View source for Wayne Gretzky

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1961)}}
{{redirect|Gretzky|other people with the same name and other uses|Gretzky (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use Canadian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Wayne Gretzky<br />{{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CC}}
| halloffame = 1999
| image = Andrew Scheer with Wayne Gretzky (48055697168) (cropped).jpg 
| alt = Middle-aged man with brown-grey hair wearing a dark blue jacket and a light blue dress shirt
| caption = Gretzky in June 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|1|26}}
| birth_place = [[Brantford]], Ontario, Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 185
| position = [[Centre (ice hockey)|Centre]]
| shoots = Left
| played_for = {{Plain list|
* [[Indianapolis Racers]]
* [[Edmonton Oilers]]
* [[Los Angeles Kings]]
* [[St. Louis Blues]]
* [[New York Rangers]]
}}
| coached_for = [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]]
| ntl_team = Canada
| career_start = 1978
| career_end = 1999
| career_start_coach = 2005
| career_end_coach = 2009
| website = {{Official website|http://www.gretzky.com}}
}}
{{Wayne Gretzky series}}

'''Wayne Douglas Gretzky''' {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CC}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|ɛ|t|s|k|i}} {{respell|GRET|skee}}; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] player and former [[head coach]]. He played 20 seasons in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999, retiring at the age of 38. Nicknamed "'''the Great One'''",<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne Gretzky finally explains meaning behind 'The Great One' nickname |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |date=May 21, 2014 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nbc-yahoo-sports/wayne-gretzky-finally-explains-meaning-behind--the-great-one--nickname-165818064.html |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015013641/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nbc-yahoo-sports/wayne-gretzky-finally-explains-meaning-behind--the-great-one--nickname-165818064.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he has been called the greatest ice hockey player ever by the NHL<ref name="Greatest"/> based on extensive surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kay|first=Jason|author2=Ken Campbell |author3=Adam Proteau |title =The Hockey News – The Top 60 Since 1967|publisher=[[Transcontinental Books]]| year =2007|location=Montreal| page =15| isbn=978-0-9738355-4-0}}</ref> Gretzky is the leading career goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in NHL history,<ref name="stubbs">{{cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Dave |title=Wayne Gretzky: 100 Greatest NHL Players |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-285574558?tid=283865022 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 27, 2018 |date=January 1, 2017 |archive-date=December 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208091729/https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-285574558?tid=283865022 |url-status=live }}</ref> and has more career assists than any other player has total points. He is the only NHL player to total over 200&nbsp;points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times. In addition, Gretzky tallied over 100&nbsp;points in 15 professional seasons, 13 of them consecutively. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he [[List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky|held 61 NHL records]]: 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 [[NHL All-Star Game|All-Star]] records.<ref name="Greatest">For his titles, see {{cite web |url=http://www.ualbertacentennial.ca/achievements/degrees/2000.html |title=University of Alberta: Honorary Degree Recipients (2000–2007) |website=Ualbertacentennial.ca |year=2000 |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030555/http://www.ualbertacentennial.ca/achievements/degrees/2000.html |url-status=live }}
* That he's regarded as the best player in the history of the NHL, see {{cite encyclopedia |title=Wayne Gretzky |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9001584/Wayne-Gretzky |access-date=June 10, 2008 |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726035200/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9001584/Wayne-Gretzky |url-status=live }}
* That he's regarded as the greatest by many sportswriters, see {{Cite book |last=Falla |first=Jack |chapter=The Greatest One Bar None |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7710-4175-4 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |page=16}}
* That many players share the view, see {{cite news |last=Maloney |first=Tom |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1159670,00.html |title=Gretzky's Awkward Arrival |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=February 15, 2006 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |archive-date=August 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823150141/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1159670,00.html |url-status=dead }}
* That the NHL shares the view, see {{cite book |last=Falla |first=Jack |editor=Dan Diamond |chapter-url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |chapter=Wayne Gretzky: Greatness Ascendant |title=Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League |publisher=Total Sports |isbn=978-1-892129-85-7 |year=2000 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111345/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |url-status=live }}
* For the records he held at retirement, see {{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384583 |title=NHL Records Held or Shared by Wayne Gretzky |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117175833/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384583 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Born and raised in [[Brantford]], Ontario, Gretzky honed his skills on a backyard rink and regularly played [[List of ice hockey leagues#Amateur|minor hockey]] at a level far above his peers.<ref name="Young">{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014218.html |title='Great' and 'Gretzky' belong together |work=ESPN |access-date=October 4, 2006 |archive-date=July 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719224831/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014218.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite his unimpressive size and strength, Gretzky's intelligence, stamina, and reading of the game were unrivaled. He was adept at dodging checks from opposing players, consistently anticipated where the puck was going to be, and executed the right move at the right time. Gretzky became known for setting up behind his opponent's net, an area that was nicknamed "Gretzky's office".<ref name="sptimes.com">{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Tim |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/03/hockeyschool/graphic.shtml |title=Gretzky's office |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |access-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522144513/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/03/hockeyschool/graphic.shtml |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Gretzky was the top scorer in the [[1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1978 World Junior Championships]]. In June 1978, he signed with the [[Indianapolis Racers]] of the [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA), where he briefly played before being traded to the [[Edmonton Oilers]]. When the WHA folded, the Oilers joined the NHL, where he established many scoring records and led his team to four [[Stanley Cup]] championships. Gretzky's trade to the [[Los Angeles Kings]] on August 9, 1988, had an immediate impact on that team's performance, ultimately leading them to the [[1993 Stanley Cup Finals]], and he is credited with popularizing hockey in California.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Kevin |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2008-08-07-gretzky-trade-anniversary_N.htm |title=Gretzky trade remembered for 'seismic impact' |work=USA Today |date=August 10, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608202541/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2008-08-07-gretzky-trade-anniversary_N.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Gretzky played briefly for the [[St. Louis Blues]] before finishing his career with the [[New York Rangers]]. Gretzky captured nine [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophies]] as the most valuable player, 10 [[Art Ross Trophy|Art Ross Trophies]] for most [[point (ice hockey)|points]] in a season, two [[Conn Smythe Trophy|Conn Smythe Trophies]] as playoff MVP and five Lester B. Pearson Awards (now called the [[Ted Lindsay Award]]) for most outstanding player as judged by his peers. He led the league in goal-scoring five times and assists 16 times. He also won the [[Lady Byng Memorial Trophy]] for sportsmanship and performance five times and often spoke out against [[Fighting in ice hockey|fighting in hockey]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/getting-rid-of-hockeys-goons/article4403671/ |title=Getting rid of hockey's goons |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |date=September 2, 2011 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |quote=Once upon a time, Wayne Gretzky opposed fighting in hockey as passionately as Sinden, suggesting soon after he arrived in Los Angeles that hockey would never be a mainstream sport as long as fighting was condoned the way it was. Ultimately, as Gretzky's voice was ignored for years and years, he stopped contributing to the conversation. People can only be shouted down for so long before they figure it's somebody else's turn to carry the torch. |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152824/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/getting-rid-of-hockeys-goons/article4403671/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

After his retirement in [[1998–99 NHL season|1999]], Gretzky was immediately inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], making him the most recent player to have the waiting period waived. The NHL [[List of NHL retired numbers|retired]] his [[jersey number]] 99 league-wide. Gretzky was one of six players voted to the [[International Ice Hockey Federation]]'s (IIHF) [[IIHF Centennial All-Star Team|Centennial All-Star Team]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webarchive.iihf.com/100-years/100-years-of-ice-hockey/home/centennial-all-star-team/ |title=IIHF Centennial All-Star Team |website=iihf.com |publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216201344/http://webarchive.iihf.com/100-years/100-years-of-ice-hockey/home/centennial-all-star-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was inducted into the [[IIHF Hall of Fame]] in 2000, and received the [[Order of Hockey in Canada]] in 2012. Gretzky became executive director for the [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canadian national men's hockey team]] during the [[2002 Winter Olympics]], in which the team won a gold medal. In [[1999–2000 NHL season|2000]], he became part-owner of the [[Phoenix Coyotes]], and following the [[2004–05 NHL lock-out]], he became the team's head coach. In 2004, Gretzky was inducted into the [[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wayne Gretzky |url=http://oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/34-wayne-gretzky |website=oshof.ca |publisher=Ontario Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228125457/http://www.oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/34-wayne-gretzky |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2009, following the [[Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy and sale|Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy]], Gretzky resigned as head coach and relinquished his ownership share. In October 2016, he returned to the Oilers as a minority partner and vice-chairman of their parent company, [[Oilers Entertainment Group]]. He left in 2021 to become an analyst on [[Warner Bros. Discovery Sports|Turner Sports]]' [[NHL on TNT|NHL coverage]].

==Early life==
Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in [[Brantford]], Ontario, the son of Phyllis Leone (Hockin) and [[Walter Gretzky]].<ref name="Young"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Phyllis Gretzky dies at age 64 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 20, 2005 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/phyllis-gretzky-dies-at-age-64-1.534997 |access-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210230329/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/phyllis-gretzky-dies-at-age-64-1.534997 |url-status=live }}</ref> The couple married in 1960, and lived in an apartment in Brantford, where Walter worked for [[Bell Canada|Bell Telephone Canada]].{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=11}} The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat enough to make an ice rink.{{sfn|Gretzky|2001|p=33}} Wayne had a sister, Kim (born 1963), and brothers [[Keith Gretzky|Keith]], Glen and [[Brent Gretzky|Brent]]. The family regularly visited the farm of Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, and watched ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]'' together. By age two, Wayne was trying to score [[goal (ice hockey)|goals]] against Mary using a souvenir stick.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=12}} The farm was where Wayne skated on ice for the first time, aged two years, 10 months.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=12}}

[[File:Wayne Gretzky first skates.png|thumb|Gretzky's first pair of skates at the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], worn when he was three years old|alt=A small pair of ice skates, meant for a small child. The boot is leather and is missing its laces, while the blade is deteriorating and showing significant wear due to age.]]
Walter taught Wayne, Keith, Brent, Glen, and their friends hockey on a rink he made in the backyard of the family home, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum".{{sfn|MacGregor|1999|pp=19–20}} Drills included skating around bleach bottles and tin cans and flipping pucks over scattered hockey sticks to be able to pick up the puck again in full flight.{{sfn|MacGregor|1999|p=19}} Walter gave the advice to "skate where the puck's going, not where it's been".{{sfn|MacGregor|1999|p=19}} Wayne was a classic [[child prodigy|prodigy]] whose extraordinary skills made him the target of other children's jealous parents.<ref name="CBCten">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/gretzky-wayne.html |title=Top Ten Greatest Canadians&nbsp;– Wayne Gretzky |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=February 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118073910/http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/gretzky-wayne.html |archive-date=November 18, 2006}}</ref>

