Game. The format was a three-game series between the WHA All-Stars and Dynamo Moscow played at Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum. The WHA All-Stars were coached by Jacques Demers, who put Gretzky on a line with his boyhood idol Gordie Howe and Howe's son, Mark. In game one, the line scored seven points, and the WHA All-Stars won by a score of 4–2. In game two, Gretzky and Mark Howe each scored a goal and Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the WHA won 4–2. The line did not score in the final game, but the WHA won by a score of 4–3.

On Gretzky's 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 10-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history at the time) worth C$3 million, with options for 10 more years. Gretzky finished third in the league in scoring at 110 points, behind Robbie Ftorek and Réal Cloutier. Gretzky captured the Lou Kaplan Trophy as rookie of the year, and helped the Oilers to first place in the league.

By the end of the regular season, the signings of Gretzky and other young stars in addition to other factors had compelled enough of the hardline NHL owners to change their positions, and an agreement (recognized as the 1979 expansion by the NHL) was finalized. Under the agreement, the WHA agreed to fold after the 1979 season with the Oilers and three other teams (the Hartford (New England) Whalers, the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets) joining the older league as expansion franchises. The Oilers, like the other three teams, were to be allowed to protect two goaltenders and two skaters from being reclaimed by the established NHL teams in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft. The NHL also lowered its minimum age, ensuring players such as Gretzky would not need to return to the junior level, albeit with the caveat that such previously underaged players were supposed to be placed into the 1979 NHL Entry Draft pool. Nevertheless, to avoid any potential for litigation over the validity of Gretzky's personal services contract the Oilers were allowed to keep him on their roster as one of their priority selections. In exchange for agreeing to keep Gretzky off the draft board, the NHL placed Edmonton at the bottom of the draft order.

The WHA completed the playoffs of its final season as planned. The Oilers reached the Avco World Trophy finals (the only WHA championship series appearance for the franchise), where they lost to the Winnipeg Jets in six games.

NHL career

Edmonton Oilers (1979–1988)

Gretzky's success in the WHA carried over into the NHL, despite some critics suggesting he would struggle in what was considered the bigger, tougher, and more talented league.

A statue, located outside Rogers Place in Edmonton, of Gretzky hoisting the Stanley Cup, which the Oilers won four times with him. Sculpted by John Weaver.

In his first NHL season, 1979–80, Gretzky was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player (the first of eight in a row) and tied for the scoring lead with Marcel Dionne with 137 points. Although Gretzky played 79 games to Dionne's 80, Dionne was awarded the Art Ross Trophy because he had scored more goals (53 to 51). The season still stands as the highest point total by a first-year player in NHL history. 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 WHA experience. The Calder was instead awarded to Boston Bruins defenceman Ray Bourque.

In his second season, Gretzky won the Art Ross (the first of seven consecutive) 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. In the first game of the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs, against the Montreal Canadiens, Gretzky had five assists, a single game playoff record.

During the 1981–82 season, Gretzky surpassed a record that had stood for 35 years: 50 goals in 50 games, first 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 three to help defeat 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 only player in NHL history to break the two hundred-point mark. 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 1982 "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated. The Canadian Press also named Gretzky Newsmaker of the Year in 1982.

The following seasons saw Gretzky break his assists record three more times (125 in 1982–83, 135 in 1984–85 and 163 in 1985–86); he also bettered that mark (120 assists) in 1986–87 with 121 and 1990–91 with 122, and his point record one more time (215, in 1985–86). By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49 NHL records.

The Edmonton Oilers finished first overall in their last WHA regular season. The same success was not immediate when they joined the NHL, but within four seasons, the Oilers were competing for the Stanley Cup. The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring, in addition to Gretzky, future Hall of Famers including forwards Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri; defenceman Paul Coffey; and goaltender Grant Fuhr. Gretzky was its captain from 1983 to 1988. 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 and 7 months—and two Governors General—before he could accept the honour. He was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2009 "for his continued contributions to the world of hockey, notably as one of the best players of all time, as well as for his social engagement as a philanthropist, volunteer and role model for countless young people". Five times between 1981–82 and 1986–87, Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored. The Oilers also won the Stanley Cup with Gretzky three additional times: in 1985, 1987 and 1988.

When the Oilers joined the NHL, Gretzky continued to play under his personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31 million loan with the Alberta Treasury Branches. Amid growing concern around the NHL that a financial institution might be able to lay claim to Gretzky's rights in the event the heavily leveraged Pocklington were to declare bankruptcy, as well as growing dissatisfaction on the part of Gretzky and his advisers, in 1987, Gretzky and Pocklington agreed to replace the personal services contract with a standard NHL contract.

The Gretzky rule

In June 1985, as part of a package of five rule changes to be implemented for the 1985–86 season, the NHL Board of Governors decided to introduce offsetting penalties, where neither team lost a man when coincidental penalties were called. The effect of calling offsetting penalties was felt immediately in the NHL because during the early 1980s, when the Gretzky-era Oilers entered a four-on-four or three-on-three situation with an opponent, they frequently used the space on the ice to score one or more goals. A few days later, during a press conference the day after being awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, Gretzky criticized the NHL for punishing teams and players who previously benefited. The rule change became known as "the Gretzky rule". The rule was reversed for the 1992–93 season, by which time a majority of the players from the all-time powerhouse Edmonton Oilers (the 1984–85 Oilers team, the one most directly impacted by the June 1985 rule change, was later voted the greatest NHL team ever, as part of the NHL's centennial celebrations) had changed teams or retired from hockey.

