He began playing organized hockey
at the age of 6 (two years before he was technically eligible to play).
He gradually developed from 1 goal in his minor hockey rookie year, to
as high as 196 goals
and 76 assists in 1970-71 as a 9 and 10 year-old.
The Edmonton Oilers Years
Acquired: Signed a multiyear contract with the WHA Indianapolis
Racers as an underage junior in 1978.
Had three goals and three assists in eight games for the Racers before
being traded to the Edmonton Oilers with Peter Driscoll and Ed Mio for cash
and future considerations.
Had 43 goals and 61 assists in 72 regular-seasons games for Oilers and
10 goals and 10 assists in 13 playoff games. Named WHA Rookie of the Year and
second-team All-Star.
Reclaimed by Edmonton in 1979 as an underage junior prior to 1979
expansion draft.
Stayed: Nine seasons before being shipped to the Los Angeles
Kings, helping the Oilers to four Stanley Cups in five years. The Montreal
Canadiens victory in 1985-86 was the only interruption in the Oilers mid-80s
dynasty.
The Los Angeles Kings Years
Acquired: Traded from Edmonton to Los Angeles Kings on August 9,
1988 along with defenceman Marty McSorley and centre Mike Krushelnyski in
exchange for centre Jimmy Carson, left winger Martin Gelinas, the Kings'
first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993, as well as $15 million
Canadian.
Stayed: Seven and a half seasons before being shipped to the St.
Louis Blues. During his time in Los Angeles, he is generally credited with
raising hockey into the American mainstream, making hockey a popular place to
be seen for celebrities in Hollywood and establishing his legend as one of the
greatest athletes of all time. He led the Kings to the Stanley Cup finals in
1993, losing to the Montreal Canadiens four games to one.
The St. Louis Blues Years
Acquired: Traded from Los Angeles to St. Louis on February 27, 1996
for Roman Vopat and Patrice Tardif, centers; Craig Johnson, left wing; and a
1997 first-round draft choice.
Stayed: Less than a season with the Blues. Apparently a contract
was offered during the playoffs, but taken off the table, souring relations
between the Blues and Gretzky. Signed with the New York Rangers during the
off-season. The Blues were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round
during the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The New York Rangers Years
Acquired: Signed as a unrestricted free agent July 22, 1996.
Stayed: The Rangers won the Gretzky derby in part due to old
friend Mark Messier, captain of the Rangers. Gretzky is not the focal point of
the Rangers team - a first in his career.
When Messier left to join the Vancouver Canucks, Gretzky stepped up into
more of a leadership role in the 1997-98 season.
On April 16, 1999, Gretzky announced his retirement and played his last
game April 18, 1999 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He recorded one last
assist.
Playing for Team Canada
Gretzky has always been there for Team Canada. From Canada Cups to World
Championship tourneys after his team has been eliminated, The Great One has
been a leader and a champion.
But international play is not without its perils. In the 1991 Canada
Cup finals, Gretzky was hit from behind by Team USA's Gary Suter, hurting his
back. Back problems continue to bother him to this day.
The photo to the right is from the 1987 Canada Cup.
In 1998, he led the team to Nagano for the Winter Olympics. The Olympic
gold was to be the final feather in his cap, but the Canadian team came up
short in a semi-final shootout against an awesome Dominik Hasek and his Czech
Republic teammates.
The rest is history...from his junior days with the Soo
Greyhounds ...his pro beginnings in the WHA.
..4 Stanley Cups...countless records, awards...the big trade to the Kings..
.more records...today.
Wayne Gretzky, "The Great One" is arguably the best player ever, he has the stats to prove it!
Written by Michael Morley
Source of information: Wayne Gretzky: The Authorized Pictorial Biography by
Jim Taylor & Canoe Limited Partnership
