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Wayne Gretzky Biography

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Wayne Gretzky

Birthdate:   January 26, 1961
Category: Sports

Professional hockey player. Born January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. One of the most famous players of all time, Wayne Gretzky set 61 National Hockey League scoring records and played in 18 All-Star games in his 21-year career. His uniquely smart and elegant playing style redefined the image of a great hockey champion, and his retirement in 1999 marked the end of an era in the sport. Gretzky began skating when he was about three years old. His father, Walter—a former amateur hockey player and his eldest son’s dedicated first coach—flooded the backyard with water to create a makeshift ice rink, stringing lights up around it so the young Gretzky could skate at night. At age six, Gretzky began playing on the Brantford Novice All-Star team, outplaying many of the older boys in the Bantam League. As the only Canadian representative in the Junior World Cup tournament held in Montreal in 1977, Gretzky was the youngest player and the leading scorer. He turned pro the next year, making his debut with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Assocation. In late 1978, his contract was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, one of the more successful teams in the failing WHA. When the NHL merged with the WHA at the beginning of the next season, Gretzky became the league’s youngest MVP ever, as well as the youngest player to score 50 or more goals and 100 or more points in a single season. Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup Championships during the 1980s. In his best season, 1981-82, he scored 92 goals—still an NHL record. When he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, it became somewhat of a national tragedy in his native Canada. His career continued throughout the next decade with the Kings, the St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers. Known as “the Great One,” or “the Great Gretzky,” he became by far the most recognizable player in hockey and helped spread the sport’s popularity into previously unreached corners of the United States, including Southern California and Florida. In April 1999, Gretzky hung up his skates after 21 years as a professional. His incredible number of accolades include career and single game records in goals, assists, and points. As Canada’s Prime Minister Jean Chrétein put it: “This is truly a bittersweet moment….We can take heart from the endless, magical memories [Gretzky] has given us.” In November 1999, after a waiving of the mandatory three-year waiting period, the Great One was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame. Gretzky is married to Janet Jones, an actress. They have three children.




Resume:

Wayne Gretzky

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Records

 Gretzky Records
 By The Associated Press
 NHL records owned or shared by Wayne Gretzky:

