Gretzky, Wayne (1961-…), became the greatest scorer in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL). During his 20-year career, Gretzky scored 2,857 points on 894 goals and 1,963 assists, all NHL records. Gretzky led the NHL in scoring 10 times and was named the league’s most valuable player 9 times. In the 1981-1982 season, Gretzky became the first player to score 200 points in one season. His 92 goals that year set another NHL record. In the 1985-1986 season, he scored 163 assists, another record. His 215 points that season set a scoring record. Gretzky also holds several playoff scoring records, including most points during a single year (47), set in 1985.
Gretzky was born on Jan. 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario. He holds dual Canadian and American citizenship. A center, he started his professional hockey career with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1978. He joined the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA later that year. After the 1978-1979 season, the WHA disbanded and the Oilers joined the NHL. In 1980—at age 19—Gretzky became the youngest player to receive the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988. Los Angeles traded him to the St. Louis Blues in 1996. After the end of the 1995-1996 season, Gretzky signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent. He retired as a player after the 1998-1999 regular season.
Gretzky was part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes (now the Utah Hockey Club) of the NHL from 2001 until 2009, when the NHL took over ownership of the franchise. He also served as the team’s head coach from 2005 to 2009. After leaving the Coyotes, Gretzky spent much of his time operating a restaurant and a wine company. From 2016 to 2021, Gretzky was the vice chairman of the Edmonton Oilers. In 2021, he became a television hockey analyst.