Strategy and effect on NHL play

Gretzky had a major influence on the style of play of the Edmonton Oilers and the NHL as a whole, helping to inspire a more team-based strategy. Using this approach, the Oilers, led by Gretzky, became the highest-scoring team in NHL history.

"He was, I think, the first Canadian forward to play a true team game", said hockey writer and former NHL goaltender Ken Dryden. The focus of the game before Gretzky's arrival, he said, especially among the Canadian teams, was on the player with the puck—getting the puck to a star player who would make the big play.

Gretzky reversed that. He knew he wasn't big enough, strong enough, or even fast enough to do what he wanted to do if others focused on him. Like a magician, he had to direct attention elsewhere, to his four teammates on the ice with him, to create a momentary distraction to move unnoticed into the open ice where size and strength didn't matter. ... Gretzky made his opponents compete with five players, not one, and he made his teammates full partners in the game. He made them skate to his level and pass and finish up to his level or they would be embarrassed.

Between 1982 and 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, when no previous team had scored 400, and Gretzky on his own had averaged 207 points when no player before had scored more than 152 in one year. Dryden wrote in his book The Game, "In the past, defenders and teams had learned to devise strategies to stop opponents with the puck. To stop them without it, that was interference. But now, if players without the puck skated just as hard as those with it, but faster, and dodged and darted to open ice just as determinedly, but more effectively, how did you shut them down?"

In this, Gretzky added his considerable influence as the preeminent NHL star of his day to that of the Soviets, who had also developed a more team style of play and had successfully used it against the best NHL teams, beginning in the 1972 Summit Series. "The Soviets and Gretzky changed the NHL game", says Dryden. "Gretzky, the kid from Brantford with the Belarusian name, was the acceptable face of Soviet hockey. No Canadian kid wanted to play like Makarov or Larionov. They all wanted to play like Gretzky."

At the same time, Gretzky recognized the contributions of their coach in the success of the Oilers: "Under the guidance of Glen Sather, our Oiler teams became adept at generating speed, developing finesse, and learning a transition game with strong European influences."

Gretzky explains his style of play further:

People think that to be a good player you have to pick the puck up, deke around ninety-three guys, and take this ungodly slap shot. No. Let the puck do all the moving and you get yourself in the right place. I don't care if you're Carl Lewis, you can't out skate that little black thing. Just move the puck: give it up, get it back, give it up. It's like Larry Bird. The hardest work he does is getting open. The jump shot is cake. That's all hockey is open ice. That's my whole strategy: Find Open Ice. Chicago coach Mike Keenan said it best: "There's a spot on the ice that's no-man's land, and all the good goal scorers find it." It's a piece of frozen real estate that's just in between the defense and the forward.

"The Trade"

"The Trade" redirects here. For the Nigerian crime drama film, see The Trade (film).

Two hours after the Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1988, Gretzky learned from his father that the Oilers were planning to deal him to another team. Walter Gretzky had known for months after having been tipped off by Skalbania, but kept the news from Wayne so as not to upset him. According to Walter, Wayne was being "shopped" to Los Angeles, Detroit, and Vancouver, and Pocklington needed money as his other business ventures were not doing well. At first, Gretzky did not want to leave Edmonton, but he received a call while on his honeymoon from Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall, who asked permission to meet and discuss the deal. Gretzky informed McNall that his prerequisites for a deal to take place were that Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski join him as teammates in Los Angeles. Both McNall and Pocklington quickly agreed. After the details of the trade were finalized by the two owners, one final condition had to be met: Gretzky had to call Pocklington and request a trade. When Pocklington told Oilers general manager and head coach Sather about his plans to trade Gretzky to Los Angeles, Sather tried to stop the deal, but when he found out that Gretzky had been involved in the negotiations, he changed his attitude and requested Luc Robitaille in exchange. The Kings refused, instead offering Jimmy Carson.

On August 9, 1988, in a move that heralded significant change in the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky (along with McSorley and Krushelnyski) to the rival Kings for Carson, Martin Gélinas, $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989 (later traded to the New Jersey Devils, who used it to select Jason Miller), 1991, (used to select Martin Ručinský), and 1993, (used to select Nick Stajduhar). "The Trade", as it came to be known, upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party House Leader Nelson Riis demanded the government block it, and Pocklington was burned in effigy outside Northlands Coliseum.

In Gretzky's first appearance in Edmonton after the trade, a game nationally televised in Canada, he received a four-minute standing ovation. The arena was sold out, and the attendance of 17,503 was the Oilers' biggest crowd ever to that date. Large cheers erupted for his first shift, his first touch of the puck, his two assists, and Mark Messier's body check of Gretzky into the boards. After the game, Gretzky took the opportunity to confirm his patriotism: "I'm still proud to be a Canadian. I didn't desert my country. I moved because I was traded and that's where my job is. But I'm Canadian to the core. I hope Canadians understand that." After the 1988–89 season, a life-sized bronze statue of Gretzky was erected outside Northlands Coliseum, holding the Stanley Cup over his head.

Los Angeles Kings (1988–1996)

Statue of Gretzky outside Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Kings. Gretzky played with the Kings from 1988 to 1996.