The team Gretzky played on at age six was otherwise composed of 10-year-olds.<ref name="Young"/> His first coach, Dick Martin, remarked that he handled the puck better than the 10-year-olds.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=15}} According to Martin, "Wayne was so good that you could have a boy of your own who was a tremendous hockey player, and he'd get overlooked because of what the Gretzky kid was doing."{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=17}} The sweaters for 10-year-olds were far too large for Gretzky, who coped by tucking the sweater into his pants on the right side. Gretzky continued doing this throughout his NHL career.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=18–19}}

By age 10, Gretzky had scored an astonishing 378&nbsp;goals and 139&nbsp;[[assist (ice hockey)|assists]] in just one&nbsp;season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers.<ref name="greatness">{{cite book |last=Falla |first=Jack |editor=Dan Diamond |chapter-url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |chapter=Wayne Gretzky: Greatness Ascendant |title=Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League |publisher=Total Sports |isbn=978-1-892129-85-7 |year=2000 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111345/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=381966 |url-status=live }}</ref> His play attracted media attention beyond Brantford, including a profile by John Iaboni in the ''[[Toronto Telegram]]'' in October 1971.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iaboni |first=John |url=http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_hkygen.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722211352/http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_hkygen.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |title=No. 9 with big No. 9 aspirations |work=[[Toronto Telegram]] |date=October 18, 1971 |access-date=April 14, 2008 }}</ref> In the 1974 [[Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament]], Gretzky scored 26 points playing for Brantford.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/02/11/tournoi-pee-wee-de-quebec-plusieurs-legendes-ont-joue-a-quebec |title=Tournoi pee-wee de Québec: plusieurs légendes ont joué à Québec |last=Dubé |first=Kevin |date=February 11, 2017 |language=fr |work=Le Journal de Montréal |access-date=December 29, 2018 |archive-date=January 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051719/https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/02/11/tournoi-pee-wee-de-quebec-plusieurs-legendes-ont-joue-a-quebec |url-status=live }}</ref> By age 13, he had scored over 1,000&nbsp;goals.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=16}}

His play attracted considerable negative attention from other players' parents, including those of his teammates, and he was often booed.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=15}} According to Walter, the "capper" was being booed on "Brantford Day" at Toronto's [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] in February 1975.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=16}} When Gretzky was 14, his family arranged for him to move to and play hockey in [[Toronto]], partly to further his career, and partly to remove him from the uncomfortable pressure. The Gretzkys had to legally challenge the [[Canadian Amateur Hockey Association]] to win Wayne the right to play in a different area, which was disallowed at the time.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|pp=16–18}} The Gretzkys won, and Wayne played Junior B hockey with the [[Toronto Nationals (1970–80)|Toronto Nationals]], in a league that included 20-year-olds. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in the [[Metro Junior A Hockey League|Metro Junior B Hockey League]] in 1975–76, with 60&nbsp;points in 28&nbsp;games. The following year, as a 15–16-year-old, he had 72&nbsp;points in 32&nbsp;games with the same team, renamed the Seneca Nationals.<ref name="hhofstats">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p199901&type=Player&page=statsawards&list=ByName |title=Wayne Gretzky Career Statistics |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]] |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128190024/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p199901&type=Player&page=statsawards&list=ByName |url-status=live }}</ref>
Despite his offensive statistics—scoring 132 points in 60 games in Junior B<ref name="hhofstats"/>—two teams bypassed him in the 1977 [[Ontario Hockey League|Ontario Major Junior Hockey League]] draft of 16-year-olds. The [[Oshawa Generals]] picked [[Tom McCarthy (ice hockey, born 1960)|Tom McCarthy]] first, and the [[Niagara Falls Flyers]] picked [[Steve Peters (ice hockey)|Steve Peters]] second overall.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soo remembers Gretz |work=Medicine Hat News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 17, 1999 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-apr-17-1999-p-10/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128082713/https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-apr-17-1999-p-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With the third pick, the [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]] selected Gretzky, even though Walter Gretzky had told the team Wayne would not move to [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault Ste. Marie]], a [[northern Ontario]] city that inflicts a heavy travelling schedule on its junior team. The Gretzkys made an arrangement with a local family they knew and Wayne played for the Greyhounds, at age 16.<ref name="Orr">{{cite news |last=Orr |first=Frank |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/118553-gretzky-only-16-carries-gold-orr-label |title=Gretzky, only 16, carries a 'Gold-Orr' label |work=[[The Sporting News]] |date=January 17, 1978 |access-date=October 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131629/http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/118553-gretzky-only-16-carries-gold-orr-label|archive-date=January 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was with the Greyhounds that Gretzky first wore the number&nbsp;99 on his jersey. He originally wanted to wear number&nbsp;9—for his hockey hero [[Gordie Howe]]—but it was already being worn by teammate Brian Gualazzi. At coach [[Murray MacPherson|Muzz MacPherson]]'s suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Gretzky Wore No. 99 |work=Associated Press |date=April 16, 1999 |url=https://apnews.com/article/5bf0d21954af9b2f936297ccfef4bd27 |access-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423135212/https://apnews.com/article/5bf0d21954af9b2f936297ccfef4bd27 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==World Hockey Association==
By 1978, the [[World Hockey Association]], which had competed with the established NHL since [[1972-73 WHA season|1972]], was struggling. The league, which at one point iced fourteen teams, was down to seven surviving franchises. The WHA had long sought to arrange a [[NHL–WHA merger|merger]] with the NHL but were constantly rebuffed by a group of hardline owners in the older league. With the WHA's long-term survival in doubt, [[Birmingham Bulls (WHA)|Birmingham Bulls]] owner [[John F. Bassett]] believed the only way to gain meaningful leverage over the NHL was to sign as many young and promising superstars as possible. The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20, but the WHA had no such rules. Bassett saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=221}} Several WHA teams courted Gretzky, notably the Bulls and the [[Indianapolis Racers]].

Ultimately, it was Racers owner [[Nelson Skalbania]] who, on June 12, 1978, signed 17-year-old Gretzky to a seven-year personal services contract worth US$1.75&nbsp;million.<ref name="Nation Profile"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Zeisberger |first=Mike |url=http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_zeisberger.html |title=Destined for Greatness |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=November 22, 1999 |access-date=April 21, 2008 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604190604/http://www.canoe.ca/GretzkyHall/nov22_zeisberger.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Skalbania opted to have Gretzky sign a personal-services contract rather than a standard player contract in part because by that point it was well known that a majority of NHL owners, if not yet the ¾ required to add new NHL franchises, were willing to absorb at least some WHA teams. While Skalbania knew it was unlikely the Racers would be one of these teams (in part because the WHA insisted that all of its surviving Canadian teams be included), he still hoped to keep the Racers alive long enough to collect compensation from the surviving teams when the WHA dissolved, as well as any funds earned from selling the young star.{{sfn|Hunter|1997|p=192}}

Gretzky scored his first professional goal against [[Dave Dryden]] of the [[Edmonton Oilers]]{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=219}} in his fifth game, and his second goal four seconds later.{{sfn|Davis|1999|p=51}} However, he played only eight games for Indianapolis. The Racers were losing $40,000 per game. Skalbania told Gretzky he would be moved, offering him a choice between the Edmonton Oilers and the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|Winnipeg Jets]]. On the advice of his agent, Gretzky picked the Oilers, but the move was not that simple. On November 2, Gretzky, goaltender [[Eddie Mio]], and forward [[Peter Driscoll]] were put on a private plane, not knowing where they would land and what team they would be joining.<ref name="Nation Profile">{{cite web |title=Nation Profile: Wayne Gretzky |url=http://oilersnation.com/2012/11/2/nation-profile-wayne-gretzky |website=OilersNation.com |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=November 2, 2012 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055127/http://oilersnation.com/2012/11/2/nation-profile-wayne-gretzky |url-status=dead }}</ref> While in the air, Skalbania worked on the deal. Skalbania offered to play a game of [[backgammon]] with Winnipeg owner Michael Gobuty, the stakes being if Gobuty won, he would get Gretzky and if he lost, he had to give Skalbania a share of the Jets. Gobuty turned down the proposal and the players landed in [[Edmonton]].{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=34–35}} Mio paid the $4,000 bill for the flight.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=35}} Skalbania sold Gretzky, Mio and Driscoll to Oilers owner [[Peter Pocklington]], a former business partner. Although the announced price was $850,000, Pocklington paid $700,000.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=219}} The money was not enough to keep the Racers alive; they folded that December.{{sfn|Hunter|1997|p=192}}

One of the highlights of Gretzky's season was his appearance in the 1979 WHA All-Star Game.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}} The format was a three-game series between the WHA All-Stars and [[HC Dynamo Moscow|Dynamo Moscow]] played at Edmonton's [[Northlands Coliseum]].{{sfn|Ireland|2017|loc=chpt. 46}} The WHA All-Stars were coached by [[Jacques Demers]], who put Gretzky on a line with his boyhood idol Gordie Howe and Howe's son, [[Mark Howe|Mark]].{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Dodds |first=Tracy |title=Mutual Admiration: Howe Backs Gretzky's Attack on His Scoring Record |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 4, 1989 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-04-sp-564-story.html |access-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013194144/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-04-sp-564-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In game one, the line scored seven points, and the WHA All-Stars won by a score of 4–2.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}} In game two, Gretzky and Mark Howe each scored a goal and Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the WHA won 4–2.{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=234}} The line did not score in the final game, but the WHA won by a score of 4–3.{{sfn|Surgent|2004|p=289}}

On Gretzky's 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 10-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history at the time) worth [[Canadian dollar|C$]]3&nbsp;million, with options for 10 more years.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |url=http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20051121/news_1s21gallery.html |title=Ali Center fitting tribute to Greatest |date=November 21, 2005 |access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085924/http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20051121/news_1s21gallery.html |archive-date = October 4, 2017|url-status = dead }}</ref>{{sfn|Blevins|2012|p=383}} Gretzky finished third in the league in scoring at 110&nbsp;points, behind [[Robbie Ftorek]] and [[Réal Cloutier]].{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=239}} Gretzky captured the [[Lou Kaplan Trophy]] as rookie of the year,{{sfn|Willes|2004|p=219}} and helped the Oilers to first place in the league.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/wha19731979.html |title=1978–79 World Hockey Association (WHA) |website=[[HockeyDB|The Internet Hockey Database]] |access-date=August 10, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419035301/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/wha19731979.html |archive-date=April 19, 2008}}</ref>

