Wayne Gretzky's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Wayne Gretzky.

Wayne Gretzky, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely regarded as "the Great One," is considered the greatest hockey player ever. He played 20 seasons in the NHL, setting numerous records. Gretzky holds the record for career points and assists, remarkably having more assists than any other player's total career points. He is the only NHL player to surpass 200 points in a single season, achieving this four times and exceeding 100 points in 15 seasons. Upon his retirement in 1999, Gretzky held 61 NHL records, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in ice hockey.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1944: Richard's 50 in 50 Record

Maurice "Rocket" Richard first set the record of 50 goals in 50 games during the 1944–45 NHL season.

1967: Order of Canada Appointment Statistics

In 2015, a spokesperson for the Governor General noted that between 1967 and 2015, 467 individuals were appointed as Companions of the Order of Canada, with five uninvested at the time including Wayne Gretzky.

1978: 1978 World Junior Championships

In 1978, Wayne Gretzky made his international debut for the Canadian national junior team at the World Junior Championships in Montreal, Quebec. Despite initial skepticism, Gretzky led the tournament in scoring with 17 points, earning All-Star Team and Best Forward honors, and helped Canada win the bronze medal.

1979: First Season in the NHL

In 1979, Gretzky entered the NHL and, despite being considered too small and slow by critics, he tied for first place in scoring and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player.

1979: NHL Debut and Hart Memorial Trophy

In his first NHL season, 1979-80, Gretzky tied for the scoring lead with 137 points and was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player. He was not eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy due to his previous WHA experience.

1980: Bossy ties Richard's record

Mike Bossy tied Maurice Richard's record of 50 goals in 50 games during the 1980–81 NHL season.

December 30, 1981: 50 Goals in 39 Games

On December 30, 1981, Gretzky scored his 50th goal of the 1981-82 season in only 39 games, surpassing the record of 50 goals in 50 games. His 50th goal came in the final seconds of a 7-5 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

1981: Gretzky leads the NHL in goals scored.

In 1981 Wayne Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored.

1981: Art Ross Trophy and Playoff Record

In 1981, Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy with a record 164 points and his second straight Hart Trophy. In the first game of the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs, he had five assists, setting a single-game playoff record.

1981: Single-Season Scoring Record

In 1981, Gretzky, weighing just 165 pounds, broke the previous single-season scoring record, racking up 164 points in the NHL.

February 24, 1982: Breaks Esposito's Goal Record

On February 24, 1982, Gretzky broke Phil Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76), scoring three to help defeat the Buffalo Sabres 6–3.

1982: Oilers' Offensive Prowess

From 1982, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, a feat never before achieved, with Wayne Gretzky averaging 207 points, far exceeding previous records.

1982: Breaks Assists Record

In the 1982-83 season, Gretzky broke his own assists record with 125 assists.

1983: Oilers in Stanley Cup Finals

In 1983, the Edmonton Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky as captain, reached the Stanley Cup Finals but were swept by the New York Islanders.

1984: Edmonton Oilers success

In 1984 The Edmonton Oilers team, was later voted the greatest NHL team ever, as part of the NHL's centennial celebrations.

1984: 1984 Canada Cup Victory

In 1984, Wayne Gretzky won his first international competition at the Canada Cup. Canada defeated Sweden in a best-of-three finals. Gretzky led the tournament in scoring for the second consecutive time and was named to the All-Star Team.

1984: Breaks Assists Record

In the 1984-85 season, Gretzky broke his own assists record with 135 assists.

1985: Oilers' Offensive Prowess

By 1985, the Edmonton Oilers had averaged 423 goals a season, a feat never before achieved, with Wayne Gretzky averaging 207 points, far exceeding previous records.

1985: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1985, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup, adding to their previous victory.

1985: Breaks Assists Record

In the 1985-86 season, Gretzky broke his own assists record with 163 assists.

1986: Gretzky leads the NHL in goals scored.

In 1986 Wayne Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored.

1986: Breaks Points Record

In the 1985-86 season, Gretzky broke his own points record with 215 points.

