Wayne Gretzky : Ice Hockey
Known by many hockey fans as “The Great One”, Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC (born January 26, 1961) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is dubbed as hockey’s greatest player by many sportswriters, players, HHL and fans, playing for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. He was only 17 when he jumped to the World Hockey Association with the Indianapolis Racers in 1978. In sixteen seasons, he scored a total of over 200 points and the leading point-scorer in NHL history. He led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups from 1984 to 1988 and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP. He retired as a professional athlete in 1999.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Wayne Gretzky holds numerous records like most regular season goals by a center (894), most playoff assists (260), most All-Star game points 25 (13 goals, 12 assists in 18 games). He finished his career with 1.921 points per game average. He’s also the youngest player to score three or more goals during an All-Star Games.
Some of his honors include Sports Illustrated’s Hockey Player of the Century, IIHF Centennial All-Star Team, the first international recipient of the Horatio Alger Award, Officer of the Order of Canada and a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.
Why Was He So Good?
Wayne Gretzky was the dominant figure in NHL during his 20-year career. He was a role model on and off the ice, a magician who perform tricks virtually with whatever he pleased and that’s why Canadians love him for it.
What You May Not Know
- His father had Wayne on skates when he was only two years old and by five, he was already the local attraction.
- During the final year of peewee hockey, Wayne Gretzky scored a total of 378 goals.
- He attended banquets and performed charity work, signed autographs and put smiles on everyone’s faces by being a super friendly human being. He became a national hero in Canada up until this day by helping the men’s Olympic hockey team win medals.
- He became an owner of NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes franchise in 2001.
Was he a legend?
Do you agree with Wayne Gretzky being a legend of ice hockey?
How would you rate their greatness? (from good to 'the best')
Related Pages
- More ice hockey players
- About Ice Hockey
- Athlete Database home
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Current Events