By the end of the regular season, the signings of Gretzky and other young stars in addition to other factors had compelled enough of the hardline NHL owners to change their positions, and an agreement (recognized as the [[1979 NHL expansion|1979 expansion]] by the NHL) was finalized. Under the agreement, the WHA agreed to fold after the 1979 season with the Oilers and three other teams (the [[Hartford Whalers|Hartford (New England) Whalers]], the [[Quebec Nordiques]] and the Winnipeg Jets) joining the older league as [[expansion franchise]]s. The Oilers, like the other three teams, were to be allowed to protect two goaltenders and two skaters from being reclaimed by the established NHL teams in the [[1979 NHL Expansion Draft]]. The NHL also lowered its minimum age, ensuring players such as Gretzky would not need to return to the junior level, albeit with the caveat that such previously underaged players were supposed to be placed into the [[1979 NHL Entry Draft]] pool. Nevertheless, to avoid any potential for litigation over the validity of Gretzky's personal services contract the Oilers were allowed to keep him on their roster as one of their priority selections.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |title=Forget Rest: 1979 Draft Best Of All |work=Hartford Courant |date=June 27, 1994 |url=https://www.courant.com/1994/06/27/forget-rest-1979-draft-best-of-all/ |access-date=May 3, 2017 |archive-date=September 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919053509/http://articles.courant.com/1994-06-27/sports/9406300886_1_entry-draft-nhl-game-s-best-defenseman |url-status=live}}</ref> In exchange for agreeing to keep Gretzky off the draft board, the NHL placed Edmonton at the bottom of the draft order.

The WHA completed the playoffs of its final season as planned. The Oilers reached the [[Avco World Trophy]] finals (the only WHA championship series appearance for the franchise), where they lost to the Winnipeg Jets in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=wha1973&season=1979&leaguenm=WHA |title=1978–79 WHA Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 21, 2008 |archive-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318223300/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=WHA1973&season=1979&leaguenm=WHA |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Reyn |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1979/05/28/823667/a-nowhere-ride-that-could-well-be-the-epitaph-for-the-late-world-hockey-association-which-for-seven-years-was-always-one-step-from-bankruptcy |title=A Nowhere Ride |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 28, 1979 |access-date=April 21, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226105253/http://www.si.com/vault/1979/05/28/823667/a-nowhere-ride-that-could-well-be-the-epitaph-for-the-late-world-hockey-association-which-for-seven-years-was-always-one-step-from-bankruptcy |archive-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref>

==NHL career==
===Edmonton Oilers (1979–1988)===
Gretzky's success in the WHA carried over into the NHL, despite some critics suggesting he would struggle in what was considered the bigger, tougher, and more talented league.<ref name="Cigar">{{cite magazine |last=Shouler |first=Kenneth |url=http://www.winespectator.com/Cigar/CA_Profiles/People_Profile/0,2540,13,00.html |title=Lord of the Rink |magazine=[[Cigar Aficionado]] |year=1997 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012162817/http://www.winespectator.com/Cigar/CA_Profiles/People_Profile/0%2C2540%2C13%2C00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Wayne Gretzky statue 2.jpg|thumb|upright|A statue, located outside [[Rogers Place]] in Edmonton, of Gretzky hoisting the [[Stanley Cup]], which the Oilers won four times with him. Sculpted by [[John Weaver (artist)|John Weaver]].]] In his first NHL season, [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]], Gretzky was awarded the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as the NHL's [[Most Valuable Player]] (the first of eight in a row) and tied for the scoring lead with [[Marcel Dionne]] with 137&nbsp;points.<ref name="Hart">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=HMT |title=Hart Memorial Trophy Winners |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]] |access-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617114141/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=HMT |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Matheson |first=Jim |title=Gretzky is a bargain |work=The Sporting News |date=November 1, 1980}}</ref> Although Gretzky played 79&nbsp;games to Dionne's 80, Dionne was awarded the [[Art Ross Trophy]] because he had scored more goals (53 to 51).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=ART&year=1979-80 |title=1979–80 Art Ross Trophy Winner |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518065443/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=ART&year=1979-80 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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&nbsp;goals, but was not eligible for the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]], given to the top NHL rookie, because of his previous year of WHA experience.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 6, 1980 |title=Gretzky wins Two NHL honours in the first year |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |page=35}}</ref> The Calder was instead awarded to [[Boston Bruins]] defenceman [[Ray Bourque]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=CMT&year=1979-80 |title=1979–80 Calder Memorial Trophy Winner |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524034055/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=CMT&year=1979-80 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his second season, Gretzky won the Art Ross (the first of seven consecutive) with a then-record 164&nbsp;points, breaking both [[Bobby Orr]]'s record for assists in a season (102) and [[Phil Esposito]]'s record for points in a season (152).<ref name="99reasons">{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384579 |title=99 Reasons Why Wayne Gretzky is 'The Great One' |date=October 2, 2004 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 28, 2008 |archive-date=January 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108042014/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384579 |url-status=live }}</ref> He won his second straight Hart Trophy.<ref name="Hart"/> In the first game of the [[1981 Stanley Cup playoffs]], against the [[Montreal Canadiens]], Gretzky had five assists, a single game playoff record.{{sfn|Jenish|2009|p=243}}

During the [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82 season]], Gretzky surpassed a record that had stood for 35&nbsp;years: [[50 goals in 50 games]], first set by [[Rocket Richard|Maurice "Rocket" Richard]] during the [[1944–45 NHL season]] and tied by [[Mike Bossy]] during the [[1980–81 NHL season]]. Gretzky accomplished the feat in only 39&nbsp;games. His 50th goal of the season came on December 30, 1981, in the final seconds of a 7–5 win against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] and was his fifth of the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=50 goals in 39 games Gretzky does it |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |date=December 31, 1981 |page=S1}}</ref> Later that season, Gretzky broke Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76) on February 24, 1982, scoring three to help defeat the [[Buffalo Sabres]] 6–3.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarity |first=James F. |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F3091FFC385F0C768EDDAB0894DA484D81 |title=Gretzky, scoring three goals, sets season record at 79 |work=The New York Times |date=February 25, 1982 |access-date=April 14, 2008}}</ref> He ended the 1981–82 season with records of 92&nbsp;goals, 120&nbsp;assists, and 212&nbsp;[[Point (ice hockey)|points]] in 80&nbsp;games, becoming the only player in NHL history to break the two hundred-point mark.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne's Top 10 |work=[[The Calgary Herald]] |page=C5 |date=April 17, 1999}}</ref> That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named [[Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky wins Ontario honour |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Canada |page=S5 |date=January 26, 1983}}</ref> He was also named 1982 "[[Sportsman of the Year]]" by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8830/index.htm |date=December 27, 1982 |title=Wayne Gretzky, Sportsman of the Year |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=April 11, 2008 |pages=(cover) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207163117/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8830/index.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> [[The Canadian Press]] also named Gretzky [[Canadian Newsmaker of the Year|Newsmaker of the Year]] in 1982.<ref>{{cite news |title=A look at Canadian Press Newsmakers of the Year |work=National Post |agency=The Canadian Press |date=December 19, 2017 |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/a-look-at-canadian-press-newsmakers-of-the-year |access-date=January 24, 2019}}</ref>

The following seasons saw Gretzky break his assists record three more times (125 in [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]], 135 in [[1984–85 NHL season|1984–85]] and 163 in [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86]]); he also bettered that mark (120&nbsp;assists) in [[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87]] with 121 and [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91]] with 122, and his point record one more time (215, in 1985–86).<ref name="NHLstats">{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400 |title=Wayne Gretzky: Stats |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924201353/http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NHLnotes">{{cite web |title=Wayne Gretzky: Notes |publisher=National Hockey League |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400&view=notes |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117002224/http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447400&view=notes |url-status=live }}</ref> By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49&nbsp;NHL records.<ref>{{cite news |last=Howard-Cooper |first=Scott |title=Kings Pay King's Ransom for Hockey Great Gretzky |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 10, 1988 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-10-mn-146-story.html |access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

The Edmonton Oilers finished first overall in their last WHA regular season. The same success was not immediate when they joined the NHL, but within four seasons, the Oilers were competing for the [[Stanley Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=41 |title=Edmonton Oilers (NHL) |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516062725/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=41 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring, in addition to Gretzky, future [[Hockey Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] including forwards [[Mark Messier]], [[Glenn Anderson]] and [[Jari Kurri]]; defenceman [[Paul Coffey]]; and goaltender [[Grant Fuhr]]. Gretzky was its [[Captain (hockey)|captain]] from 1983 to 1988. In 1983, they made it to the [[1983 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], only to be swept by the three-time defending champion [[New York Islanders]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1983&leaguenm=NHL |title=1982–83 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114055310/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1983&leaguenm=NHL |url-status=live }}</ref> The following season, the Oilers met the Islanders in the [[1984 Stanley Cup Finals|Finals]] again, this time winning the Stanley Cup, their first of five in seven years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1984&leaguenm=NHL |title=1983–84 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412051449/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1984&leaguenm=NHL |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gretzky was named an officer of the [[Order of Canada]] on June 25, 1984, for outstanding contribution to the sport of hockey. Since the Order ceremonies are always held during the hockey season, it took 13&nbsp;years and 7&nbsp;months—and two [[Governor General of Canada|Governors General]]—before he could accept the honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=3905&t=12&ln=Gretzky |title=Order of Canada: Wayne Gretzky, O.C. |publisher=[[Governor General of Canada]] |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924050233/http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=3905&t=12&ln=Gretzky |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2009 "for his continued contributions to the world of hockey, notably as one of the best players of all time, as well as for his social engagement as a philanthropist, volunteer and role model for countless young people".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13192 |title=Governor General announces 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada |publisher=Governor General of Canada |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222230106/http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13192 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Five times between 1981–82 and 1986–87, Gretzky led the NHL in goals scored.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL & WHA Yearly Leaders and Records for Goals |publisher=Hockey-Reference |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/goals_yearly.html |access-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010024141/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/goals_yearly.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Oilers also won the Stanley Cup with Gretzky three additional times: in {{scfy|1985}}, {{scfy|1987}} and {{scfy|1988}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25426 |title=Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719073110/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25426 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

