Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Wayne Gretzky
Discover the career path of Wayne Gretzky, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Wayne Gretzky, nicknamed "The Great One", is widely considered the greatest ice hockey player in history. He played 20 seasons in the NHL, from 1979 to 1999, for four teams. Gretzky holds NHL records for career goals, assists, and points, with more career assists than any other player has total points. He is the only NHL player to surpass 200 points in a single season, achieving this four times, and exceeded 100 points in 15 professional seasons. Upon retirement in 1999, he held 61 NHL records.
October 1971: Profile in Toronto Telegram
In October 1971, John Iaboni wrote a profile of the young Wayne Gretzky in the Toronto Telegram due to his impressive performance with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers.
1972: Summit Series Impact
Beginning in 1972 with the Summit Series, the Soviets developed a more team style of play and had successfully used it against the best NHL teams.
1974: Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
In 1974, Wayne Gretzky scored 26 points playing for Brantford in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.
1977: Drafted by Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
In 1977, Wayne Gretzky was drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League with the third pick.
June 12, 1978: Signed with Indianapolis Racers
On June 12, 1978, 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky signed a seven-year personal services contract worth US$1.75 million with Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania.
June 1978: Signed with Indianapolis Racers
In June 1978, Wayne Gretzky signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA).
1978: World Junior Championships
In 1978, Wayne Gretzky, at age 16, made his first international appearance at the World Junior Championships in Montreal, Quebec. Despite initial skepticism, he led the tournament with 17 points, earning All-Star Team and Best Forward honors. His performance remains the highest score by a 16-year-old in the tournament, and Canada won the bronze medal.
January 26, 1979: Signed Ten-Year Contract with Oilers
On his 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Wayne Gretzky signed a ten-year personal services contract with Edmonton Oilers owner Pocklington, worth CA$3 million.
1979: First NHL Season
In 1979, Gretzky entered the NHL, facing criticism for being too small and slow. Despite weighing only 160 pounds, he tied for first place in scoring and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player.
1979: WHA All-Star Game Appearance
In 1979, Wayne Gretzky appeared in the WHA All-Star Game, playing on a line with his idol Gordie Howe and Howe's son, Mark. The WHA All-Stars won the three-game series against Dynamo Moscow.
1979: Start of NHL Career
In 1979, Wayne Gretzky began his 20-season career in the National Hockey League (NHL).
1979: WHA-NHL Agreement
In 1979, an agreement was finalized for the WHA to fold after the season, with the Edmonton Oilers and three other teams joining the NHL as expansion franchises.
December 30, 1981: 50 Goals in 39 Games
On December 30, 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored his 50th goal of the season in only 39 games, against the Philadelphia Flyers, surpassing the record of 50 goals in 50 games.
1981: Canada Cup Debut
In 1981, Gretzky debuted with the Canadian national team at the Canada Cup. He led the tournament in scoring with 12 points, but Canada finished in second place, losing to the Soviet Union 8–1 in the final.
1981: Single-Season Scoring Record
In 1981, Gretzky, weighing 165 pounds, broke the previous single-season scoring record, racking up 164 points.
1981: Gretzky Leads NHL in Goals
In 1981, Wayne Gretzky began a streak where he led the NHL in goals scored.
1981: Art Ross Trophy and Playoff Record
In 1981, Wayne Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy with a then-record 164 points. In the first game of the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs, he had five assists, setting a single-game playoff record.
February 24, 1982: Broke Esposito's Goal Record
On February 24, 1982, Wayne Gretzky broke Phil Esposito's record for most goals in a season, scoring three goals against the Buffalo Sabres and ending the season with 92 goals.
1982: Oilers High Scoring Offense
In 1982, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, which was an unprecedented amount.
1982: Broke Assists Record
In 1982-83 Wayne Gretzky broke his assist record with 125.
1983: Oilers reach Stanley Cup Finals
In 1983, the Edmonton Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky as captain, reached the Stanley Cup Finals, but they were swept by the New York Islanders, who were the three-time defending champions at the time.
