Wayne Gretzky's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Wayne Gretzky, nicknamed "The Great One," is widely considered the greatest ice hockey player of all time. He played 20 seasons in the NHL, from 1979 to 1999, for four teams. Gretzky holds numerous NHL records, including leading career point scorer and assist producer. He is the only NHL player to surpass 200 points in a single season, achieving this feat four times. He also recorded over 100 points in 15 professional seasons. Upon his retirement in 1999, Gretzky held 61 NHL records.

Sections (5)

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

1944: Maurice Richard set 50 Goals in 50 Games

During the 1944-45 NHL season, Maurice "Rocket" Richard set the record of 50 goals in 50 games.

1978: Top Scorer in World Junior Championships

In 1978, Wayne Gretzky became the top scorer in the World Junior Championships.

1978: World Junior Championships

In 1978, at age 16, Wayne Gretzky made his first international appearance at the World Junior Championships in Montreal, Quebec. Despite initial skepticism, he led the tournament in scoring with 17 points, earning All-Star Team and Best Forward honors. Canada finished with the bronze medal.

January 26, 1979: Signed 10-Year Personal Services Contract with Oilers

On January 26, 1979, his 18th birthday, Wayne Gretzky signed a ten-year personal services contract with the Edmonton Oilers, worth CA$3 million, and finished third in the league in scoring, capturing the Lou Kaplan Trophy as rookie of the year.

1979: Hart Memorial Trophy and Scoring Lead Tie

During his first NHL season in 1979-80, Wayne Gretzky was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player 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).

1979: NHL Debut

In 1979, Wayne Gretzky debuted in the NHL. Despite concerns that he was too small and slow, he tied for first place in scoring and won the Hart Trophy, demonstrating his value to the league.

1980: Mike Bossy Tied 50 Goals in 50 Games

During the 1980-81 NHL season, Mike Bossy tied Maurice "Rocket" Richard's record of 50 goals in 50 games. Wayne Gretzky broke this record during the 1981-82 season.

1980: Lady Byng Trophy

In 1980, Gretzky was presented with the Lady Byng Trophy, an award that recognizes sportsmanship and performance in the NHL.

1980: Exceptional Stamina

In 1980, Wayne Gretzky's stamina was tested by an exercise physiologist who tested the recuperative abilities of the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky scored so high the tester thought the machine was broken.

December 30, 1981: Scored 50 Goals in 39 Games

On December 30, 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored his 50th goal of the season in only 39 games, breaking the record held by Maurice "Rocket" Richard, in a 7-5 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

1981: Gretzky Leads NHL in Goals

In 1981, Wayne Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored, a feat he repeated five times between 1981-82 and 1986-87.

1981: Single Season Scoring Record

In 1981, Wayne Gretzky set the single-season scoring record. In his second year in the league he racked up 164 points.

1981: Art Ross Trophy and Stanley Cup Playoffs Record

In 1981, Wayne Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy with a then-record 164 points and had five assists in the first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, setting a single game playoff record.

1981: Art Ross Trophy

In 1981, Wayne Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy, which is presented to the NHL's season points leader. This marked the beginning of a decade-long dominance in securing the award.

February 24, 1982: Broke Esposito's Record for Most Goals in a Season

On February 24, 1982, Wayne Gretzky broke Phil Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76), scoring three in a 6-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres.

1982: Oilers High Scoring Offense

Between 1982 and 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, when no previous team had scored 400.

1982: World Championships Bronze

In 1982, Wayne Gretzky joined Team Canada for the World Championships in Finland. He recorded 14 points in 10 games, including a two-goal, two-assist effort in the final game against Sweden, to secure the bronze medal for Canada.

1982: Broke Assists Record

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

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 Team voted Greatest NHL Team Ever

In 1984 the Edmonton Oilers team was voted the greatest NHL team ever as part of the NHL's centennial celebrations, directly impacted by the June 1985 rule change.

1984: Officer of the Order of Canada

In 1984, Gretzky was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, a recognition of his contributions to the country.

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, and Gretzky led the tournament in scoring for the second consecutive time and was named to the All-Star Team.

1984: Broke Assists Record

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

1985: Oilers High Scoring Offense

Between 1982 and 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, when no previous team had scored 400.

1985: Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1985, Gretzky was named the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs, earning him the Conn Smythe Trophy.

1985: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1985, the Edmonton Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky, won the Stanley Cup.

1985: Broke Assists Record and Point Record

In the 1985-86 season, Gretzky broke his assists record with 163 and his point record with 215.

1986: Gretzky Leads NHL in Goals

In 1986, Wayne Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored, a feat he repeated five times between 1981-82 and 1986-87.

1986: Maintained Assist Record

In the 1986-87 season, Gretzky maintained his assist record with 121.

1987: Canada Cup Highlight

In 1987, Wayne Gretzky played in the Canada Cup, a tournament he has called the best hockey he ever played. He recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games, playing on a line with Mario Lemieux. They combined for the game-winner in the deciding game three against the Soviets, securing the tournament win for Canada.

1987: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1987, the Edmonton Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky, won the Stanley Cup.

1988: Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1988, Wayne Gretzky was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy again as the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

1988: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1988, the Edmonton Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky, won the Stanley Cup.

1990: Gretzky Named Athlete of the Decade

In 1990, Wayne Gretzky was named Male Athlete of the Decade by the Associated Press. In the same year the Oilers won the Stanley Cup, their first without Gretzky, and Messier dedicated the win to him.

1990: Maintained Assist Record

In the 1990-91 season, Gretzky maintained his assist record with 122.

1992: Gretzky's Point Streak Ends

In 1992, Wayne Gretzky was sidelined with a back injury which ended a record 13-year streak in which he recorded 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 for his 1,000th NHL game.

1993: Led Kings to Stanley Cup Finals

In 1993, Wayne Gretzky led the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals, contributing to the popularization of hockey in California.

1994: Art Ross Trophy

In 1994, Wayne Gretzky won his tenth Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL's season points leader, between 1981 and 1994.

1997: Gretzky Voted Greatest NHL Player

In 1997, The Hockey News committee voted Wayne Gretzky the greatest player in NHL history.

1998: Gretzky breaks professional goal-scoring record

During the 1998–99 season Wayne Gretzky broke Gordie Howe's professional total goal-scoring record of 1,071 goals.

1998: Gretzky Leads NHL in Assists

In the 1997-98 season, Wayne Gretzky topped the NHL with 67 assists alongside Jaromir Jagr.

November 22, 1999: Hockey Hall of Fame Induction

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: Lady Byng Trophy

In 1999, Wayne Gretzky received the Lady Byng Trophy, which recognizes sportsmanship and performance, for the fifth time.

1999: Induction into Hockey Hall of Fame and Jersey Retirement

In 1999, Wayne Gretzky retired from professional hockey and was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, with the NHL retiring his jersey number 99 league-wide.

1999: Induction into Hockey Hall of Fame

In 1999, Wayne Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, marking a significant recognition of his contributions to the sport.

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

In 2000, Wayne Gretzky became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

2000: Jersey Retirement and IIHF Hall of Fame Induction

In 2000, Wayne Gretzky's jersey number 99 was retired league-wide at the NHL All-Star Game. He was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000.

2002: Executive Director for Canadian National Men's Hockey Team

In 2002, Wayne Gretzky served as the executive director for the Canadian national men's hockey team during the Winter Olympics, where the team won a gold medal.

2002: Honors and Recognition in 2002

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