 NHL Records Held or Shared
 Through April 15, 1999
 Career
 Regular Season
 NHL goals -- 894.
 Assists -- 1,962.
 Points -- 2,856.
 Goals by a center -- 894.
 Points by a center -- 2,856.
 Assists by a center -- 1,962.
 Assists-per-game average (300-or-more assists) -- 1.32.
 Games, three-or-more goals -- 50.
 Overtime assists -- 15.
 Goals, including playoffs -- 1,016 (894 regular season and 122 playoff).
 Assists, including playoffs -- 2,222 (1,962 regular season, 260 playoff).
 Points, including playoffs -- 3,238 (2,856 regular season and 382 playoff).
 Hat tricks -- 50.
 40-or-more goal seasons -- 12.
 50-or-more goal seasons -- 9.
 60-or-more goal seasons -- 5.
 100-or-more point seasons -- 15.
 Consecutive 40-or-more goal seasons -- 12.
 Consecutive 60-or-more goal seasons -- 4.
 Consecutive 100-or-more point seasons -- 13.
 Playoffs
 Points -- 382 (122 goals, 260 assists in 208 games).
 Goals -- 122.
 Assists -- 260.
 Game-winning goals -- 24.
 Three-or-more goal games -- 10 in 16 seasons.
 ------
 Single Season
 Goals -- 92 in 1981-82 (80-game schedule).
 Assists -- 163 in 1985-86 (80-game schedule).
 Points -- 215 in 1985-86 (80-game schedule).
 Goals by a center -- 92 in 1981-82.
 Assists by a center -- 163 in 1985-86.
 Points by a center -- 215 in 1985-86.
 Three-or-more goal games -- 10 in 1981-82, 1983-84.
 Goals per-game-average -- 1.18 in 1983-84 (87 goals in 74 games).
 Assists per-game-average -- 2.04 in 1985-86.
 Point-per-game average -- 2.77 in 1983-84.
 Goals, including playoffs -- 100 in 1983-84.
 Assists, including playoffs -- 174 in 1985-86.
 Points, including playoffs -- 255 in 1984-85.
 Goals, minimum 50 games, from start of a season -- 61 in 1981-82, 1983-84.
 Consecutive point-scoring streak -- 51 games in 1983-84.
 Consecutive point-scoring streak from the start of a season -- 51 games in 1983-84.
 Consecutive assist-scoring streak -- 23 games in 1990-91 (48 assists).
 Fastest 50 goals from start of season -- 39 games in 1981-82.
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 Single Game
 Assists (tied) -- 7 (vs. Washington, Feb. 15, 1980; at Chicago, Dec. 11, 1985; vs. Quebec, Feb. 14, 1986).
 Assists, road game (tied) -- 7 at Chicago, Dec. 11, 1985.
 Assists by a player in first NHL season -- 7, vs. Washington, Feb. 15, 1980.
 Goals, one period (tied) -- 4 vs. St. Louis, Feb. 18, 1981.
 ------
 Single-Game Highs
 Points -- 8 (twice); Last: January 4, 1984 vs. Minnesota.
 Goals -- 5 (four times); Last: December 6, 1987 vs. Minnesota.
 ------
 Playoffs
 Single Year
 Points -- 47 in 1985 (17 goals, 30 assists).
 Assists -- 31 in 1988 (19 games).
 Single Series
 Points, one final series -- 13 in 1988 vs. Boston.
 Assists in final series -- 10 in 1988 vs. Boston.
 Assists in one series, other than final (tied) -- 14 in 1985 conference finals vs. Chicago.
 Single Game
 Shorthanded goals -- 2, April 6, 1983 vs. Winnipeg.
 Assists -- 6, April 9, 1987 vs. Los Angeles.
 Single Period
 Assists -- 3 (five times).
 Points -- 4 (one goal, three assists, 3rd period), April 12, 1987 vs. Los Angeles.
 ------
 All-Star Game
 (18 games)
 Goals, career -- 13.
 Assists, career -- 12.
 Points, career -- 25.
 Goals, one game -- 4 in 1983 at Uniondale, N.Y.
 Goals, one period -- 4 in third period, 1983 at Uniondale, N.Y.
 Points, one period -- 4 in 1983 at Uniondale, N.Y.
 ------
 Awards
 Hart Trophy (most valuable player, regular season) -- 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989
 Art Ross Trophy (leader in points, regular season) -- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994
 Lady Byng Trophy (most sportsmanlike player) -- 1980, 1991, 1992, 1994
 Conn Smythe Trophy (most valuable player, Stanley Cup playoffs) -- 1985, 1988
 Lester B. Pearson Award (NHLPA most outstanding player of the league) -- 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987
 ------
 Gretzky-Goal Dates
 Oct. 14, 1979 -- First goal against Glen Hanlon of the Vancouver Canucks.
 Feb. 18, 1981 -- Five goals against Mike Liut and Ed Staniowski of the St. Louis Blues, including record-tying four in third period.
 March 7, 1981 -- 100th into empty-net goal against the Philadelphia Flyers, one of four that night.
 Dec. 30, 1981 -- Five goals against the Philadelphia Flyers to become the first player in 57 years to record two five-goal games.
 Feb. 24, 1982 -- Scores his 77th of the season against Don Edwards of the Buffalo Sabres to eclipse Phil Esposito's single-season mark.
 Oct. 9, 1982 -- 200th against Richard Brodeur of the Vancouver Canucks.
 Dec. 13, 1983 -- 300th against Billy Smith of the New York Islanders.
 Dec. 15, 1984 -- Five goals against Rick Wamsley and Mike Liut of St. Louis Blues to become the second player and first in 64 years to post three five-goal games.
 Jan. 13, 1985 -- 400th against Tom Barrasso of the Buffalo Sabres.
 Nov. 22, 1986 -- 500th into an empty-net goal against the Vancouver Canucks.
 Oct. 14, 1987 -- 545th against Mike Vernon of the Calgary Flames to pass Maurice "Rocket" Richard.
 Dec. 6, 1987 -- Five goals against Don Beaupre and Kari Takko of the Minnesota North Stars.
 Jan. 30, 1988 -- 574th against Mike Liut of the Hartford Whalers to pass Mike Bossy for fifth place.
 Nov. 23, 1988 -- 600th against Greg Stefan of the Detroit Red Wings.
 Dec. 23, 1988 -- 611th -- second of two empty-net goals against the Vancouver Canucks -- to pass Bobby Hull for fourth place.
 Jan. 3, 1991 -- 700th against Glenn Healy of the New York Islanders.
 March 28, 1991 -- 718th against Jon Casey of the Minnesota North Stars to pass Phil Esposito for third place.
 Dec. 21, 1991 -- 732nd against Tim Cheveldae of the Detroit Red Wings to pass Marcel Dionne for second place.
 March 20, 1994 -- 800th and 801st against Arturs Irbe of San Jose Sharks to tie Gordie Howe for NHL record.
 March 23, 1994 -- 802nd against Kirk McLean of Vancouver Canucks to pass Gordie Howe for NHL record.