1984: Oilers voted greatest NHL team ever
In 1984, the Edmonton Oilers team, later voted the greatest NHL team ever, was the one most directly impacted by the June 1985 rule change.
1984: Broke Assists Record
In 1984-85 Wayne Gretzky broke his assist record with 135.
June 1985: NHL Introduces Offsetting Penalties
In June 1985, the NHL Board of Governors introduced offsetting penalties, a rule change that became known as "the Gretzky rule."
1985: Oilers Win Stanley Cup
In 1985, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup.
1985: Oilers High Scoring Offense
In 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, which was an unprecedented amount.
1985: Broke Assists Record
In 1985-86 Wayne Gretzky broke his assist record with 163.
1986: Gretzky Leads NHL in Goals
In 1986, Wayne Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored.
1987: 1987 Canada Cup Highlight
In 1987, Gretzky considered the Canada Cup the best hockey he had played in his life. He recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games, playing alongside Mario Lemieux. They combined for the game-winner in the deciding game against the Soviets, securing the tournament win for Canada.
1987: Gretzky's Contract Converted
In 1987, Wayne Gretzky and Peter Pocklington agreed to replace Gretzky's personal services contract with a standard NHL contract.
1987: Oilers Win Stanley Cup
In 1987, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup.
August 9, 1988: Trade to Los Angeles Kings
On August 9, 1988, Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, having an immediate impact on the team's performance and popularizing hockey in California.
1988: Trade to the Los Angeles Kings
In 1988, Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, along with Marty McSorley, who continued to play the role of protecting Gretzky from unfair hits.
1988: Oilers Win Stanley Cup
In 1988, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup.
1988: Gretzky's Return to Edmonton
In 1988, Wayne Gretzky made his first appearance in Edmonton after being traded, receiving a four-minute standing ovation.
1988: Gretzky's Captaincy Ends
In 1988, Wayne Gretzky's tenure as the captain of the Edmonton Oilers came to an end.
1988: Oilers Planning to Trade Gretzky
In 1988, shortly after winning the Stanley Cup, Wayne Gretzky learned that the Edmonton Oilers were planning to trade him to another team due to financial issues.
1989: Kings' First-Round Draft Pick
In 1989, as part of the trade deal, the Kings' first-round draft pick was later traded to the New Jersey Devils, who used it to select Jason Miller.
1991: 1991 Canada Cup
In 1991, Gretzky led the Canada Cup tournament for the fourth and final time with 12 points in seven games. However, he did not compete in the final against the United States due to a back injury, though Canada won the tournament.
1991: Kings' First-Round Draft Pick
In 1991, as part of the trade deal, the Kings' first-round draft pick was used to select Martin Ručinský.
1992: Gretzky's Point Streak Ends
In 1992, Wayne Gretzky's 65-point output ended his record 13-year streak of recording at least 100 points each season.
1992: "The Gretzky Rule" Reversed
In 1992, the NHL reversed the offsetting penalties rule, also known as "the Gretzky rule".
January 6, 1993: Gretzky's 1,000th NHL Game
On January 6, 1993, Wayne Gretzky returned from a back injury, marking his 1,000th NHL game.
1993: Stanley Cup Finals with Kings
In 1993, Wayne Gretzky led the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals.
1993: Kings' First-Round Draft Pick
In 1993, as part of the trade deal, the Kings' first-round draft pick was used to select Nick Stajduhar.
1994: McNall Forced to Sell Kings
In 1994, Bruce McNall was forced to sell the Los Angeles Kings due to financial troubles, straining Wayne Gretzky's relationship with the team's new owners.
February 27, 1996: Gretzky Traded to St. Louis Blues
On February 27, 1996, Wayne Gretzky was traded to the St. Louis Blues.
1996: Gretzky Joins the New York Rangers
In 1996, Wayne Gretzky joined the New York Rangers.
1996: 1996 World Cup
In 1996, the Canada Cup was revived and renamed the World Cup. This marked the first time Gretzky did not finish as the tournament's leading scorer; he placed fourth overall with seven points in eight games.