The Kings named Gretzky their alternate captain. He made an immediate impact on the ice, scoring on his first shot on goal in the first regular season game. The Kings got off to their best start ever, winning four straight en route to qualifying for the playoffs. For only the second time in his NHL career, Gretzky finished second in scoring, but narrowly edged the Pittsburgh Penguins' Mario Lemieux (who scored 199 points) for the Hart Trophy as MVP.

Despite being underdogs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division semifinals, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad, spearheading the Kings' return from a 3–1 series deficit to win the series 4–3. He was nervous Edmonton would greet him with boos, but they were eagerly waiting for him. The Kings were then swept by the Calgary Flames, who went on to win their first Stanley Cup.

In 1990, the Associated Press named Gretzky Male Athlete of the Decade. For the second year in a row, the Kings eliminated the defending champions in the first round when they defeated the Flames in six games, but also for the second year in a row their season ended in a second round sweep, this time at the hands of Gretzky's former team. The Oilers went on to win their fifth Cup (and first without Gretzky). In his post-championship interview, Messier (who had replaced Gretzky as Edmonton's captain following the trade) dedicated the Oilers' Cup win to him.

Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles saw a marked increase in attendance and fan interest in a city not previously known for following hockey. The Kings now boasted of numerous sellouts. Many credit Gretzky's arrival with putting non-traditional American hockey markets on "the NHL map"; not only did California receive two more NHL franchises (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and San Jose Sharks) during Gretzky's tenure in Los Angeles, 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.

Gretzky was sidelined for much of the 1992–93 regular season with a back injury (he returned on January 6, 1993, which was also his 1,000th NHL game), and his 65-point output ended a record 13-year streak in which he recorded at least 100 points each season. However, he performed well in the playoffs, notably when he scored a hat trick in game seven of the Campbell Conference Finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. After winning the first game of the series by a score of 4–1, the team lost the next three games in overtime, and then fell 4–1 in the deciding fifth game, where Gretzky failed to get a shot on net.

The next season, Gretzky broke Gordie Howe's career goal-scoring record of 801, and won the scoring title, but the team began a long slide, and despite numerous player and coaching moves, they failed to qualify for the playoffs again until 1998. After the financially troubled McNall was forced to sell the Kings in 1994, Gretzky's relationship with the Kings' new owners grew strained. Under both McNall and the new ownership group, the team was fiscally unstable, to the point that paychecks to players bounced. Finally, in early 1996, Gretzky requested a trade. During the 1994–95 NHL lock-out, Gretzky and some friends (including Mark Messier, Marty McSorley, Brett Hull and Steve Yzerman) formed the Ninety Nine All Stars Tour and played eight exhibition games in various countries.

St. Louis Blues (1996)

On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the St. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson and two draft picks (Peter Hogan and Matt Zultek). He partially orchestrated the trade after reports surfaced that he was unhappy in Los Angeles. At the time of the trade, the Blues and New York Rangers emerged as front-runners, but the Blues met his salary demands. Gretzky was immediately named the team's captain. He scored 37 points in 31 games for the team in the regular season and the playoffs, and the Blues came within one game of the Conference Finals.

However, the chemistry everyone expected with winger Brett Hull never developed. Gretzky was also forced to endure public criticism from his head coach for the first time in his career. Long before either he or Gretzky joined the Blues, Mike Keenan had refused to moderate his coaching style even while coaching Gretzky with Team Canada during international tournaments. Gretzky's professional relationship with Keenan was thus never particularly warm, and the coach's public rebukes effectively ended any realistic prospect of Gretzky remaining in St. Louis once he became a free agent. Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15 million with the Blues, and on July 21, signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier (and former Kings teammate Luc Robitaille) for a two-year, $8 million (plus incentives) contract.

New York Rangers (1996–1999)

Gretzky with the New York Rangers in 1997

Gretzky ended his professional playing career with the New York Rangers, where he played his final three seasons and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997. The Rangers were defeated in the Conference Finals in five games by the Philadelphia Flyers, despite Gretzky leading the Rangers in the playoffs with 10 goals and 10 assists. For the first time in his NHL career, Gretzky was not named captain, except for a brief period as acting captain in 1998 when captain Brian Leetch was injured and out of the line-up. After the 1996–97 season, Mark Messier signed a free agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks, ending the brief reunion of Messier and Gretzky after just one season. The 1997 playoff run was Gretzky's last as a player, and Rangers did not return to the playoffs until 2006, well after Gretzky retired. Along with Jaromir Jagr, he topped the NHL in 1997–98 with 67 assists. It was the 16th time in 19 seasons that Gretzky earned at least a share of the league lead in the statistic.

In 1997, before 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. Gretzky said he would have voted Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe as the best of all time.

The 1998–99 season was his last as a professional player. He reached one milestone in this last season, breaking the professional total (regular season and playoffs) goal-scoring record of 1,071, which Gordie Howe had held. Gretzky was having difficulty scoring this season and finished with only nine goals, contributing to this being the only season in which he failed to average at least a point per game, but his last goal brought his scoring total for his combined NHL/WHA career to 1,072, one more than Howe. 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 Canada was on April 15, 1999, a 2–2 tie with the Ottawa Senators and the Rangers' second-to-last game of the season. Following the contest, in a departure from the usual three stars announcement, Gretzky was awarded all three stars. Upon returning to New York, Gretzky announced he would retire after the Rangers' last game of the season.