When the Oilers joined the NHL, Gretzky continued to play under his personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31&nbsp;million loan with the [[Alberta Treasury Branches]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Myslenski, Skip |author2=Kay, Linda |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/01/29/cant-get-next-to-you-babe-tony/ |title=Can't get next to you, babe: Tony La Russa was part of the... |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 29, 1985 |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301130126/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-01-29/sports/8501060359_1_edmonton-oilers-owner-press-conference-peter-pocklington |url-status=live}}</ref> Amid growing concern around the NHL that a financial institution might be able to lay claim to Gretzky's rights in the event the heavily leveraged Pocklington were to declare bankruptcy, as well as growing dissatisfaction on the part of Gretzky and his advisers, in 1987, Gretzky and Pocklington agreed to replace the personal services contract with a standard NHL contract.<ref>{{cite news |author=Strachan, Al |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/11/26/gretzky-escapes-legal-mess/ |title=Gretzky Escapes Legal Mess |via=Chicago Tribune |date=November 26, 1987 |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301130423/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-11-26/sports/8703290287_1_nhl-bylaws-peter-pocklington-national-hockey-league-career |url-status=live}}</ref>

====The Gretzky rule====
In June 1985, as part of a package of five rule changes to be implemented for the 1985–86 season, the NHL Board of Governors decided to introduce offsetting penalties, where neither team lost a man when coincidental penalties were called. The effect of calling offsetting penalties was felt immediately in the NHL because during the early 1980s, when the Gretzky-era Oilers entered a four-on-four or three-on-three situation with an opponent, they frequently used the space on the ice to score one or more goals.<ref name="gretzkyrule2">{{cite news |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/10-best-player-inspired-nhl-rules-changes--nhl.html |title=The 10 best player-inspired NHL rules changes |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=August 19, 2010 |author=Wyshynski, Greg |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131132231/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/10-best-player-inspired-nhl-rules-changes--nhl.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1004/revolutionary.moments.in.sports/content.7.html |title=Revolutionary Moments in Sports: The Gretzky Rule |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=May 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522014457/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1004/revolutionary.moments.in.sports/content.7.html |archive-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref> A few days later, during a press conference the day after being awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, Gretzky criticized the NHL for punishing teams and players who previously benefited. The rule change became known as "the Gretzky rule".<ref name="gretzkyrule2"/><ref name="gretzkyrule1">{{cite news |title=Gretzky criticizes change in rules |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=June 13, 1985 |page=27}}</ref> The rule was reversed for the 1992–93 season, by which time a majority of the players from the all-time powerhouse Edmonton Oilers (the [[1984–85 Edmonton Oilers season|1984–85 Oilers team]], the one most directly impacted by the June 1985 rule change, was later voted the greatest NHL team ever, as part of the NHL's centennial celebrations)<ref>{{Cite web |title=1984-85 Oilers voted No. 1 Greatest NHL Team |first=Stu |last=Hackel |date=June 5, 2017 |website=[[National Hockey League]] |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/1985-edmonton-oilers-greatest-nhl-teams-289776318 |access-date=2024-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518043317/https://www.nhl.com/news/1985-edmonton-oilers-greatest-nhl-teams-289776318 |archive-date=2024-05-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> had changed teams or retired from hockey.{{sfn|Duplacey|2000|p=58}}

====Strategy and effect on NHL play====
Gretzky had a major influence on the style of play of the Edmonton Oilers and the NHL as a whole, helping to inspire a more team-based strategy. Using this approach, the Oilers, led by Gretzky, became the highest-scoring team in NHL history.{{sfn|Dryden|2013|page=291}}

"He was, I think, the first Canadian forward to play a true team game", said hockey writer and former NHL goaltender [[Ken Dryden]]. The focus of the game before Gretzky's arrival, he said, especially among the Canadian teams, was on the player with the puck—getting the puck to a star player who would make the big play. <blockquote>Gretzky reversed that. He knew he wasn't big enough, strong enough, or even fast enough to do what he wanted to do if others focused on him. Like a magician, he had to direct attention elsewhere, to his four teammates on the ice with him, to create a momentary distraction to move unnoticed into the open ice where size and strength didn't matter.&nbsp;... Gretzky made his opponents compete with five players, not one, and he made his teammates full partners in the game. He made them skate to his level and pass and finish up to his level or they would be embarrassed.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wayne Gretzky: The Making of the Great One |date=1998 |publisher=Beckett Pubns |location=Dallas |isbn=978-1887432474 |page=98 |last=Dryden |first=Ken |editor=James Beckett |ref=none}}</ref></blockquote>

Between 1982 and 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, when no previous team had scored 400, and Gretzky on his own had averaged 207 points when no player before had scored more than 152 in one year. Dryden wrote in his book ''[[The Game (Dryden book)|The Game]]'', "In the past, defenders and teams had learned to devise strategies to stop opponents with the puck. To stop them without it, that was interference. But now, if players without the puck skated just as hard as those with it, but faster, and dodged and darted to open ice just as determinedly, but more effectively, how did you shut them down?"{{sfn|Dryden|2013|page=291}}

In this, Gretzky added his considerable influence as the preeminent NHL star of his day to that of the Soviets, who had also developed a more team style of play and had successfully used it against the best NHL teams, beginning in the [[1972 Summit Series]]. "The Soviets and Gretzky changed the NHL game", says Dryden. "Gretzky, the kid from Brantford with the Belarusian name, was the acceptable face of Soviet hockey. No Canadian kid wanted to play like [[Sergei Makarov (ice hockey, born 1958)|Makarov]] or [[Igor Larionov|Larionov]]. They all wanted to play like Gretzky."{{sfn|Dryden|2013|pages=290–291}}

At the same time, Gretzky recognized the contributions of their coach in the success of the Oilers: "Under the guidance of [[Glen Sather]], our Oiler teams became adept at generating speed, developing finesse, and learning a transition game with strong European influences."{{sfn|Gretzky|1998|p=6}}

Gretzky explains his style of play further:
{{blockquote|1=People think that to be a good player you have to pick the puck up, deke around ninety-three guys, and take this ungodly slap shot. No. Let the puck do all the moving and you get yourself in the right place. I don't care if you're [[Carl Lewis]], you can't out skate that little black thing. Just move the puck: give it up, get it back, give it up. It's like [[Larry Bird]]. The hardest work he does is getting open. The jump shot is cake.

That's all hockey is open ice. That's my whole strategy: Find Open Ice. Chicago coach [[Mike Keenan]] said it best: "There's a spot on the ice that's no-man's land, and all the good goal scorers find it." It's a piece of frozen real estate that's just in between the defense and the forward.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=92}}}}

===="The Trade"====
Two hours after the Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1988, Gretzky learned from his father that the Oilers were planning to deal him to another team.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=177–179}} Walter Gretzky had known for months after having been tipped off by Skalbania, but kept the news from Wayne so as not to upset him. According to Walter, Wayne was being "shopped" to Los Angeles, Detroit, and Vancouver, and Pocklington needed money as his other business ventures were not doing well.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|pp=182–183}} At first, Gretzky did not want to leave Edmonton, but he received a call while on his honeymoon from [[Los Angeles Kings]] owner [[Bruce McNall]], who asked permission to meet and discuss the deal. Gretzky informed McNall that his prerequisites for a deal to take place were that [[Marty McSorley]] and [[Mike Krushelnyski]] join him as teammates in Los Angeles. Both McNall and Pocklington quickly agreed. After the details of the trade were finalized by the two owners, one final condition had to be met: Gretzky had to call Pocklington and request a trade.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=183}} When Pocklington told Oilers general manager and head coach Sather about his plans to trade Gretzky to Los Angeles, Sather tried to stop the deal, but when he found out that Gretzky had been involved in the negotiations, he changed his attitude and requested [[Luc Robitaille]] in exchange. The Kings refused, instead offering [[Jimmy Carson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/sports/story.html?id=eec77a3a-f5cb-46ab-92be-916344441c0f&p=1/ |title=Ask Matty |author=Matheson, Jim |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |date=January 18, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823044025/http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/sports/story.html?id=eec77a3a-f5cb-46ab-92be-916344441c0f&p=1%2F |archive-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref>

On August 9, 1988, in a move that heralded significant change in the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky (along with McSorley and Krushelnyski) to the [[Kings–Oilers rivalry|rival Kings]] for Carson, [[Martin Gélinas]], $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in [[1989 NHL Entry Draft|1989]] (later traded to the [[New Jersey Devils]], who used it to select [[Jason Miller (ice hockey)|Jason Miller]]), [[1991 NHL Entry Draft|1991]], (used to select [[Martin Ručinský]]), and [[1993 NHL Entry Draft|1993]], (used to select [[Nick Stajduhar]]).<ref name="NHLnotes"/> "The Trade", as it came to be known,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Trade |publisher=Sportsnet |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-the-trade/ |access-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309115814/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-the-trade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> upset Canadians to the extent that [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democratic Party]] House Leader [[Nelson Riis]] demanded the government block it,<ref>{{cite web |title=20 Years Ago: Gretzky Deal Shocked the Hockey World |publisher=The Sports Network |date=August 9, 2008 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245714 |access-date=February 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904160813/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245714 |archive-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> and Pocklington was burned in [[effigy]] outside Northlands Coliseum.<ref name="CBCten"/>

In Gretzky's first appearance in Edmonton after the trade, a game nationally televised in Canada, he received a four-minute standing ovation.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Austin |title=The Great One is cheered in his return to Edmonton |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/10/31/a-king-in-edmonton-wayne-gretzky-returned-to-his-old-city-and-was-greeted-with-heartfelt-cheers |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=g4GvJDF6pj4|title=1988 NHL, Los-Angeles Kings - Edmonton Oilers, October 19, 1988}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=Ii6pyR5_KjY|title=Gretzky's Homecoming: Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings, Oct. 19, 1988 - FULL GAME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 1988 |title=Hockey great Wayne Gretzky received a thunderous standing ovation... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/10/19/Hockey-great-Wayne-Gretzky-received-a-thunderous-standing-ovation/2531593236800/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> The arena was sold out, and the attendance of 17,503 was the Oilers' biggest crowd ever to that date.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}} Large cheers erupted for his first shift, his first touch of the puck, his two assists, and Mark Messier's body check of Gretzky into the boards.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}} After the game, Gretzky took the opportunity to confirm his patriotism: "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. I hope Canadians understand that."{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=66}} After the 1988–89 season, a life-sized bronze statue of Gretzky was erected outside Northlands Coliseum, holding the Stanley Cup over his head.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=67}}