1996: Gretzky Requests Trade
In early 1996, Wayne Gretzky requested a trade from the Los Angeles Kings due to the team's fiscal instability.
November 29, 1997: Named to Olympic Team
On November 29, 1997, Gretzky was named to the Canadian team for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, marking the first time NHL players were eligible to participate.
1997: Rangers Reach Conference Finals
In 1997, Wayne Gretzky helped the New York Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
1998: Gretzky Leads NHL in Assists
During the 1997-98 season, Wayne Gretzky, along with Jaromir Jagr, topped the NHL in assists with 67.
1998: Leadership at the 1998 Olympics
During the 1998 Olympics in Japan, Gretzky's improvisational skills and hockey sense made him a team leader, despite being passed over for the captaincy.
1998: Kings Fail to Qualify for Playoffs
In 1998, after numerous attempts, the Los Angeles Kings finally qualified for the playoffs.
1998: 1998 Winter Olympics
In 1998, at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Gretzky played his eighth and final international appearance. He finished with four assists in six games, but Team Canada lost in the semi-finals and bronze medal game, finishing without a medal. Gretzky retired from international play holding records for most goals, assists, and points in best-on-best hockey.
1998: Gretzky's Last Season
The 1998-99 season was Wayne Gretzky's last as a professional player.
April 15, 1999: Gretzky's Last Game in Canada
On April 15, 1999, Wayne Gretzky played his last NHL game in Canada, a 2-2 tie with the Ottawa Senators, and was awarded all three stars in a departure from the usual announcement.
April 18, 1999: Gretzky's Final NHL Game
On April 18, 1999, Wayne Gretzky played the final game of his NHL career, a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden, where he recorded his final point with an assist.
August 1999: Honorary Chairman of Open Ice Summit
In August 1999, Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the Open Ice Summit, focusing on improving Canadian ice hockey. He emphasized the importance of playing for the love of the game and skill development.
May 2000: Agreement to Buy Stake in Phoenix Coyotes
In May 2000, Gretzky agreed to buy a 10% stake in the Phoenix Coyotes, partnering with Steve Ellman, and taking on roles as alternate governor, managing partner, and head of hockey operations to prevent a potential move to Portland, Oregon.
2000: Part-owner of Phoenix Coyotes
In 2000, Wayne Gretzky became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes.
February 15, 2001: Sale of Coyotes Completed
On February 15, 2001, after missed deadlines, the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes was completed with Ellman and Gretzky taking over, adding Jerry Moyes to the partnership. Gretzky also convinced Michael Barnett to become the team's General Manager.
2002: Executive Director for Canadian Olympic Team
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, Wayne Gretzky served as executive director for the Canadian national men's hockey team, which won a gold medal.
2002: Executive Director at 2002 Winter Olympics
In 2002, Gretzky was the executive director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. On February 18, he lashed out at the media due to frustration with negative comments about the team. The Canadian team ultimately won the gold medal.
August 8, 2005: Named Head Coach of Coyotes
On August 8, 2005, Gretzky agreed to become the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
May 31, 2006: Five-Year Contract as Head Coach
On May 31, 2006, Gretzky agreed to a five-year contract to remain head coach of the Coyotes.
2006: Rangers Return to Playoffs
In 2006, the New York Rangers returned to the playoffs, after Wayne Gretzky had already retired.
May 5, 2009: Coyotes File for Bankruptcy
On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to an ownership dispute.
September 2009: Resignation from Phoenix Coyotes
In September 2009, following the Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy, Wayne Gretzky resigned as head coach and relinquished his ownership share.
September 24, 2009: Stepped Down as Head Coach of the Coyotes
On September 24, 2009, Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations of the Coyotes due to an uncertain contractual status amid bankruptcy hearings. His final head coaching record was 143–161–24.
October 2016: Return to Oilers as Minority Partner
In October 2016, Wayne Gretzky returned to the Oilers as a minority partner and vice-chairman of their parent company, Oilers Entertainment Group.
2021: Analyst on Turner Sports' NHL Coverage
In 2021, Wayne Gretzky left the Oilers Entertainment Group to become an analyst on Turner Sports' NHL coverage.
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