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. Although the game involved two American teams, both national anthems were played, with the lyrics slightly adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure. In place of the lyrics "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", Bryan Adams ad-libbed, "We're going to miss you, Wayne Gretzky". "The Star-Spangled Banner", as sung by John Amirante, was altered to include the words "in the land of Wayne Gretzky". Gretzky ended his career with a final point, assisting on the lone New York goal scored by Brian Leetch. At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second-to-last WHA player still active in professional hockey. Mark Messier, who attended the game along with other representatives of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, was the last.

International play


Team Canada sweater worn by Gretzky during the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 1996 Canada
Canada Cup
Gold medal – first place 1991 Canada
Gold medal – first place 1987 Canada
Gold medal – first place 1984 Canada
Silver medal – second place 1981 Canada
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1982 Finland
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1978 Canada

Gretzky made his first international appearance as a member of the Canadian national junior team at the 1978 World Junior Championships in Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian coach, Punch McLean, was originally skeptical of Gretzky's ability as he was the youngest player to compete in the tournament at the age of 16. He went on to lead the tournament in scoring with 17 points to earn All-Star Team and Best Forward honours. His 17 points remain the most scored by a 16-year-old in the World Junior Championships. Canada finished with the bronze medal.

Gretzky debuted with the Canadian national team at the 1981 Canada Cup. He led the tournament in scoring with 12 points en route to a second-place finish to the Soviet Union, losing 8–1 in the final. Seven months later, Gretzky joined Team Canada for the 1982 World Championships in Finland. He notched 14 points in 10 games, including a two-goal, two-assist effort in Canada's final game against Sweden to earn the bronze. Gretzky did not win his first international competition until the 1984 Canada Cup, when Canada defeated Sweden in a best-of-three finals. He led the tournament in scoring for the second consecutive time and was named to the All-Star Team.

Gretzky's international career highlight arguably came three years later at the 1987 Canada Cup. Gretzky has called the tournament the best hockey he has played in his life. Playing on a line with Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Mario Lemieux, he recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games. After losing the first game of a best-of-three final series against the Soviets, Gretzky propelled Canada with a five-assist performance in the second game, including the game-winning pass to Lemieux in overtime, to extend the tournament. In the deciding game three, Gretzky and Lemieux once again combined for the game-winner. With the score tied 5–5 and 1:26 minutes to go in regulation, Lemieux one-timed a pass from Gretzky on a 3-on-1 with defenceman Larry Murphy. Lemieux scored to win the tournament for Canada; the play is widely regarded as one of the most memorable plays in Canadian international competition.

The 1991 Canada Cup marked the last time the tournament was played under the "Canada Cup" moniker. Gretzky led the tournament for the fourth and final time with 12 points in seven games. He did not, however, compete in the final against the United States due to a back injury. Canada nevertheless won in two games by scores of 4–1 and 4–2. Five years later, the tournament was revived and renamed the World Cup in 1996. It marked the first time Gretzky did not finish as the tournament's leading scorer; his seven points in eight games placed him fourth overall.

Leading up to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, it was announced that NHL players would be eligible to play for the first time. Gretzky was named to the club on November 29, 1997. However, Gretzky was passed over for the captaincy, along with several other Canadian veterans including Steve Yzerman and Ray Bourque in favour of the younger Eric Lindros. Expectations were high for the Canadian team, but the team lost to the Czech Republic in the semi-finals. The game went to a shootout with a 1–1 tie after overtime, but Gretzky was controversially not selected by coach Marc Crawford as one of the five shooters, all of whom failed to score. Team Canada then lost the bronze medal game 3–2 to Finland to finish without a medal. The Olympics marked Gretzky's eighth and final international appearance, finishing with four assists in six games. He retired from international play holding the records for most goals (20), most assists (28), and most overall points (48) in best-on-best hockey.

Skills and influences

Style of play

Gretzky in 1997

Gretzky's size and strength were unimpressive—in fact, far below average for the NHL—but he is widely considered the smartest player in the history of the game. His reading of the game and his ability to improvise on the fly were unrivaled, and he could consistently anticipate where the puck was going to be and execute the right move at the right time. His coach at the Edmonton Oilers, Glen Sather, said, "He was so much more intelligent. While they were using all this energy trying to rattle his teeth, he was just skating away, circling, analyzing things."

He was also considered one of the most creative players in hockey. "You never knew what he was going to do", said hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov. "He was improvising all the time. Every time he took the ice, there was some spontaneous decision he would make. That's what made him such a phenomenal player." Gretzky's ability to improvise came into the spotlight at the 1998 Olympics in Japan. Then an older player in the sunset of his career, he had been passed over for the captaincy of the team. But as the series continued, his unique skills made him a team leader.

The Canadians had trouble with the big ice. They had trouble with the European patterns and the lateral play and the endless, inventive cycling. ... Slowly, as game after game went by and the concern continued to rise, Wayne Gretzky began climbing through the line-up. He, almost alone among the Canadians, seemed to take to the larger ice surface as if it offered more opportunity instead of obligation ... His playing time soared, as he was being sent on not just for power plays but double shifts and even penalty kills. By the final round ... it was Wayne Gretzky who assumed the leadership both on and off the ice.

