Wayne Gretzky’s achievements
Wayne Gretzky.[Credit/Si.com]
He was born on 26th January 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. His parents are Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Hockin. He also has four siblings named; Kim, Brent, Keith and Glen Gretzky.
Gretzky has played for 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for four teams from the year 1979 to 1999.
Many sportswriters, players, the NHL itself and The Hockey News have named Wayne the greatest hockey player ever. He is nicknamed “the Great One”. This is based on extensive surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches.
The hockey icon is the leading goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in the history of the NHL. He also garnered more assists in his career than any other player.
Gretzky is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season. He accomplished the feat four times.
Moreover, Wayne tallied over 100 points in 16 professional seasons, 14 of them consecutive. By the time of his retirement in 1999, Gretzky held 61 NHL records. These included 40 regular-season records, 15 playoff records and 6 All-Star records.
Wayne the big hockey talent was the top scorer in the 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
In addition, he signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in June 1978. He played briefly there before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers.
“Gretzky’s trade to the Los Angeles Kings on August 9, 1988, had an immediate impact on the team’s performance, ultimately leading them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, and he is credited with popularizing hockey in California.”
Gretzky’s NHL career
After the folding of WHA in 1979, Wayne’s success was carried over into the NHL.
In his first NHL season between 1979 and 1980, Gretzky was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. This was the first of eight in a row.
“Although Gretzky played 79 games to Dionne’s 80, Dionne was awarded the Art Ross Trophy because he had scored more goals (53 to 51). The season still stands as the highest point total by a first-year player in NHL history. Gretzky became the youngest player to score 50 goals but was not eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the top NHL rookie, because of his previous year of WHA experience. The Calder was instead awarded to Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque. “
Gretzky’s career went on to blossom. He ended his professional career with the New York Rangers. This is where he played his final three seasons.
Wayne helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997.
The Rangers were defeated in the Conference Finals in five games by the Philadelphia Flyers, despite Gretzky leading the Rangers in the playoffs with 10 goals and 10 assists. For the first time in his NHL career, Gretzky was not named captain, although he briefly wore the captain’s “C” in 1998 when Captain Brian Leetch was injured and out of the line-up.
Wayne Gretzky’s net worth
Wayne Gretzky.[Credit/sportsnet.ca]
Reports indicate that he earned a total of $46 million in NHL salary.
Wayne Gretzky’s salary
Wayne’s NHL contract of over 16 years was worth $22.3 million as per the reports.
Wayne Gretzky’s endorsements
Gretzky has several lucrative endorsement deals.
“By 1995, he was ranked one of the top five highest-paid athlete endorsers in North America, thanks to his deals with major global brands.”
He dealt with brands like Coca-Cola, Domino’s pizza, Sharp Corporation, Upper Deck Company and Andrew Peller Ltd.
Also read: Phil Mickelson, the world’s second most paid golf player
Wayne Gretzky’s Foundation and Charity work
Wayne serves society with several charity works. He partners with Make-a-wish Foundation. The foundation helps grant the wishes of children living with life-threatening conditions such as cancer.
Wayne Gretzky’s family
The hockey star is married to Janet Jones since 1988. The two have five children named; Paulina, Emma, Ty, Tristan and Trevor Gretzky.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login