===Los Angeles Kings (1988–1996)===
[[File:Wayne Gretzky statue at Star Plaza, downtown LA, USA - panoramio.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Statue of Wayne Gretzky|Statue of Gretzky]] outside [[Crypto.com Arena]], home of the [[Los Angeles Kings]]. Gretzky played with the Kings from 1988 to 1996.]]
The Kings named Gretzky their [[alternate captain]]. He made an immediate impact on the ice, scoring on his first shot on goal in the first regular season game.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=202}} The Kings got off to their best start ever, winning four straight en route to qualifying for the playoffs. For only the second time in his NHL career, Gretzky finished second in scoring, but narrowly edged the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]' [[Mario Lemieux]] (who scored 199&nbsp;points) for the Hart Trophy as MVP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=HMT&year=1988-89 |title=1988–89 Hart Memorial trophy Winner |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422190702/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=HMT&year=1988-89 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite being [[Underdog (competition)|underdogs]] against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers in the [[Smythe Division]] semifinals, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad, spearheading the Kings' return from a 3–1 series deficit to win the series 4–3. He was nervous Edmonton would greet him with boos, but they were eagerly waiting for him.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Murphy |first=Austin |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068306/1/index.htm |title=Dynasty Undone |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=April 24, 1989 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205204028/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068306/1/index.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2013}}</ref> The Kings were then swept by the [[Calgary Flames]], who went on to win their first Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Proteau|first=Adam|title=The Oral History of the 1989 Stanley Cup Champion Calgary Flames: Part One|magazine=The Hockey News|date=August 16, 2014|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-oral-history-of-the-1989-stanley-cup-champion-calgary-flames-part-one|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004144930/https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-oral-history-of-the-1989-stanley-cup-champion-calgary-flames-part-one|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1990, the [[Associated Press]] named Gretzky Male Athlete of the Decade.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Verdi |first=Bob |title=Hockey's Babe Ruth is Athlete of the Century |magazine=The Sporting News |date=January 22, 1990 |page=4}}</ref> For the second year in a row, the Kings eliminated the defending champions in the first round when they defeated the Flames in six games, but also for the second year in a row their season ended in a second round sweep, this time at the hands of Gretzky's former team. The Oilers went on to win their fifth Cup (and first without Gretzky). In his post-championship interview, Messier (who had replaced Gretzky as Edmonton's captain following the trade) dedicated the Oilers' Cup win to him.

Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles saw a marked increase in attendance and [[Fan (aficionado)|fan]] interest in a city not previously known for following hockey. The Kings now boasted of numerous sellouts.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fichtenbaum |first=Paul |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1989/10/09/120775/new-king-boffo-at-box-office |title=New King Boffo at Box Office |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 9, 1989 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226083824/http://www.si.com/vault/1989/10/09/120775/new-king-boffo-at-box-office |url-status=live }}</ref> Many credit Gretzky's arrival with putting non-traditional American hockey markets on "the NHL map"; not only did California receive two more NHL franchises (the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]] and [[San Jose Sharks]]) during Gretzky's tenure in Los Angeles, but his popularity in [[Southern California]] proved to be an impetus in the league establishing teams in other parts of the U.S. Sun Belt.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Roderick |first=Kevin |url=http://www.kevinroderick.com/gretzky.html |title=The Big Chill |magazine=[[Los Angeles Magazine]] |date=December 2001 |access-date=February 7, 2006 |archive-date=January 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060107100156/http://www.kevinroderick.com/gretzky.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gretzky was sidelined for much of the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 regular season]] with a back injury (he returned on January 6, 1993, which was also his [[List of NHL players with 1,000 games played|1,000th NHL game]]), and his 65-point output ended a record 13-year streak in which he recorded at least 100 points each season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kreiser |first=John |title=25-for-25: Gretzky records that will live on |publisher=National Hockey League |date=August 9, 2013 |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=679820 |access-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511204541/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=679820 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he performed well in the playoffs, notably when he scored a [[hat trick]] in game&nbsp;seven of the [[Western Conference (NHL)|Campbell Conference]] Finals against the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref name="99reasons"/> This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. After winning the first game of the series by a score of 4–1, the team lost the next three games in overtime, and then fell 4–1 in the deciding fifth game, where Gretzky failed to get a shot on net.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1993&leaguenm=NHL |title=1992–93 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808013407/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1993&leaguenm=NHL |archive-date=August 8, 2007}}</ref>

The next season, Gretzky broke [[Gordie Howe]]'s career goal-scoring record of 801, and won the scoring title,<ref name="99reasons"/> but the team began a long slide, and despite numerous player and coaching moves, they failed to qualify for the playoffs again until [[1997–98 NHL season|1998]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=4183 |title=The History of the Los Angeles Kings |publisher=[[Los Angeles Kings]] |access-date=April 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813070535/http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=4183 |archive-date=August 13, 2014}}</ref> After the financially troubled McNall was forced to sell the Kings in 1994, Gretzky's relationship with the Kings' new owners grew strained.<ref name="map">{{cite news |last=Hessler |first=Warner |title=Gretzky Helped Put Hockey On Map In U.S. |work=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |date=March 16, 1996 |url=https://www.dailypress.com/1996/03/16/gretzky-helped-put-hockey-on-map-in-us/ |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930181540/http://articles.dailypress.com/1996-03-16/sports/9603160056_1_hockey-s-popularity-non-traditional-hockey-traded |url-status=live }}</ref> Under both McNall and the new ownership group, the team was fiscally unstable, to the point that paychecks to players bounced.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Gretzky leaving L.A.? It doesn't add up |work=Calgary Herald |date=January 13, 1996 |page=C3}}</ref> Finally, in early 1996, Gretzky requested a trade.<ref name="map"/> During the [[1994–95 NHL lock-out]], Gretzky and some friends (including Mark Messier, Marty McSorley, [[Brett Hull]] and [[Steve Yzerman]]) formed the [[Ninety Nine All Stars Tour]] and played eight exhibition games in various countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=99 at 50: All-time Top 10 – #4 |publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation |date=January 23, 2011 |url=http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=5283&cHash=144daf10760b8a0c98c0e62e5d07536c |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140905212442/http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=5283&cHash=144daf10760b8a0c98c0e62e5d07536c |url-status=live }}</ref>

===St. Louis Blues (1996)===
On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the [[St. Louis Blues]] in a trade for [[Patrice Tardif]], [[Roman Vopat]], [[Craig Johnson (ice hockey, born 1972)|Craig Johnson]] and two draft picks (Peter Hogan and [[Matt Zultek]]).<ref name="NHLnotes"/> He partially orchestrated the trade after reports surfaced that he was unhappy in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |title=After 99 trial balloons, Gretzky traded; Wayne gets his wish—if Blues are indeed contenders |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=B1 |date=February 28, 1996}}</ref> At the time of the trade, the Blues and [[New York Rangers]] emerged as front-runners, but the Blues met his salary demands.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hickey |first=Pat |date=February 28, 1996 |title=Gretzky's image suffers; Everyone's a big loser in this deal |work=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Gazette]] |page=E1}}</ref> Gretzky was immediately named the team's captain. He scored 37&nbsp;points in 31&nbsp;games for the team in the regular season and the playoffs,<ref name="NHLstats"/> and the Blues came within one game of the Conference Finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1996&leaguenm=NHL |title=1995–96 NHL Playoff Results |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807215116/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1996&leaguenm=NHL |archive-date=August 7, 2007}}</ref>

However, the chemistry everyone expected with winger Brett Hull never developed. Gretzky was also forced to endure public criticism from his head coach for the first time in his career. Long before either he or Gretzky joined the Blues, Mike Keenan had refused to moderate his coaching style even while coaching Gretzky with Team Canada during international tournaments. Gretzky's professional relationship with Keenan was thus never particularly warm, and the coach's public rebukes effectively ended any realistic prospect of Gretzky remaining in St. Louis once he became a free agent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Casey |first=Tom |date=June 29, 1996 |title=Gretzky gets top billing on big-name free-agent list: Senators continue talks with goalie Damian Rhodes |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=G3}}</ref> Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15&nbsp;million with the Blues, and on July 21, signed with the New York Rangers as a [[free agent]], rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier (and former Kings teammate Luc Robitaille) for a two-year, $8&nbsp;million (plus incentives) contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duffy |first=Andrew |date=July 22, 1996 |title=Great One bound for Broadway: Gretzky signs deal with N.Y. Rangers |work=The Record |page=D1}}</ref>

===New York Rangers (1996–1999)===
[[File:Wgretz edit2.jpg|thumb|upright|Gretzky with the [[New York Rangers]] in 1997]]
Gretzky ended his professional playing career with the New York Rangers, where he played his final three seasons and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in [[1996–97 NHL season|1997]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E6DE163AF935A15756C0A961958260 |title=Rangers' Surprising Run Comes to a Finish |work=The New York Times |date=May 26, 1997 |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> 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&nbsp;goals and 10&nbsp;assists.<ref name="NHLstats"/> For the first time in his NHL career, Gretzky was not named captain,<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E5DA103FF936A35753C1A960958260 |title=No C and No A for Gretzky. Just a Regular Blue Jersey |work=The New York Times |date=October 5, 1996 |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> except for a brief period as acting captain in 1998 when captain [[Brian Leetch]] was injured and out of the line-up.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806E0DF163DF93BA35757C0A96E958260 |title=Hockey; Rangers Waste Gretzky's Gifts Again |work=The New York Times |date=April 8, 1998 |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> After the 1996–97 season, Mark Messier signed a free agent contract with the [[Vancouver Canucks]], ending the brief reunion of Messier and Gretzky after just one season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E1D91F3AF932A05754C0A961958260 |title=In Signing Messier, Canucks' Persistence Paid Off |work=The New York Times |date=July 31, 1997 |access-date=April 16, 2008 |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208041201/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E1D91F3AF932A05754C0A961958260 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1997 playoff run was Gretzky's last as a player, and Rangers did not return to the playoffs until [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs|2006]], well after Gretzky retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=48 |title=New York Rangers (NHL) |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220081332/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=48 |archive-date=February 20, 2008}}</ref> Along with [[Jaromír Jágr|Jaromir Jagr]], he topped the NHL in [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]] with 67&nbsp;assists. It was the 16th time in 19 seasons that Gretzky earned at least a share of the league lead in the statistic.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL & WHA Yearly Leaders and Records for Assists |publisher=Hockey-Reference |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/assists_yearly.html |access-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010024133/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/assists_yearly.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1997, before his retirement, ''[[The Hockey News]]'' named a committee of 50&nbsp;hockey experts (former NHL players, past and present writers, broadcasters, coaches, and hockey executives) to select and rank the 50&nbsp;greatest players in NHL history. The experts voted Gretzky number one.<ref name="greatness"/> Gretzky said he would have voted Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe as the best of all time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cole |first=Cam |title=Cole: Bobby Orr was The One, not The Great One |work=Vancouver Sun |date=March 20, 2013 |url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/canucks%20-%20hockey/bobby-orr-was-the-one-not-the-great-one |access-date=February 16, 2023}}</ref>