He passed and shot with prodigious skill. Hall of Fame defenceman Bobby Orr said of Gretzky, "He passes better than anybody I've ever seen." In his first two seasons in the NHL, his deft passing skills helped earn him a reputation as an ace playmaker, and so opposing defencemen focused their efforts on foiling his attempts to pass the puck to other scorers. In response, Gretzky started shooting on goal himself—and with exceptional effectiveness. He had a fast and accurate shot. "Wayne Gretzky was one of the most accurate scorers in NHL history", said one biography. Statistics support the contention: whereas Phil Esposito, who had set the previous goal-scoring record, needed 550 shots to score 76 goals, Gretzky netted his 76th after only 287 shots—about half as many. He scored his all-time single-season record of 92 goals with just 369 shots. Because he was so light compared to other players, goalies were often surprised by how hard Gretzky's shot was. Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast". He also had a way of never shooting the puck with the same rhythm twice, making his shots harder to time and block.

Veteran Canadian journalist Peter Gzowski wrote that Gretzky seemed to be able to slow down time. "There is an unhurried grace to everything Gretzky does on the ice. Winding up for the slapshot, he will stop for an almost imperceptible moment at the top of his arc, like a golfer with a rhythmic swing." "Gretzky uses this room to insert an extra beat into his actions. In front of the net, eyeball to eyeball with the goaltender ... he will ... hold the puck one ... extra instant, upsetting the anticipated rhythm of the game, extending the moment. ... He distorts time, and not only by slowing it down. Sometimes he will release the puck before he appears to be ready, threading the pass through a maze of players precisely to the blade of a teammate's stick, or finding a chink in a goaltender's armour and slipping the puck into it ... before the goaltender is ready to react."

Commentators have noted Gretzky's uncanny ability to judge the position of the other players on the ice—so much so that many suspected he enjoyed some kind of extrasensory perception, that he played like he had "eyes in the back of his head". Gretzky said he sensed other players more than he saw them. "I get a feeling about where a teammate is going to be", he said. "A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking." Gretzky explained that what appeared to be instinct was, in large part, the effect of his relentless study and practice of the game, in co-operation with his coaches. As a result, he developed a deep understanding of its shifting patterns and dynamics. Gzowski said that Gretzky understood the game so well, that he could instantly recognize and capitalize upon emerging patterns of play: "What we take to be creative genius is in fact a reaction to a situation that he has stored in his brain as deeply and firmly as his own phone number." Gretzky agreed with this assessment, saying, "That's a hundred percent right. It's all practice. I got it from my Dad. . . . Nobody would ever say a doctor had learned his profession by instinct; yet in my own way I've put in almost as much time studying hockey as a medical student puts in studying medicine."

Physical attributes

When he entered the league in 1979, critics opined that Gretzky was "too small, too wiry, and too slow to be a force in the ." He weighed 160 pounds (73 kg), compared to the NHL average of 189 pounds (86 kg) at that time. But that year, Gretzky tied for first place in scoring, and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player. In his second year in the league, weighing just 165 pounds, he broke the previous single-season scoring record, racking up 164 points. The next year (1981–82), at 170 pounds—still "a wisp compared to the average NHL player"—he set the all-time goal-scoring record, putting 92 pucks in the net. He weighed "about 170 pounds" for the better part of his career. He consistently scored last in strength tests among the Edmonton Oilers, bench pressing only 140 pounds (64 kg).

Despite his lack of strength, Gretzky had remarkable physical stamina. Like his hero, Gordie Howe, Gretzky possessed "an exceptional capacity to renew his energy resources quickly." In 1980, when an exercise physiologist tested the recuperative abilities of all of the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky scored so high that the tester said he "thought the machine had broken". His stamina is also indicated by the fact that Gretzky often scored late in the game. In the year he scored his record 92 goals, 22 of them went in the net during the first period, 30 in the second—and 40 in the third.

He also had strong general athletic skills. Growing up, he was a competitive runner and also batted .492 for the Junior Intercounty Baseball League's Brantford CKCP Braves in the summer of 1980. As a result, he was offered a contract by the Toronto Blue Jays. Gretzky also excelled at box lacrosse, which he played during the summer. At age ten, after scoring 196 goals in his hockey league, he scored 158 goals in lacrosse.

According to Gretzky, lacrosse was where he learned to protect himself from hard checks: "In those days you could be hit from behind in lacrosse, as well as cross-checked, so you had to learn how to roll body checks for self-protection." Gretzky applied this technique as a professional player, avoiding checks with such skill that a rumour circulated that there was an unwritten rule not to hit him. This was how Gretzky avoided serious injuries despite being undersized and entering the NHL during its "rough and tumble time"; Gretzky noted that his contemporary Mike Bossy "took a beating to score goals, which consequently led him to retire because his back took a beating". Defencemen found Gretzky a most elusive target. The 205-pound (93 kg) Denis Potvin, a fellow Hall of Famer, compared attempting to hit Gretzky to "wrapping your arms around fog. You saw him but when you reached out to grab him your hands felt nothing, maybe just a chill."

Gretzky received a good deal of cover from burly Oiler enforcers Dave Semenko and Marty McSorley. The latter was traded with Gretzky in 1988 to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played the same policeman role for several more years. But Gretzky discouraged unfair hits in another way. "If a guy ran him, Wayne would embarrass that guy", said former Oiler Lee Fogolin. "He'd score six or seven points on him. I saw him do it night after night."

Post-retirement

Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the Open Ice Summit, held in August 1999 to discuss ways to improve Canadian ice hockey. He stressed the need to play and practice hockey for the love of the game, and felt that skill was more important to develop than talent and that Canada had the potential to be world leaders in skill development.

