Wayne Gretzky

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Lore & Background

Gretzky's time with the Edmonton Oilers began after his contract rights were purchased from the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association for a widely accepted total of $850,000, not via a trade involving players. On November 2, following a private plane flight where the destination remained unknown until landing, Gretzky joined the Oilers along with goaltender Eddie Mio and forward Peter Driscoll. Over the next decade, he established himself as the league's premier scorer, guiding the team to four Stanley Cup titles. His leadership was defined by his unique ability to set up plays from behind the opponent's net, an area fans dubbed "Gretzky's office." During these ten seasons, he accumulated a staggering array of individual awards, including seven Art Ross Trophies for leading the league in points and multiple Hart Trophies as the most valuable player. The Oilers became a dynasty under his watch, setting many scoring records that still stand today.

In Their Own Story

The journey to Edmonton began on June 12, 1978, when 17-year-old Gretzky signed a seven-year personal services contract worth US$1.75 million with the Indianapolis Racers. However, the franchise was losing $40,000 per game. On November 2, Skalbania arranged a trade that saw Gretzky, Mio, and Driscoll board a private plane without knowing their final destination. They were traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Once in Edmonton, Gretzky immediately began setting records. He became known for his specific playstyle: dodging checks from larger opponents and consistently anticipating where the puck would go rather than chasing it. His father Walter's advice to "skate where the puck's going, not where it's been" became the foundation of his game. This approach led him to total over 200 points in a single season four times, a feat no other player has matched.

Reader's Guide

For fans following Gretzky's career with the Edmonton Oilers, understanding his jersey number is essential. He originally wanted to wear number 9 for his hero Gordie Howe while playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, but it was taken by teammate Brian Gualazzi. At coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, he chose 99. This number became so iconic that upon his retirement in 1999, the NHL retired jersey number 99 league-wide, making him the only player with this distinction. His time in Edmonton is also defined by his statistical dominance; he led the league in assists 16 times and goal-scoring five times. Even after leaving for the Los Angeles Kings in a trade that marked the end of an era, his impact on the Oilers remained permanent. The team's identity was built on his ability to score more than 100 points in 15 seasons and his role as the sole player to ever exceed 200 points in one season.

Did You Know?

• Gretzky originally wanted to wear number 9 for Gordie Howe while playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, but teammate Brian Gualazzi already had it, so he chose 99.
• He is the only NHL player in history to total over 200 points in a single season, achieving this feat four times.
• Gretzky has more career assists than any other player has total career points.
• He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame immediately upon retirement in 1999, after the Hall of Fame committee waived the standard waiting period.
• As a child playing against ten-year-olds at age six, Gretzky tugged his oversized sweaters into his pants on the right side to fit them properly.

The Statistical Anomaly of 'The Great One'

Wayne Douglas Gretzky stands alone in NHL history with records that define offensive excellence. He is the leading career point scorer and assist producer, holding more assists than any other player has total career points. His dominance during his ten seasons with the Edmonton Oilers included being the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times. Additionally, he scored more than 100 points in 15 professional seasons. At retirement, he held 61 NHL records: 40 regular season, 15 playoff, and six All-Star records. His individual accolades with the Oilers included nine Hart Trophies as MVP, 10 Art Ross Trophies for most points, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, and five Lester B. Pearson Awards. He led the league in goal-scoring five times and assists 16 times.

The Architect of Backyard Brilliance

Wayne Gretzky's skills were honed on a backyard rink in Brantford, Ontario, constructed by his father Walter and nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum." Drills included skating around bleach bottles and flipping pucks over scattered sticks. Despite his lack of size, Gretzky's intelligence and reading of the game were unrivaled. He learned to anticipate play and execute moves at the right time, often setting up behind the opponent's net in an area nicknamed "Gretzky's office." As a prodigy playing against ten-year-olds at age six, he wore oversized sweaters tucked into his pants on the right side, a habit he kept throughout his NHL career. By age 10, he had scored 378 goals and 139 assists in one season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers. His talent was so overwhelming that it drew negative attention from other parents, eventually leading his family to move him to Toronto at age 14.

A Dynasty of Cups and Cross-Country Expansion

After signing with the Indianapolis Racers in 1978, Gretzky played only eight games before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers on November 2. Over the next ten seasons in Edmonton, he led the team to four Stanley Cup championships and set numerous scoring records. His departure to the Los Angeles Kings for eight seasons marked a shift in his career, where he led them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final and is credited with popularizing hockey in California. Before finishing his career with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, Gretzky's time in Edmonton defined an era of dominance. He won nine Hart Trophies, ten Art Ross Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies, and five Lester B. Pearson Awards during his playing days. His ability to lead teams deep into the playoffs while breaking records demonstrated a versatility that transcended statistics.

Post-Retirement Influence and Institutional Honors

Upon retiring in 1999, Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, waiving the usual waiting period. The NHL retired his jersey number 99 league-wide. He was voted to the International Ice Hockey Federation's Centennial All-Star Team and inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000. His involvement continued as executive director for the Canadian national team during the 2002 Winter Olympics, where they won gold. In 2000, he became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, becoming head coach after the 2004–05 lockout before resigning in 2009 following bankruptcy. In October 2016, he returned to the Oilers as a minority partner and vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group, leaving in 2021 to become an analyst for Turner Sports.