Wayne Gretzky Timeline

(January 26, 1961 – Present)

Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest ice hockey player of all time. Known as 'The Great One,' he set numerous NHL records for goals, assists, and points during a career spanning two decades with teams including the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Junior Career

Born in Brantford, Ontario

Jan 26, 1961

Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, to Walter and Phyllis Gretzky. He learned to skate on a backyard rink his father built, where he developed the skills that would make him the greatest hockey player of all time.

Image source: Wayne Gretzky

Scores 378 goals in one season at age 10

1971

At just 10 years old, Gretzky scored an astonishing 378 goals in a single season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers, attracting national attention as a child prodigy in Canadian hockey.

Signs with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

1977

Gretzky left home at age 16 to play for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey Association, wearing his famous number 99 for the first time after his preferred number 9 was taken.

Image source: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Plays for Canada at 1978 World Junior Championships

Dec 1977 - Jan 1978

Gretzky represented Canada at the 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Montreal, leading the tournament in scoring and earning selection to the all-star team despite being the youngest player.

Signs with Indianapolis Racers of WHA

Jun 1978

The 17-year-old Gretzky signed a personal services contract with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association, beginning his professional career before he was eligible for the NHL draft.

Image source: Indianapolis Racers

Traded to Edmonton Oilers

Nov 2, 1978

After only eight games with Indianapolis, Gretzky was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, where he would begin building his legendary career under coach and general manager Glen Sather.

NHL Career

Oilers join NHL as Gretzky wins first Hart Trophy

1979 - 1980

The Oilers joined the NHL in 1979-80, and Gretzky tied Marcel Dionne for the league scoring lead with 137 points, winning the Hart Trophy as MVP at age 18, the youngest winner ever.

Image source: 1979–80 NHL season

Wins first Stanley Cup with Oilers

May 30, 1984

Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to their first Stanley Cup championship, defeating the New York Islanders in five games and ending the Islanders' dynasty after four straight titles.

Oilers win second straight Stanley Cup

May 30, 1985

Gretzky captained the Oilers to back-to-back championships, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in five games while setting playoff records with 47 points in the postseason.

Image source: 1985 Stanley Cup Final

Wins third Stanley Cup in four years

May 31, 1987

The Oilers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in a thrilling seven-game series, with Gretzky recording a then-record 11 assists in the finals to secure his third Cup.

Image source: 1987 Stanley Cup Final

Captures fourth Stanley Cup with Oilers

May 26, 1988

Gretzky won his fourth Stanley Cup as the Oilers swept the Boston Bruins, capping off what many consider the greatest team of the decade before his shocking trade weeks later.

Shocking trade to Los Angeles Kings

Aug 9, 1988

In one of the most famous trades in sports history, Gretzky was dealt from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings along with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, draft picks, and cash.

Image source: Wayne Gretzky

Kings reach Stanley Cup Finals

1993

Gretzky led the Los Angeles Kings to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, including a memorable upset of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the conference finals, though they lost to Montreal in five games.

Image source: 1993 Stanley Cup Finals

Traded to St. Louis Blues

Feb 27, 1996

Gretzky was traded from Los Angeles to the St. Louis Blues mid-season, reuniting briefly with Brett Hull, but the partnership fell short of expectations and he left as a free agent.

Signs with New York Rangers

Jul 1996

Gretzky signed with the New York Rangers, joining longtime friend Mark Messier and playing his final three NHL seasons in New York alongside stars like Brian Leetch and Pat LaFontaine.

Image source: New York Rangers

Plays final NHL game

Apr 18, 1999

Gretzky played his last NHL game with the Rangers against the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording an assist on the final goal of his career. The game ended in a 2-1 overtime loss.

Records and Achievements

Wins first Art Ross Trophy

1981

Gretzky won his first Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer in 1980-81 with 164 points, beginning a streak that would see him lead the league in scoring seven consecutive seasons.

Image source: Art Ross Trophy

Breaks record with 50 goals in 39 games

Dec 30, 1981

Gretzky scored five goals against the Philadelphia Flyers to reach 50 goals in just 39 games, shattering Maurice Richard's and Mike Bossy's mark of 50 goals in 50 games.

Image source: 50 goals in 50 games

Sets single-season points record with 212

1982

In the 1981-82 season, Gretzky scored 92 goals and recorded 212 points, breaking Phil Esposito's single-season records and earning his second Hart Trophy and first Lester B. Pearson Award.

Image source: List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky

Leads Canada Cup victory over Soviet Union

Sep 15, 1987

Gretzky delivered one of hockey's most iconic moments, setting up Mario Lemieux's game-winning goal in Game 2 and assisting on Lemieux's decisive goal in Game 3 as Canada defeated the Soviet Union.

Becomes NHL's all-time leading scorer

Oct 15, 1989

Playing against his former Oilers teammates, Gretzky scored his 1,851st career point to surpass Gordie Howe as the NHL's all-time leading scorer, doing so in just his 780th game.

Reaches 2,500 career points milestone

Mar 29, 1997

Gretzky became the first and only player in NHL history to reach 2,500 career regular-season points, a mark so far beyond any other player that it may never be approached again.

Legacy as greatest hockey player endures

1999

Gretzky holds or shares 61 NHL records, including most career goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857). His dominance was such that he is universally known simply as 'The Great One,' widely regarded as the greatest hockey player ever.

Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

Nov 22, 1999

Just months after retiring, Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame without the customary waiting period, joining legends like Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr among the immortals.

Image source: Hockey Hall of Fame

Jersey number 99 retired league-wide

Feb 6, 2000

The NHL retired Gretzky's number 99 for all teams during the All-Star Game ceremonies in Toronto, making him the only player in league history to receive this unprecedented honor.

Image source: Vermont Catamounts women's ice hockey

Post-Playing Career

Becomes part-owner and head of Phoenix Coyotes

2000 - 2009

Gretzky became an alternate owner and later head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, serving as head coach from 2005 to 2009, though the franchise struggled financially during his tenure.

Image source: Arizona Coyotes

Executive director of Team Canada at 2002 Olympics

Feb 2002

Gretzky served as executive director of the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team, which won gold in Salt Lake City, ending a 50-year Olympic gold medal drought for Canada in men's hockey.

Image source: Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Coaches Team Canada at 2006 Olympics

Feb 2006

Gretzky served as executive director of Team Canada at the Turin Winter Olympics, where Canada finished seventh after being eliminated by Russia in the quarterfinals.

Image source: Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Named vice chairman of Edmonton Oilers

2016

Gretzky returned to the Oilers organization as vice chairman and alternate owner, reconnecting with the franchise where he built his legendary career and won four Stanley Cups.

Statue unveiled outside Rogers Place

Aug 27, 2021

A bronze statue honoring Gretzky was unveiled outside Rogers Place in Edmonton, commemorating his immense contributions to the Oilers franchise and the city of Edmonton.

Image source: Rogers Place

Key Facts

Wayne Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
He holds over 60 NHL records, including most career points (2,857) and most career assists (1,963).
Gretzky won four Stanley Cup championships with the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988).
He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player nine times.
Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999, immediately after his retirement, with the customary waiting period waived.

Source

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