Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky, born in Brantford, Ontario, on January 26, 1961, is widely acknowledged as the greatest hockey player of all time. Nicknamed "The Great One," he is the NHL’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points, with 894 goals, 2,857 points in 1,487 games.

He has more career assists than any other player has points, and at the time of his retirement, he held 61 NHL records. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 1999, becoming the tenth and final player to bypass the three-year waiting period.

His jersey number 99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.

Wayne Gretzky’s Hockey Career

As the NHL did not allow the signing of players under the age of 20, Wayne Gretzky started playing in the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1978.

Gretzky, only 17 at the time, signed a seven-year contract with the Indianapolis Racers. Just a few games into his Racers career, he moved to the Edmonton Oilers.

In 1979, the Oilers joined the NHL as an expansion franchise, and in his very first NHL season, Gretzky won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. Gretzky went on to win the award eight times in a row. Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career lasted until 1999, and during those 20 seasons, he won nine Hart Trophies, ten Art Ross Trophies for most points in a season, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, and four Stanley Cups.

Gretzky is most remembered for his years with the Edmonton Oilers, a team he captained from 1983 to 1988.

Wayne Gretzky’s Trade to the LA Kings

Against Wayne Gretzky’s initial wishes, he was traded to the LA Kings in 1988, in one of the most controversial and significant trades the NHL has ever seen. Gretzky negotiated for his teammates Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski to join him as teammates in Los Angeles, and on August 9, 1988, the trade was announced.

The Oilers received Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991, and 1993 in exchange for Gretzky and his two teammates.

Wayne Gretzky retired in 1999

After playing with the Edmonton Oilers and the LA Kings, Wayne Gretzky also played for the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers before his retirement. Wayne Gretzky played his final game on April 18, 1999, at Madison Square Garden. Despite both teams involved, the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, being American, the Canadian national anthem was played and sung by Bryan Adams. Gretzky assisted on the lone Rangers goal, scored by Brian Leetch, in a 2-1 overtime loss.

Wayne Gretzky wore No. 99 to honor Gordie Howe

Aged 16, playing with the Saulte Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Gretzky wanted to wear number 9 to honor his big idol Gordie Howe. But the number was taken by a teammate named Brian Gualazzi. Instead, after a coach's suggestion, Gretzky decided to wear No. 99, which he did for the reminder of his career.

Wayne Gretzky’s Coaching Career

In May 2000, Wayne Gretzky agreed to buy a 10% stake in the Phoenix Coyotes, in a partnership with majority owner Steve Ellman. Gretzky took on the roles of alternate governor, managing partner, and head of hockey operations.

In 2005, he appointed himself as the head coach of the team, and on October 5 that year, he made his coaching debut. On September 24, 2009, Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations. During Gretzky’s coaching tenure, the Coyotes never reached the playoffs.

Wayne Gretzky doesn't own the Oilers

In October 2016, Wayne Gretzky returned to the Edmonton Oilers as a partner and vice-chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group.

Five years later, in May 2021, he stepped down from his role with the Oilers, stating he would not "be able to dedicate the time or effort needed to support this world-class organization."

Wayne Gretzky on TV

Not long after leaving the Oilers, he was announced as an analyst for NHL on TNT, working alongside Paul Bissonnette and Anson Carter. Later, analysts like Henrik Lundqvist and Keith Yandle joined the broadcast.

Wayne Gretzky’s Family

Wayne Gretzky grew up with his mother, Phyllis Leone, and father, Walter Gretzky. Wayne was one of five children, with his sister, Kim, and brothers, Keith, Glen, and Brent, who also played in the NHL for a brief time.

Wayne Gretzky met actress Janet Jones for the first time while filming the TV show "Dance Fever," and they became a couple in 1987.

In 1988, Gretzky proposed, and that summer, they were married in Edmonton. Wayne and Janet have five children: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. Paulina Gretzky is married to major-winning golfer Dustin Johnson.