Wayne Gretzky facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wayne Gretzky CC
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1999
Gretzky in 2019
Born	(1961-01-26) January 26, 1961 (age 65) Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Indianapolis Racers Edmonton Oilers Los Angeles Kings St. Louis Blues New York Rangers
Coached for	Phoenix Coyotes
National team	Canada
Playing career	1978–1999
Coaching career	2005–2009

Wayne Douglas Gretzky (born January 26, 1961) is a famous Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He played for 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to 1999. People often call him "the Great One" because many hockey experts believe he is the best player ever.

Gretzky holds many NHL records. He scored more points and made more assists than any other player in NHL history. He is the only player to score over 200 points in a single season, which he did four times! When he retired in 1999, he held 61 NHL records.

His Amazing Start in Hockey

Wayne Gretzky was born and grew up in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He learned to play hockey on a rink his dad, Walter, made in their backyard. This rink was nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum." Walter taught Wayne and his brothers special drills to improve their skills.

Gretzky's first pair of skates at the Hockey Hall of Fame, worn when he was three years old

Wayne was a very special player from a young age. He often played with kids much older than him. His first coach noticed that Wayne handled the puck better than ten-year-olds when Wayne was only six. By age ten, he had scored an amazing 378 goals in just one season!

Because of his incredible talent, Wayne sometimes faced pressure from other parents. When he was 14, his family decided he should move to Toronto to play hockey. This helped him continue to develop his skills. He even played in a league with 20-year-olds when he was only 15.

Wayne first wore the number 99 on his jersey when he played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He wanted number 9, like his hero Gordie Howe, but it was already taken. His coach suggested he wear 99, and it became his famous number.

Joining Professional Hockey

In 1978, Wayne started his professional career in the World Hockey Association (WHA). This league was competing with the NHL at the time. He first played for the Indianapolis Racers for a short time. Then, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers.

In 1979, the WHA and NHL merged. The Edmonton Oilers, along with a few other teams, joined the NHL. This meant Gretzky would now play in the biggest hockey league in the world.

Becoming an NHL Superstar with the Oilers

When Gretzky joined the NHL, some people wondered if he was too small to succeed. But he quickly proved them wrong! In his first NHL season (1979–80), he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player. He also tied for the scoring lead with 137 points.

A statue of Gretzky lifting the Stanley Cup outside Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Gretzky continued to break records. In his second season, he set new records for assists (102) and points (164) in a season. During the 1981–82 season, he scored 50 goals in just 39 games, which was incredibly fast! He finished that season with 92 goals, 120 assists, and 212 points, becoming the only player in NHL history to score over 200 points in a season.

The Edmonton Oilers became a very strong team with Gretzky as their captain. They had many talented players, including future Hall of Famers like Mark Messier and Paul Coffey. The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1983 and won their first Stanley Cup in 1984. They went on to win three more Stanley Cups with Gretzky in 1985, 1987, and 1988.

The "Gretzky Rule"

In 1985, the NHL made a rule change that became known as "the Gretzky rule." This rule changed how penalties were handled. Gretzky and the Oilers were very good at scoring when both teams had fewer players on the ice due to penalties. The new rule made it harder for teams to gain an advantage in those situations.

The Big Trade to Los Angeles

After winning the Stanley Cup in 1988, Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. This was a huge surprise and made many Canadians upset. People even burned an effigy (a dummy) of the Oilers' owner outside the arena.

When Gretzky first played in Edmonton after the trade, fans gave him a long standing ovation. He told everyone, "I'm still proud to be a Canadian. I didn't desert my country. I moved because I was traded and that's where my job is. But I'm Canadian to the core."

A statue of Gretzky outside Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Kings.

Gretzky's move to Los Angeles had a big impact. He helped make hockey much more popular in California and other parts of the United States where hockey wasn't traditionally followed. The Kings started selling out games, and new NHL teams were even created in California during his time there.

With the Kings, Gretzky led them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in their history. They lost to the Montreal Canadiens, but it was still a memorable run.

Later Career and Retirement

After playing for the Kings, Gretzky briefly played for the St. Louis Blues in 1996. He then finished his career with the New York Rangers, where he rejoined his former Oilers teammate Mark Messier. He helped the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997.

Gretzky with the New York Rangers in 1997

In 1999, Gretzky announced his retirement from professional hockey. His last NHL game was on April 18, 1999, at Madison Square Garden. During the game, the national anthems were even changed slightly to honor him. He ended his career with one final assist.

Playing for Team Canada

Gretzky also had a great international career playing for Team Canada.

• He led the 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in scoring at just 16 years old, helping Canada win a bronze medal.
• He won three Canada Cup tournaments with Team Canada in 1984, 1987, and 1991.
• One of his most famous international moments was in the 1987 Canada Cup final. He made a game-winning pass to Mario Lemieux in overtime against the Soviet Union, which is still remembered as a legendary play.
• Gretzky played in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan, which was the first time NHL players could participate. Canada did not win a medal that year.

Gretzky's Unique Skills

Wayne Gretzky wasn't the biggest or strongest player, but he was known as the smartest player in hockey history.

• Amazing Vision: He could always tell where the puck was going and where his teammates and opponents were on the ice. People said he had "eyes in the back of his head."
• Great Passer: He was an incredible passer, often setting up his teammates for goals.
• Sneaky Shot: When defenders focused on his passing, he would surprise them with his fast and accurate shots. Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast" because they were hard to predict.
• Avoiding Hits: Gretzky learned how to avoid big hits from playing box lacrosse as a kid. This helped him stay safe and healthy throughout his career.
• Stamina: He had amazing energy and could play hard for the entire game, often scoring many goals in the third period.

Life After Playing Hockey

After retiring, Wayne Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. The NHL also retired his famous number 99 across the entire league, meaning no other player can ever wear it.

Gretzky's star on Canada's Walk of Fame. He received the honour in 2002.

• Coaching: From 2005 to 2009, Gretzky was the head coach for the Phoenix Coyotes (now the Arizona Coyotes). He also served as an executive director for the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics and 2006 Winter Olympics. Canada won a gold medal in 2002.
• Olympic Cauldron: In 2010, Gretzky was one of the people who lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
• Business and Philanthropy: Gretzky has been involved in many business ventures, including owning junior hockey and Canadian Football League teams, and opening a winery and restaurants. He also co-founded the Wayne Gretzky Foundation to help young people play hockey.
• Hockey Analyst: Since 2021, Gretzky has worked as a studio analyst for NHL broadcasts on Turner Sports.

Gretzky's Legacy

Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time. He holds many records that may never be broken.

• He won nine Hart Trophies (MVP award).
• He won 10 Art Ross Trophies (most points in a season).
• He won four Stanley Cup championships with the Edmonton Oilers.
• His 894 goals, 1,963 assists, and 2,857 total points are all NHL career records.

Gretzky has received many honors, including being appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, which is one of Canada's highest civilian honors. He continues to be a role model for young athletes around the world.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Figures in boldface italics are NHL records.

International

All-Star games

Head coaching record

See also

In Spanish: Wayne Gretzky para niños