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 of Fame then announced that he would be the last player to do so. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000. In addition, Gretzky's jersey number 99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game, a decision inspired by Major League Baseball's retirement of the number 42 worn by Jackie Robinson. In October 1999, Edmonton honoured Gretzky by renaming one of Edmonton's busiest freeways, Capilano Drive—which passes by Northlands Coliseum—to Wayne Gretzky Drive. Also in Edmonton, the local transit authority assigned a rush-hour bus route numbered No. 99 which also runs on Wayne Gretzky Drive for its commute.

Gretzky's star on Canada's Walk of Fame. He received the honour in 2002.

In 2002, the Kings held a jersey retirement ceremony and erected a life-sized statue of Gretzky outside the Staples Center; the ceremony was delayed until then so that Bruce McNall, who had recently finished a prison sentence, could attend. Also in 2002, Gretzky received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. His hometown of Brantford, Ontario, renamed Park Road North to "Wayne Gretzky Parkway" as well as renaming the North Park Recreation Centre to The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. Brantford further inducted Gretzky into its "Walk of Fame" in 2004. On May 10, 2010, he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission. Gretzky was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017.

Phoenix Coyotes

Almost immediately after retirement, several NHL teams approached Gretzky about an ownership role. In May 2000, he agreed to buy a 10% stake in the Phoenix Coyotes in a partnership with majority owner Steve Ellman, taking on the roles of alternate governor, managing partner and head of hockey operations. The Coyotes were in the process of being sold and Ellman convinced Gretzky to come on board, averting a potential move to Portland, Oregon. The sale was not completed until the following year, on February 15, 2001, after two missed deadlines while securing financing and partners before Ellman and Gretzky could take over. Trucking magnate and Arizona Diamondbacks part-owner Jerry Moyes was added to the partnership. Gretzky convinced his long-time agent Michael Barnett to join the team as its General Manager.

In 2005, rumours began circulating that Gretzky was about to name himself head coach of the Coyotes, but were denied by Gretzky and the team. Ultimately, Gretzky agreed to become head coach on August 8, 2005. Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5, and won his first game, on October 8 against the Minnesota Wild. He took an indefinite leave of absence on December 17 to be with his ill mother. Phyllis Gretzky died of lung cancer on December 19. Gretzky resumed his head-coaching duties on December 28. The Coyotes' record at the end of the 2005–06 season was 38–39–5, a 16-win improvement over 2003–04; they were 36–36–5 in games Gretzky coached.

In 2006, Moyes became majority owner of the team. There was uncertainty about Gretzky's role until it was announced on May 31, 2006, that he had agreed to a five-year contract to remain head coach. The Coyotes' performance declined in 2006–07, as the team ended the season 15th in their conference. During Gretzky's coaching tenure, the Coyotes did not reach the postseason, and their best finish in the Western Conference standings was 12th.

On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. An ownership dispute involving Research in Motion's Jim Balsillie (to relocate the team to Hamilton, Ontario) and the NHL itself arose, which eventually ended up in court. Gretzky did not attend the Coyotes' training camp, leaving associate head coach Ulf Samuelsson in charge, due to an uncertain contractual status with the club, whose bankruptcy hearings were continuing. Bidders for the club had indicated that Gretzky would no longer be associated with the team after it emerged from bankruptcy, and on September 24, 2009, Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations of the Coyotes. Gretzky's final head coaching record was 143–161–24.

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 media and fan comments regarding his team's uninspiring 1–1–1 start. His temper boiled over after Canada's 3–3 draw versus 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. Gretzky addressed those comments by saying he spoke out to protect the Canadian players, and the tirade was not "staged". The Canadian team won the gold medal, its first in 50 years.

Gretzky again acted as executive director of Canada's men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, though not with 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.

The lighting of an Olympic cauldron inside BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Gretzky served as an ambassador to Vancouver's successful bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and was named Special Advisor to Canada's men's hockey team at the Games. During the Games' opening ceremony, Gretzky, basketball player Steve Nash, skier Nancy Greene, and speed skater Catriona Le May Doan jointly lit the Olympic cauldron inside the ceremony venue of BC Place. Due to BC Place being an indoor stadium, and Olympic protocols stating that the lighting of the cauldron should be visible to the public, Gretzky was then escorted out of the stadium to light a second, outdoor cauldron outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, making him the de facto final torchbearer.

Alumni games

Main articles: 2003 Heritage Classic and 2017 NHL Winter Classic

Although Gretzky had previously stated he would not participate in any "old-timers exhibition games", on November 22, 2003, he took to the ice to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. The Heritage Classic, held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, was the first regular season NHL game to be played outdoors. It was preceded by the Mega Stars game, which featured Gretzky and many of his Oiler Dynasty teammates against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players (whose likes included Claude Lemieux, Guy Lafleur and others). Despite frigid temperatures, the crowd numbered 57,167, with an additional several million watching the game on television. The Edmonton alumni won the Megastars game 2–0, while Montreal went on to win the regular season game held later that day, 4–3.

Thirteen years later, on December 31, 2016, Gretzky participated in the Winter Classic Alumni Game, which was held between teams of former Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues players two days before the 2017 Winter Classic. Gretzky represented the Blues in the game, which his team won 8–7.

