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 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.

Sections (5)

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

1944: Maurice Richard sets 50 goals in 50 games

In 1944, Maurice "Rocket" Richard set the record for scoring 50 goals in 50 games.

1967: Start of Companionship Appointments

In 1967, the Governor General's office started appointing individuals as Companions of the Order of Canada. According to a 2015 statement, between 1967 and 2015, 467 individuals were appointed.

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.

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.

1980: Mike Bossy ties 50 goals in 50 games

In 1980, Mike Bossy tied the record for scoring 50 goals in 50 games.

1980: Exceptional Stamina

In 1980, tests revealed Gretzky had exceptional physical stamina and recovery abilities. An exercise physiologist testing the Edmonton Oilers was surprised by Gretzky's high score, suggesting the machine might have been broken. His stamina was reflected in his ability to score late in games.

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: 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: World Championships

In 1982, Gretzky joined Team Canada for the World Championships in Finland and scored 14 points in 10 games, including a two-goal, two-assist effort in Canada's final game against Sweden, helping them earn the bronze medal.

1982: Oilers High Scoring Offense

In 1982, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, which was an unprecedented amount.

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: Canada Cup Victory

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

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.

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.

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: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

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

1988: Oilers Win Stanley Cup

In 1988, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers 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.

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.

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.

1997: Gretzky Ranked as Greatest NHL Player

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

1998: Gretzky Leads NHL in Assists

During the 1997-98 season, Wayne Gretzky, along with Jaromir Jagr, topped the NHL in assists with 67.

October 1999: Edmonton Freeway Renamed

In October 1999, Edmonton honored Gretzky by renaming Capilano Drive, a freeway passing by Northlands Coliseum, to Wayne Gretzky Drive.

November 22, 1999: Induction into Hockey Hall of Fame

On November 22, 1999, 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, as the Hall of Fame discontinued the practice thereafter.

1999: Induction into Hockey Hall of Fame

In 1999, after his retirement, Wayne Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, with the waiting period waived.

2000: Jersey Number Retired League-Wide

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

2000: Induction into IIHF Hall of Fame

In 2000, Wayne Gretzky was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame.

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.

2002: Jersey Retirement and Statue

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

2004: Brantford Walk of Fame Induction

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

2004: Induction into Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

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

May 10, 2010: Ambassador Award of Excellence

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

2012: Received Order of Hockey in Canada

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

2015: Governor General's Office Statement on Investiture

In 2015, a spokesperson for the Governor General's office confirmed attempts to arrange Wayne Gretzky's investiture as a Companion of the Order of Canada. The spokesperson also noted that, between 1967 and 2015, 467 individuals had been appointed as Companions, with five, including Gretzky, not yet invested.