The [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]] season was his last as a professional player. He reached one milestone in this last season, breaking the professional total (regular season and playoffs) goal-scoring record of 1,071, which Gordie Howe had held. Gretzky was having difficulty scoring this season and finished with only nine goals, contributing to this being the only season in which he failed to average at least a point per game, but his last goal brought his scoring total for his combined NHL/WHA career to 1,072, one more than Howe.{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=216}} As the season wound down, there was media speculation that Gretzky would retire, but he refused to announce his retirement. His last NHL game in Canada was on April 15, 1999, a 2–2&nbsp;tie with the [[Ottawa Senators]] and the Rangers' second-to-last game of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Atkins |first=Harry |title=Gretzky good as gone |work=Ludington Daily News |agency=Associated Press |date=April 16, 1999 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=09ELAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0FUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6485,1529045 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610152515/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=09ELAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0FUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6485,1529045 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the contest, in a departure from the usual [[Three stars (ice hockey)|three stars]] announcement, Gretzky was awarded all three stars.{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=218}} Upon returning to New York, Gretzky announced he would retire after the Rangers' last game of the season.{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=220}}

The final game of Gretzky's career was a 2–1&nbsp;overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999, in [[Madison Square Garden]]. Although the game involved two American teams, both [[national anthem]]s were played, with the lyrics slightly adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure. In place of the lyrics "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", [[Bryan Adams]] ad-libbed, "We're going to miss you, Wayne Gretzky".<ref name="Brady">{{cite news |last=Brady |first=Erik |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/gretzky/full38.htm |title=He loved 'every part of the game' |work=USA Today |date=April 19, 1999 |access-date=October 6, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512121251/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/gretzky/full38.htm |archive-date=May 12, 2008}}</ref> "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]", as sung by [[John Amirante]], was altered to include the words "in the land of Wayne Gretzky".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384578 |title=Gretzky Gets Assist in Finale |publisher=National Hockey League |date=April 18, 1999 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111341/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384578 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky ended his career with a final point, assisting on the lone New York goal scored by Brian Leetch.<ref name="Brady"/> At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second-to-last WHA player still active in professional hockey. Mark Messier, who attended the game along with other representatives of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, was the last.{{sfn|Cole|2004|p=133}}

==International play==
{{MedalTableTop|name= |Wayne Gretzky jersey.JPG|230px|Team Canada sweater worn by Gretzky during the [[1998 Winter Olympics]].}}
{{Medal|Country | {{ih|CAN}} }}
{{Medal|Sport | [[Ice hockey]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[World Cup of Hockey|World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Silver | [[1996 World Cup of Hockey|1996 Canada]] |}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Canada Cup (ice hockey)|Canada Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1991 Canada Cup|1991 Canada]] |}}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1987 Canada Cup|1987 Canada]] |}}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1984 Canada Cup|1984 Canada]] |}}
{{Medal|Silver | [[1981 Canada Cup|1981 Canada]] |}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Ice Hockey World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze | [[1982 World Ice Hockey Championships|1982 Finland]] |}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IIHF World Junior Championship|World Junior Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze | [[1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1978 Canada]] |}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Gretzky made his first international appearance as a member of the [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canadian national junior team]] at the [[1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1978 World Junior Championships]] in Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian coach, [[Punch McLean]], was originally skeptical of Gretzky's ability as he was the youngest player to compete in the tournament at the age of 16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quirky facts from 1978 |url=http://www.worldjunior2015.com/en/news/quirky-facts-from-1978/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217132511/http://www.worldjunior2015.com/en/news/quirky-facts-from-1978/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |website=worldjunior2015.com |publisher=2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships |access-date=January 29, 2020 |date=December 16, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="intl"/> He went on to lead the tournament in scoring with 17 points to earn All-Star Team and [[List of IIHF World Under 20 Championship Directorate award winners|Best Forward]] honours.<ref name=intl/> His 17 points remain the most scored by a 16-year-old in the World Junior Championships.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of 16-year old World Junior Championship players |url=http://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/player-age/16-year-old-wjc-u20-players.html |website=QuantHockey |access-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224142157/http://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/player-age/16-year-old-wjc-u20-players.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Canada finished with the bronze medal.<ref name=intl>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384582 |title=Gretzky's International Career |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 24, 2010 |date=October 2, 2003|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117111349/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384582 |archive-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wharnsby |first=Tim |title=Wayne Gretzky never thought he would make this team |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/wayne-gretzky-never-thought-he-would-make-this-team |access-date=September 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230165804/http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/wayne-gretzky-never-thought-he-would-make-this-team |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gretzky debuted with the [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canadian national team]] at the [[1981 Canada Cup]]. He led the tournament in scoring with 12 points en route to a second-place finish to the [[Soviet Union men's national ice hockey team|Soviet Union]],<ref name=intl/> losing 8–1 in the final. Seven months later, Gretzky joined Team Canada for the [[1982 World Ice Hockey Championships|1982 World Championships]] in Finland. He notched 14 points in 10 games, including a two-goal, two-assist effort in Canada's final game against [[Sweden national men's ice hockey team|Sweden]] to earn the bronze.<ref name=intl/> Gretzky did not win his first international competition until the [[1984 Canada Cup]], when Canada defeated Sweden in a best-of-three finals. He led the tournament in scoring for the second consecutive time and was named to the All-Star Team.<ref name=intl/>

Gretzky's international career highlight arguably came three years later at the [[1987 Canada Cup]]. Gretzky has called the tournament the best hockey he has played in his life.{{sfn|Willes|2007|p=1}} Playing on a line with Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Mario Lemieux, he recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games. After losing the first game of a best-of-three final series against the Soviets, Gretzky propelled Canada with a five-assist performance in the second game, including the game-winning pass to Lemieux in overtime, to extend the tournament.{{sfn|Willes|2007|p=1}} In the deciding game three, Gretzky and Lemieux once again combined for the game-winner. With the score tied 5–5 and 1:26 minutes to go in regulation, Lemieux one-timed a pass from Gretzky on a 3-on-1 with defenceman [[Larry Murphy (ice hockey)|Larry Murphy]]. Lemieux scored to win the tournament for Canada; the play is widely regarded as one of the most memorable plays in Canadian international competition.{{sfn|Willes|2007|p=149}}

The [[1991 Canada Cup]] marked the last time the tournament was played under the "Canada Cup" moniker. Gretzky led the tournament for the fourth and final time with 12 points in seven games. He did not, however, compete in the final against the [[United States national men's ice hockey team|United States]] due to a back injury.<ref name=intl/> Canada nevertheless won in two games by scores of 4–1 and 4–2. Five years later, the tournament was revived and renamed the [[World Cup of Hockey|World Cup]] in [[1996 World Cup of Hockey|1996]]. It marked the first time Gretzky did not finish as the tournament's leading scorer; his seven points in eight games placed him fourth overall.<ref name=intl/>

Leading up to the [[Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics|1998 Winter Olympics]] in [[Nagano (city)|Nagano]], Japan, it was announced that NHL players would be eligible to play for the first time. Gretzky was named to the club on November 29, 1997.<ref name=intl/> However, Gretzky was passed over for the captaincy, along with several other Canadian veterans including Steve Yzerman and Ray Bourque in favour of the younger [[Eric Lindros]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506E2D6153AF932A35751C0A96E958260 |title=Nagano '98; Wearing C, for Canada |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 1, 1998 |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> Expectations were high for the Canadian team, but the team lost to the [[Czech national men's ice hockey team|Czech Republic]] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Rachel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/olyhock21.htm |title=Hasek Stares Down Canada in Shootout, 2–1 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 1998 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429163516/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/olyhock21.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The game went to a shootout with a 1–1 tie after overtime, but Gretzky was controversially not selected by coach [[Marc Crawford]] as one of the five shooters, all of whom failed to score.<ref>{{cite news |last=Molinaro |first=John |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/newsmakers/crawford_marc.html |title=Crawford leaves an uneven legacy |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215182725/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/newsmakers/crawford_marc.html |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Beacon |first=Bill |title=Nagano still nags at Gretzky |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 8, 2000 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nagano-still-nags-at-gretzky-1.253478 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222205955/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nagano-still-nags-at-gretzky-1.253478 |url-status=live }}</ref> Team Canada then lost the bronze medal game 3–2 to [[Finland men's national ice hockey team|Finland]] to finish without a medal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nadel |first=Mike |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/bronze21.htm |title=Finland Stuns Canada, 3–2, to Win Bronze Medal |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 1998 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429170436/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/hockey/articles/bronze21.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Olympics marked Gretzky's eighth and final international appearance, finishing with four assists in six games. He retired from international play holding the records for most goals (20), most assists (28), and most overall points (48) in best-on-best hockey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tlh.evcco.com/rostcan.html |title=Player Records: Canada |publisher=EVCCO Top Level Hockey |date=March 21, 2010 |access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125134059/http://tlh.evcco.com/rostcan.html |archive-date=January 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Skills and influences==
===Style of play===
[[File:Wayne Gretzky 1997.jpg|thumb|upright|Gretzky in 1997]]
Gretzky's size and strength were unimpressive—in fact, far below average for the NHL—but he is widely considered the smartest player in the history of the game.<ref name="By |">{{cite news |last=Schlenker |first=Phil |title=Could anyone hit Wayne Gretzky? |url=http://cambridgecitizen.ca/could-anyone-hit-wayne-gretzky/ |newspaper=The Cambridge Citizen |date=April 25, 2013 |access-date=October 6, 2017 |quote=Here is what Esposito himself said about hitting Gretzky in his book on pages 15–16: 'Gretzky saw the ice better than any human being I ever saw play hockey. Until someone came along he was the smartest hockey player ever. People ask me 'Why couldn't anyone hit him?' You can't hit what you can't catch – not that he was fast, but he was so smart. Even when he lost a step when he got older, mentally he was just as sharp.'|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125259/http://cambridgecitizen.ca/could-anyone-hit-wayne-gretzky/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>{{sfn|Dryden|1998|p=10|ps=. "The results speak eloquently about the respect accorded the three players. Gretzky, the smartest player in the history of the game, Orr, the most dynamic three-zone player, and Howe, the ultimate symbol of enduring excellence, represent the holy trinity of hockey greats."}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Looney |first=Douglas S. |title=To figure Gretzky's greatness just tally up the numbers |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1999/0423/p12s1.html/%28page%29/2 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=April 23, 1999 |access-date=December 23, 2016 |quote=We've heard from former coaches (repeated ad nauseam was the comment by Barry Melrose, coach while Gretzky played for L.A.: "The reason he's dominated is that he's the smartest that ever played the game"), commentators, players, fans, even Michael Jordan. |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122143757/http://www.csmonitor.com/1999/0423/p12s1.html/(page)/2 |url-status=live }}</ref> His reading of the game and his ability to improvise on the fly were unrivaled, and he could consistently anticipate where the puck was going to be and execute the right move at the right time.<ref name="Orr"/> His coach at the Edmonton Oilers, Glen Sather, said, "He was so much more intelligent. While they were using all this energy trying to rattle his teeth, he was just skating away, circling, analyzing things."<ref>{{cite news |last=Whitt |first=Richie |title=For Gretzky, a great farewell |work=Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service |date=April 19, 1999 |access-date=February 15, 2019 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54406512.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140610211430/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54406512.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 10, 2014 |via =HighBeam  }}</ref>