Edmonton Oilers

In October 2016, Gretzky returned to the Oilers as a partner and vice-chairman of the team's parent company, Oilers Entertainment Group, to work closely with owner Daryl Katz and Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson on the business side of the Oilers' operation.

On May 25, 2021, Gretzky announced that he would step down from his role with the Oilers, stating that "The Oilers, their fans, and the city of Edmonton have meant the world to me and my family for over four decades—and that will never end. Given the pandemic and other life changes, I realize I will not be able to dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization." It was subsequently reported by various outlets that Gretzky had signed with new U.S. NHL rightsholder Turner Sports to become an analyst. He serves as a studio analyst for NHL broadcasts on TNT and TBS.

Personal life

Gretzky has made several TV appearances, including as a Dance Fever celebrity judge, and acted in a dramatic role alongside Victor Newman in The Young and the Restless in 1981. In 1984, he travelled to the Soviet Union to film a television program on Russian goaltender Vladislav Tretiak. Gretzky was a guest host of the American late night variety show Saturday Night Live in 1989. A fictional crime-fighting version of him served as one of the main characters in the cartoon ProStars in 1991. In December 2016, Gretzky made a cameo on a Christmas episode of The Simpsons as a winter character.

Gretzky is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, having become a naturalized citizen of the latter.

Family

Janet and Wayne Gretzky in December 2013

While serving as a judge on Dance Fever, Gretzky met actress Janet Jones. According to Gretzky, Jones does not recall his being on the show. They met regularly after that, but did not become a couple until 1987 when they ran into each other at a Los Angeles Lakers game. Gretzky proposed in January 1988, and they were married on July 16, 1988, in a lavish ceremony the Canadian press dubbed "The Royal Wedding". Broadcast live throughout Canada from Edmonton's St. Joseph's Basilica, members of the Fire Department acted as ceremonial guards. The event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1 million.

The couple have five children: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. Paulina and golfer Dustin Johnson announced their engagement on August 18, 2013, and married on April 23, 2022, in Tennessee. Ty played hockey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's, but quit the sport, and attended Arizona State University. Trevor is a former minor league baseball player.

His father Walter died in 2021 at the age of 82.

Business ventures

Gretzky owned or partnered in the ownership of two sports teams before becoming a partner in the Phoenix Coyotes. In 1985, Gretzky bought the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for C$175,000. During his ownership, the team's colours were changed to silver and black, presaging the change in team jersey colours when he played for the Los Angeles Kings. For the first season that Gretzky played in Los Angeles, the Kings had their training camp at the Olympiques' arena. Gretzky sold the team in 1992 for C$550,000.

Wayne Gretzky's, downtown Toronto, pictured in 2014

In 1991, McNall purchased the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with Gretzky and John Candy as minority owners. The club won the Grey Cup championship in the first year of the partnership but struggled in the two following seasons, and the partnership sold the team before the 1994 season. Only McNall's name was engraved on the Grey Cup as team owner, but in November 2007, the CFL corrected the oversight, adding Gretzky's and Candy's names. In 1992, Gretzky and McNall partnered in an investment to buy a rare T206 cigarette card of Honus Wagner for US$451,000, later selling the card. It most recently sold for US$2.8 million. The pair also owned Thoroughbred race horses; one of them, Saumarez, won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1990. Gretzky was a board member and executive officer of the Hespeler Hockey Company.

Gretzky's appeal as a product endorser far surpassed that of other hockey players of his era. By 1995, he was among the five highest-paid athlete endorsers in North America, with deals from The Coca-Cola Company, Domino's Pizza, Sharp Corporation, and Upper Deck Company among others. Forbes estimates that Gretzky made US$93.8 million from 1990 to 1998. He has endorsed and launched a wide variety of products, from pillowcases to insurance. Gretzky is a partner in First Team Sports, a maker of sports equipment and Worldwide Roller Hockey, Inc., an operator of roller hockey rinks. The video game brand EA Sports included Gretzky in its 2010 title NHL Slapshot, and he had previously been an endorser for Page 44 Studios and Sony Computer Entertainment's video games Gretzky NHL 2005 and Gretzky NHL 06.

In 2017 as part-owner with Andrew Peller Ltd., Gretzky opened a winery and distillery named Wayne Gretzky Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, with products labelled by the trademark No. 99. From 1993 to 2020, Gretzky and a business partner operated the Wayne Gretzky's restaurant near the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto. Gretzky has other restaurants opened in 2016 at the Edmonton International Airport and named No. 99 Gretzky's Wine & Whisky, and in 2018 called Studio 99 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

Books

Gretzky has written several books, including Gretzky: An Autobiography (1990), with Rick Reilly, and 99: My Life in Pictures (1999), with John Davidson and Dan Diamond. His most recent work, 99: Stories of the Game (2016), with Kirstie McLellan Day, was an in-depth look at the history of hockey. It was the best-selling Canadian book of 2016.

Political activity

Gretzky with U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982

In 2003, while not criticizing Canada for declining to participate in the invasion of Iraq, Gretzky praised US President George W. Bush and his handling of the conflict, saying: "the President of the United States is a great leader, I happen to think he's a wonderful man and if he believes what he's doing is right, I back him 100 per cent."

