Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian former ice hockey player. He was born in Brantford, Ontario, in 1961. He holds more records than any other player in NHL history. He is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time.

Early Life

Gretzky started skating at age two on a backyard rink his father built. By age six, he was playing against 10-year-olds. He was so good that he scored 378 goals in one season as a child. He joined professional hockey at age 17.

Wayne Gretzky's very first pair of skates, worn at age three.
Wayne Gretzky's very first pair of skates, worn at age three. (Resolute / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. He scored 894 goals and had 2,857 career points, both all-time records. He won the MVP award nine times. His number 99 was retired by the entire NHL, meaning no player can ever wear it again.

Fun Facts

  • Gretzky scored 378 goals in one season when he was 10 years old.
  • His number 99 is retired across the entire NHL.
  • He is the only player to score over 200 points in a single NHL season, and he did it four times.

Did You Know?

If you took away all of Gretzky's goals, he would still be the all-time points leader in the NHL based on his assists alone. That is how far ahead of everyone else he was.