1987: 1987 Canada Cup

In 1987, Wayne Gretzky considered the Canada Cup the best hockey he played in his life. He played on a line with Mario Lemieux and recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games, leading Canada to victory against the Soviets in a memorable three-game final series.

1987: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1987, Wayne Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to another Stanley Cup victory.

1988: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1988, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers secured another Stanley Cup win.

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. A life-sized bronze statue of Gretzky holding the Stanley Cup was erected outside Northlands Coliseum after the 1988-89 season.

1990: Gretzky Named Athlete of the Decade

In 1990, Wayne Gretzky was named Male Athlete of the Decade by the Associated Press. The Oilers, without Gretzky, won their fifth Stanley Cup, which Mark Messier dedicated to him.

1990: Assists Record

In the 1990-91 season, Gretzky had 122 assists.

1991: 1991 Canada Cup

In 1991, Wayne Gretzky led the Canada Cup for the fourth and final time with 12 points, but missed the final against the United States due to a back injury. Canada won the tournament.

1992: Gretzky's Point Streak Ends

In 1992, Wayne Gretzky's 65-point output ended his 13-year streak of recording at least 100 points each season.

January 6, 1993: Gretzky's 1,000th NHL Game

On January 6, 1993, Wayne Gretzky returned from a back injury to play his 1,000th NHL game.

1997: Gretzky Ranked as Greatest NHL Player

In 1997, The Hockey News ranked Wayne Gretzky as the greatest player in NHL history based on a vote by 50 hockey experts.

1998: Gretzky Leads in Assists

During the 1997-98 season, Wayne Gretzky topped the NHL with 67 assists, marking the 16th time in 19 seasons he led the league in this statistic.

1998: Gretzky breaks professional goal-scoring record

In 1998 Wayne Gretzky broke the professional total goal-scoring record of 1,071, which Gordie Howe had held. Gretzky's last goal brought his scoring total for his combined NHL/WHA career to 1,072, one more than Howe.

October 1999: Wayne Gretzky Drive

In October 1999, the city of Edmonton honored Wayne Gretzky by renaming Capilano Drive, a major freeway near Northlands Coliseum, to Wayne Gretzky Drive. A rush-hour bus route No. 99 was also assigned to run on the renamed drive.

November 22, 1999: Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame

On November 22, 1999, Wayne Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, bypassing the three-year waiting period. He was the tenth and last player to do so.

1999: Induction into Hockey Hall of Fame

After his retirement in 1999, Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, waiving the waiting period. The NHL retired his jersey number 99 league-wide.

2000: Part-Owner of Phoenix Coyotes and IIHF Hall of Fame Induction

In 2000, Gretzky became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes. He was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000.

2000: Jersey Number Retired

In 2000, Gretzky was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. His jersey number 99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game, inspired by Major League Baseball's retirement of Jackie Robinson's number 42.

2002: Jersey Retirement and Statue

In 2002, the Los Angeles Kings held a jersey retirement ceremony for Wayne Gretzky and erected a life-sized statue of him outside the Staples Center. Gretzky also received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.

2004: Brantford Walk of Fame

In 2004, Gretzky was inducted into Brantford's "Walk of Fame".

2004: Inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

In 2004, Gretzky was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

May 10, 2010: The Ambassador Award of Excellence

On May 10, 2010, Gretzky was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission.

2012: Order of Hockey in Canada

In 2012, Gretzky received the Order of Hockey in Canada.

2015: Scheduling Conflicts for Investiture

In 2015, Wayne Gretzky's agent cited scheduling difficulties as the reason for his non-attendance at the Order of Canada investiture. He had been in Canada for other events during the past fifteen years.

2015: Attempts to Arrange Investiture

In 2015, a spokesperson for the Governor General's office confirmed attempts to arrange an investiture for Wayne Gretzky. Between 1967 and 2015, 467 individuals had been appointed as Companions of the Order of Canada.

2017: One of the 100 Greatest NHL Players

In 2017, Wayne Gretzky was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.

2025: Absence from Order of Canada Investiture

As of 2025, Wayne Gretzky had not attended the investiture in Ottawa to be appointed as a Companion of the Order of Canada. His agent mentioned in 2015 scheduling difficulties.