He was also considered one of the most creative players in hockey. "You never knew what he was going to do", said hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov. "He was improvising all the time. Every time he took the ice, there was some spontaneous decision he would make. That's what made him such a phenomenal player."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Larionov |first=Igor |editor=Steve Dryden |year=1999 |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |chapter=A consummate artist |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Inc. |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |page=92}}</ref> Gretzky's ability to improvise came into the spotlight at the 1998 Olympics in Japan. Then an older player in the sunset of his career, he had been passed over for the captaincy of the team. But as the series continued, his unique skills made him a [[team leader]].

<blockquote>The Canadians had trouble with the big ice. They had trouble with the European patterns and the lateral play and the endless, inventive cycling.&nbsp;... Slowly, as game after game went by and the concern continued to rise, Wayne Gretzky began climbing through the line-up. He, almost alone among the Canadians, seemed to take to the larger ice surface as if it offered more opportunity instead of obligation &nbsp;... His playing time soared, as he was being sent on not just for power plays but double shifts and even penalty kills. By the final round&nbsp;... it was Wayne Gretzky who assumed the leadership both on and off the ice.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McGregor |first=Roy |editor=Steve Dryden |year=1999 |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |chapter=Fortune smiled upon us |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |page=34}}</ref>
</blockquote>

He passed and shot with prodigious skill. Hall of Fame defenceman Bobby Orr said of Gretzky, "He passes better than anybody I've ever seen."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Swift |first=E. M. |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126259/index.htm |title=Greatness Confirmed |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 27, 1982 |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721060932/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126259/index.htm |archive-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> In his first two seasons in the NHL, his deft passing skills helped earn him a reputation as an ace playmaker, and so opposing defencemen focused their efforts on foiling his attempts to pass the puck to other scorers. In response, Gretzky started shooting on goal himself—and with exceptional effectiveness.<ref name="autogenerated71">{{cite book |title=The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-8361-7 |page=71 |last=Swift |first=E. M. |editor=Sports Illustrated |year=2012}}</ref> He had a fast and accurate shot. "Wayne Gretzky was one of the most accurate scorers in NHL history", said one biography.<ref>{{cite book |last=Will |first=Sandra |title=Hockey for Fun |date=2003 |publisher=Compass Point |location=Minneapolis |isbn=978-0-7565-0488-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VLklgMQLd3sC&pg=PT24}}</ref> Statistics support the contention: whereas Phil Esposito, who had set the previous goal-scoring record, needed 550 shots to score 76 goals, Gretzky netted his 76th after only 287 shots—about half as many. He scored his all-time single-season record of 92 goals with just 369 shots.<ref name="autogenerated71"/> Because he was so light compared to other players, goalies were often surprised by how hard Gretzky's shot was. Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast". He also had a way of never shooting the puck with the same rhythm twice, making his shots harder to time and block.<ref>{{cite book |last=Benson |first=Michael |title=Wayne Gretzky |date=2013 |publisher=Infobase Learning |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4381-4250-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RbNbAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23}}</ref>

Veteran Canadian journalist [[Peter Gzowski]] wrote that Gretzky seemed to be able to slow down time.{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|pp=203–204}} "There is an unhurried grace to everything Gretzky does on the ice. Winding up for the slapshot, he will stop for an almost imperceptible moment at the top of his arc, like a golfer with a rhythmic swing." "Gretzky uses this room to insert an extra beat into his actions. In front of the net, eyeball to eyeball with the goaltender&nbsp;... he will&nbsp;... hold the puck one&nbsp;... extra instant, upsetting the anticipated rhythm of the game, extending the moment.&nbsp;... He distorts time, and not only by slowing it down. Sometimes he will release the puck before he appears to be ready, threading the pass through a maze of players precisely to the blade of a teammate's stick, or finding a chink in a goaltender's armour and slipping the puck into it&nbsp;... before the goaltender is ready to react."{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|pp=174–175}}

Commentators have noted Gretzky's uncanny ability to judge the position of the other players on the ice—so much so that many suspected he enjoyed some kind of [[extrasensory perception]], that he played like he had "eyes in the back of his head".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/1093-6030/ |title=Ordinary guy with extraordinary talent |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 8, 1977 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |archive-date=April 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418201312/http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/1093-6030/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky said he sensed other players more than he saw them. "I get a feeling about where a teammate is going to be", he said. "A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking."<ref name="Young"/> Gretzky explained that what appeared to be instinct was, in large part, the effect of his relentless study and practice of the game, in co-operation with his coaches. As a result, he developed a deep understanding of its shifting patterns and dynamics. Gzowski said that Gretzky understood the game so well, that he could instantly recognize and capitalize upon emerging patterns of play: "What we take to be creative genius is in fact a reaction to a situation that he has stored in his brain as deeply and firmly as his own phone number." Gretzky agreed with this assessment, saying, "That's a hundred percent right. It's all practice. I got it from my Dad. . . . Nobody would ever say a doctor had learned his profession by instinct; yet in my own way I've put in almost as much time studying hockey as a medical student puts in studying medicine."{{sfn|Gzowski|2001|pp=203–204}}

===Physical attributes===
When he entered the league in 1979, critics opined that Gretzky was "too small, too wiry, and too slow to be a force in the [NHL]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/big_players_waynegretzky.html |title=Wayne Gretzky—The Great One |website=OilersHeritage.com |access-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222073329/http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/big_players_waynegretzky.html |archive-date=February 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He weighed {{convert|160|lb}}, compared to the NHL average of {{convert|189|lb}} at that time.<ref name="growing">{{cite web |title=NHL is growing the game |url=http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=b6cf0e62-7503-42b6-b1b0-c998029c1f34 |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |via=canada.com |date=November 5, 2005 |access-date=January 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422133558/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=b6cf0e62-7503-42b6-b1b0-c998029c1f34 |archive-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref> But that year, Gretzky tied for first place in scoring, and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player.<ref>{{Cite book |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |year=1999 |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |chapter=Season by Season |page=95}}</ref> In his second year in the league, weighing just 165 pounds, he broke the previous single-season scoring record, racking up 164 points.<ref>{{cite book |last=Swift |first=E. M. |title=The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection |year=2012 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-8361-7 |page=31|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CiJ9kv5KRXAC&pg=PT52 |editor=Sports Illustrated |chapter=The Best and Getting Better}}</ref> The next year (1981–82), at 170 pounds—still "a wisp compared to the average NHL player"—he set the all-time goal-scoring record, putting 92 pucks in the net.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ranadivé |first=Vivek |title=The Two-Second Advantage: How We Succeed by Anticipating the Future—Just Enough |year=2011 |location=New York |isbn=978-0-307-88765-8 |page=3|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcPXkYt2E8gC |author2=Maney, Kevin |chapter=Wayne Gretzky's Brain in a Box |quote=In the 1981–82 hockey season, Wayne Gretzky broke the National Hockey League record by putting ninety-two pucks in the net. At the time he stood five feet eleven inches tall and weighed 170 pounds—a wisp compared to the average NHL player |publisher=Crown Business }}</ref> He weighed "about 170 pounds" for the better part of his career.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kramer |first=Garret |title=Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life |year=2012 |publisher=Atria Books/Beyond Words |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58270-388-6 |page=124 |quote=Hockey great Wayne Gretzky, for example, weighed about 170 pounds during the better part of his career.}}</ref> He consistently scored last in strength tests among the Edmonton Oilers, bench pressing only 140 pounds (64&nbsp;kg).{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=87}}

Despite his lack of strength, Gretzky had remarkable physical stamina. Like his hero, Gordie Howe, Gretzky possessed "an exceptional capacity to renew his energy resources quickly." In 1980, when an exercise physiologist tested the recuperative abilities of all of the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky scored so high that the tester said he "thought the machine had broken".{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|p=176}} His stamina is also indicated by the fact that Gretzky often scored late in the game. In the year he scored his record 92 goals, 22 of them went in the net during the first period, 30 in the second—and 40 in the third.<ref name="autogenerated71"/>

He also had strong general athletic skills. Growing up, he was a competitive runner and also [[batting average (baseball)|batted]] .492 for the Junior Intercounty Baseball League's Brantford CKCP Braves in the summer of 1980. As a result, he was offered a contract by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].{{sfn|Gzowski|2004|p=176}} Gretzky also excelled at [[box lacrosse]], which he played during the summer. At age ten, after scoring 196 goals in his hockey league, he scored 158 goals in lacrosse.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=14}}