Trevor's Homepage

Wayne Gretzky Career Stats


Final statistics
Season, Team GP G A Pts
1979-80, Edm-ac 79 51 86 137
1980-81, Edm-ab 80 55 109 164
1981-82, Edm-abd 80 92 120 212
1982-83, Edm-abd 80 71 125 196
1983-84, Edm-abd 74 87 118 205
1984-85, Edm-abd 80 73 135 208
1985-86, Edm-ab 80 52 163 215
1986-87, Edm-abd 79 62 121 183
1987-88, Edm 64 40 109 149
1988-89, LA-a 78 54 114 168
1989-90, LA-b 73 40 102 142
1990-91, LA-bc 78 41 122 163
1991-92, LA-c 74 31 90 121
1992-93, LA 45 16 49 65
1993-94, LA-bc 81 38 92 130
1994-95, LA 48 11 37 48
1995-96, LA-StL 80 23 79 102
1996-97, NYR 82 25 72 97
1997-98, NYR 82 23 67 90
1998-99, NYR 70 9 53 62
Totals 1487 894 1963 2857


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 a-won Hart Trophy as league's Most Valuable Player.
 b-won Art Ross Trophy as league's highest scorer.
 c-won Lady Byng as most gentlemanly player.
 d-won Lester Pearson award as NHL's outstanding player.


Wayne Gretzky Playoff Statistics

Season, Team GP G A Pts
1979-80, Edm 3 2 1 3
1980-81, Edm 9 7 14 21
1981-82, Edm 5 5 7 12
1982-83, Edm 16 12 26 38
1983-84, Edm-y 19 13 22 35
1984-85, Edm-yz 18 17 30 47
1985-86, Edm 10 8 11 19
1986-87, Edm-y 21 5 29 34
1987-88, Edm-yz 19 12 31 43
1988-89, LA 11 5 17 22
1989-90, LA 7 3 7 10
1990-91, LA 12 4 11 15
1991-92, LA 6 2 5 7
1992-93, LA 24 15 25 40
1995-96, StL 13 2 14 16
1996-97, NYR 15 10 10 20
Totals 208 122 260 382


 y-won Stanley Cup
 z-won Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup playoffs.


Wayne Gretzky All-Star Statistics

YEAR GOALS ASST POINTS
1980 0 0 0
1981 0 1 1
1982 1 0 1
1983-x 4 0 4
1984 1 0 1
1985 1 0 1
1986 1 0 1
1988 1 0 1
1989-x 1 2 3
1990 0 0 0
1991 1 0 1
1992 1 2 3
1993 0 0 0
1994 0 2 2
1996 0 0 0
1997 0 1 1
1998 0 2 2
1999-x 1 2 3
Totals 13 12 25

 NOTE: x-Chosen MVP; There was no game in 1987 because Rendez-Vous 87, a two-game series between Team NHL and the Soviet Union, replaced the All-Star game. There was no game in 1995 due to the owners' lockout.

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