During the 2015 Canadian federal election campaign, Gretzky endorsed the Conservative Party and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and was featured at a campaign rally praising Harper as "wonderful to the country". As a non-resident, Gretzky came under some criticism for this endorsement. In 2014, Gretzky praised Harper at a fundraiser in Toronto, calling him "one of the greatest prime ministers ever". In 2015, Gretzky endorsed Patrick Brown during his successful campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. In 2024, he and his family attended the victory party for Donald Trump during the 2024 United States presidential election.

In 2014, Gretzky, who is of Ukrainian heritage, was invited by Eugene Melnyk to speak at the United for Ukraine Gala fundraiser in Toronto in support of the country during its invasion by Russia. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Gretzky supported calls to ban Russian teams from international events as a consequence. The following month, he shared a ceremonial puck-drop with a Ukrainian hockey player.

Legacy

An exhibit on Gretzky at the Hockey Hall of Fame
See also: List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky's career achievements include a record nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Between 1981 and 1994, he won the Art Ross Trophy, presented to the NHL's season points leader, 10 times. Gretzky was named the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1985 and 1988, receiving the Conn Smythe Trophy. In addition, he earned the Lester B. Pearson Award (now Ted Lindsay Award) on five occasions; the award is given to the NHL's "most outstanding player", as determined by National Hockey League Players' Association members. The Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship and performance, was presented to Gretzky five times between 1980 and 1999. Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999, and into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000. He was an inaugural recipient of the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2012.

The Wayne Gretzky International Award is presented by the United States Hockey Hall of Fame to honour international individuals who have made major contributions to the growth and advancement of hockey in the United States. The Wayne Gretzky 99 Award is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. The Wayne Gretzky Trophy is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference. The Edmonton Minor Hockey Association also has an award named for Gretzky.

In May 2021, one of his 1979 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards sold for $3.75 million.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Figures in boldface italics are NHL records.

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1975–76 Toronto Nationals MetJHL 28 27 33 60 7
1976–77 Seneca Nationals MetJHL 32 36 36 72 35 23 40 35 75
1976–77 Peterborough Petes OMJHL 3 0 3 3 0
1977–78 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OMJHL 64 70 112 182 14 13 6 20 26 0
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 3 2 1 3 0
1980–81 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 55 109 164 28 9 7 14 21 4
1981–82 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 92 120 212 26 5 5 7 12 8
1982–83 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 71 125 196 59 16 12 26 38 4
1983–84 Edmonton Oilers NHL 74 87 118 205 39 19 13 22 35 12
1984–85 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 73 135 208 52 18 17 30 47 4
1985–86 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 52 163 215 46 10 8 11 19 2
1986–87 Edmonton Oilers NHL 79 62 121 183 28 21 5 29 34 6
1987–88 Edmonton Oilers NHL 64 40 109 149 24 19 12 31 43 16
1988–89 Los Angeles Kings NHL 78 54 114 168 26 11 5 17 22 0
1989–90 Los Angeles Kings NHL 73 40 102 142 42 7 3 7 10 0
1990–91 Los Angeles Kings NHL 78 41 122 163 16 12 4 11 15 2
1991–92 Los Angeles Kings NHL 74 31 90 121 34 6 2 5 7 2
1992–93 Los Angeles Kings NHL 45 16 49 65 6 24 15 25 40 4
1993–94 Los Angeles Kings NHL 81 38 92 130 20
1994–95 Los Angeles Kings NHL 48 11 37 48 6
1995–96 Los Angeles Kings NHL 62 15 66 81 32
1995–96 St. Louis Blues NHL 18 8 13 21 2 13 2 14 16 0
1996–97 New York Rangers NHL 82 25 72 97 28 15 10 10 20 2
1997–98 New York Rangers NHL 82 23 67 90 28
1998–99 New York Rangers NHL 70 9 53 62 14
WHA totals 80 46 64 110 19 13 10 10 20 2
NHL totals 1,487 894 1,963 2,857 577 208 122 260 382 66

International

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 WC 10 6 8 14 0
1984 Canada CC 8 5 7 12 2
1987 Canada CC 9 3 18 21 2
1991 Canada CC 7 4 8 12 2
1996 Canada WCH 8 3 4 7 2
1998 Canada OLY 6 0 4 4 2
Junior totals 6 8 9 17 2
Senior totals 55 26 56 82 12

All-Star games

Year Location G A Pts
1980 Detroit 0 0 0
1981 Inglewood 0 1 1
1982 Landover 1 0 1
1983 Uniondale 4 0 4
1984 East Rutherford 1 0 1
1985 Calgary 1 0 1
1986 Hartford 1 0 1
1988 St. Louis 1 0 1
1989 Edmonton 1 2 3
1990 Pittsburgh 0 0 0
1991 Chicago 1 0 1
1992 Philadelphia 1 2 3
1993 Montreal 0 0 0
1994 New York 0 2 2
1996 Boston 0 0 0
1997 San Jose 0 1 1
1998 Vancouver 0 2 2
1999 Tampa 1 2 3
18 All-Star games 13 12 25

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L OTL Pts Finish Result
Phoenix Coyotes 2005–06 82 38 39 5 81 5th in Pacific Missed playoffs
Phoenix Coyotes 2006–07 82 31 46 5 67 5th in Pacific Missed playoffs
Phoenix Coyotes 2007–08 82 38 37 7 83 4th in Pacific Missed playoffs
Phoenix Coyotes 2008–09 82 36 39 7 79 4th in Pacific Missed playoffs
Total 328 143 161 24      

Source:

See also

References

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