According to Gretzky, lacrosse was where he learned to protect himself from hard [[Checking (ice hockey)|checks]]: "In those days you could be hit from behind in lacrosse, as well as cross-checked, so you had to learn how to roll body checks for self-protection."{{sfn|Gretzky|Davidson|1999|p=27}} Gretzky applied this technique as a professional player, avoiding checks with such skill that a rumour circulated that there was an unwritten rule not to hit him.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=95}} This was how Gretzky avoided serious injuries despite being undersized and entering the NHL during its "rough and tumble time"; Gretzky noted that his contemporary [[Mike Bossy]] "took a beating to score goals, which consequently led him to retire because his back took a beating".<ref>{{cite web |author=By&nbsp;Anthony Scultore |url=https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/wayne-gretzky-pays-respects-mike-bossy/ |title=Wayne Gretzky pays respects to Islanders great Mike Bossy, who passed away at 65 - Forever Blueshirts: A site for New York Rangers fanatics |publisher=Forever Blueshirts |date=April 15, 2022 |accessdate=May 25, 2022 |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524005842/https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/wayne-gretzky-pays-respects-mike-bossy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Defencemen found Gretzky a most elusive target. The 205-pound (93&nbsp;kg) [[Denis Potvin]], a fellow Hall of Famer, compared attempting to hit Gretzky to "wrapping your arms around fog. You saw him but when you reached out to grab him your hands felt nothing, maybe just a chill."{{sfn|Potvin|1999|p=89}}

Gretzky received a good deal of cover from burly Oiler enforcers [[Dave Semenko]] and Marty McSorley.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tychkowski|first=Robert|title=Edmonton Oilers have had some of the NHL's best enforcers|work=Edmonton Sun|date=February 24, 2013|url=https://edmontonsun.com/2013/02/24/edmonton-oilers-have-had-some-of-the-nhls-best-enforcers|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725001957/https://edmontonsun.com/2013/02/24/edmonton-oilers-have-had-some-of-the-nhls-best-enforcers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brenker|first=Aaron|title=Gloves Off: The 10 Top NHL Enforcers of All Time|newspaper=Bleacher Report|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/52772-gloves-off-the-10-top-nhl-enforcers-of-all-time|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804005820/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/52772-gloves-off-the-10-top-nhl-enforcers-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weekes|1999|p=9}} The latter was traded with Gretzky in 1988 to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played the same policeman role for several more years.{{sfn|Weekes|1999|p=9}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Clinton|first=Jared|title='The Trade' Retrospective: What became of other players in Gretzky deal between Kings, Oilers?|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=August 9, 2018|url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/the-trade-retrospective-what-became-of-other-players-in-gretzky-deal-between-kings-oilers|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111165733/https://www.si.com/hockey/news/the-trade-retrospective-what-became-of-other-players-in-gretzky-deal-between-kings-oilers|url-status=live}}</ref> But Gretzky discouraged unfair hits in another way. "If a guy ran him, Wayne would embarrass that guy", said former Oiler [[Lee Fogolin]]. "He'd score six or seven points on him. I saw him do it night after night."{{sfn|Weekes|1999|p=9}}

==Post-retirement==
Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the [[Open Ice Summit]], held in August 1999 to discuss ways to improve Canadian ice hockey.<ref name="apr-14-1999">{{cite news |title=Hockey summit to target junior leagues |last=LeBrun |first=Pierre |date=April 14, 1999 |newspaper=Brandon Sun |location=Brandon, Manitoba |agency=The Canadian Press |page=13 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-14-1999-1717120/ |access-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128195333/https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-14-1999-1717120/ |url-status=live }}{{free access}}</ref> He stressed the need to play and practice hockey for the love of the game,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/08/25/walking_in_the_footsteps_of_hockey_inaction.html |title=Walking in the footsteps of hockey inaction |last=Cribb |first=Robert |date=August 25, 2010 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406231158/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/08/25/walking_in_the_footsteps_of_hockey_inaction.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and felt that skill was more important to develop than talent and that Canada had the potential to be world leaders in skill development.<ref name="apr-14-1999" />

Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999, becoming the tenth player to bypass the three-year waiting period.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/hall_of_fame/news/1999/11/22/gretzky_hall_ap/index.html |title=Gretzky officially welcomed into Hockey Hall of Fame |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 23, 1999 |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608024738/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/hall_of_fame/news/1999/11/22/gretzky_hall_ap/index.html |archive-date=June 8, 2012}}</ref> The Hall of Fame then announced that he would be the last player to do so.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/ind99wg4.htm |title=Induction Showcase&nbsp;– Wayne Gretzky |website=legendsofhockey.net |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615232132/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/ind99wg4.htm |archive-date=June 15, 2011}}</ref> He was inducted into the [[IIHF Hall of Fame]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/history/the-iihf/iihf-hall-of-fame.html |title=IIHF Hall of Fame |publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]] |access-date=April 25, 2008 |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829053409/http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/history/the-iihf/iihf-hall-of-fame.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, Gretzky's jersey number 99 was retired league-wide at the [[50th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2000 NHL All-Star Game]], a decision inspired by [[Major League Baseball]]'s retirement of the number 42 worn by [[Jackie Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game |work=CNNSports Illustrated. Associated Press |date=February 6, 2000 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112022319/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> In October 1999, Edmonton honoured Gretzky by renaming one of Edmonton's busiest freeways, Capilano Drive—which passes by Northlands Coliseum—to [[Wayne Gretzky Drive]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton-pays-tribute-to-wayne-gretzky-1.174152 |title=Edmonton pays tribute to Wayne Gretzky |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=October 1, 1999 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105216/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton-pays-tribute-to-wayne-gretzky-1.174152 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in Edmonton, the local transit authority assigned a rush-hour bus route numbered No. 99 which also runs on Wayne Gretzky Drive for its commute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/transit/route_schedules_and_maps/current/RT099.pdf |title=Route 99 |publisher=Edmonton Transit System |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201132832/http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/transit/route_schedules_and_maps/current/RT099.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Wayne Gretzky Star on Canada's Walk of Fame.jpg|thumb|Gretzky's star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]]. He received the honour in 2002.]]
In 2002, the Kings held a jersey retirement ceremony and erected a life-sized [[Statue of Wayne Gretzky|statue of Gretzky]] outside the [[Staples Center]]; the ceremony was delayed until then so that Bruce McNall, who had recently finished a prison sentence, could attend.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2002/1009/1443724.html |title=Gretzky jersey ceremony turns into L.A. lovefest |work=ESPN |date=October 11, 2002 |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025081916/http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2002/1009/1443724.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2002, Gretzky received a star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 Inductees |website=canadaswalkoffame.com |publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame |url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/2002 |access-date=August 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223338/http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/2002 |url-status=live }}</ref> His hometown of Brantford, Ontario, renamed Park Road North to "Wayne Gretzky Parkway" as well as renaming the North Park Recreation Centre to The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. Brantford further inducted Gretzky into its "Walk of Fame" in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Genealogy: Sports |website=brantford.library.on.ca |publisher=Brantford Public Library |url=http://www.brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/famoussports.php |access-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070924142038/http://www.brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/famoussports.php |archive-date=September 24, 2007}}</ref> On May 10, 2010, he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Names In The News |work=Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2010/05/Issue-178/Sports-Industrialists.aspx |access-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011055255/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2010/05/Issue-178/Sports-Industrialists.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref> Gretzky was named one of the [[100 Greatest NHL Players]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=NHL reveals its 100 greatest players |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=January 27, 2017 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/01/27/the-nhl-100-hockeys-greatest-players-honored-in-centennial/97174336/ |access-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316115804/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/01/27/the-nhl-100-hockeys-greatest-players-honored-in-centennial/97174336/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Phoenix Coyotes===
Almost immediately after retirement, several NHL teams approached Gretzky about an ownership role.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky turns down offers; Six NHL teams court him for ownership role |last=Campbell |first=Kent |work=Toronto Star |page=1}}</ref> In May 2000, he agreed to buy a 10% stake in the [[Phoenix Coyotes]] in a partnership with majority owner Steve Ellman, taking on the roles of alternate governor, managing partner and head of hockey operations.<ref name="gallagher">{{cite news |work=The Province |page=A81 |title=Great One saves hockey in Phoenix |last=Gallagher |first=Tony |date=May 28, 2000}}</ref> The Coyotes were in the process of being sold and Ellman convinced Gretzky to come on board, averting a potential move to [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name="gallagher"/> The sale was not completed until the following year, on February 15, 2001, after two missed deadlines while securing financing and partners before Ellman and Gretzky could take over. Trucking magnate and [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] part-owner [[Jerry Moyes]] was added to the partnership.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky era begins: The Great One, Ellman complete purchase of Coyotes |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |page=C12 |date=February 16, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=East Valley Tribune |title=Ellman leaving Coyotes ownership group |last=Paulson |first=Matt |date=April 12, 2006 |url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/ellman-leaving-coyotes-ownership-group/article_52e232d6-bd0c-5a5b-bb7c-3b444611c94e.html |access-date=April 30, 2017 |archive-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031124335/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/ellman-leaving-coyotes-ownership-group/article_52e232d6-bd0c-5a5b-bb7c-3b444611c94e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky convinced his long-time agent Michael Barnett to join the team as its General Manager.<ref>{{cite news |work=Calgary Herald |page=E2 |date=August 29, 2001 |title=Barnett joins Gretzky in desert: Former agent new GM in Phoenix}}</ref>

In 2005, rumours began circulating that Gretzky was about to name himself head coach of the Coyotes, but were denied by Gretzky and the team.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sports Desk |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E2D91E3CF930A35755C0A9669C8B63 |title=Plus: N.H.L.—Phoenix; Gretzky's Role To Be Limited |work=The New York Times |date=June 3, 2000 |access-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012170206/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E2D91E3CF930A35755C0A9669C8B63 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, Gretzky agreed to become head coach on August 8, 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-coach-phoenix-coyotes-1.535179 |title=Gretzky to coach Phoenix Coyotes |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=August 8, 2005 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202151109/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-coach-phoenix-coyotes-1.535179 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=138883 |title=Canucks spoil Great One's coaching debut |publisher=The Sports Network |agency=Associated Press |date=October 6, 2005 |access-date=April 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112120844/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=138883 |archive-date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> and won his first game, on October 8 against the [[Minnesota Wild]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2005020037 |title=Minnesota Wild 1, Phoenix Coyotes 2 Final |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 8, 2005 |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117010700/http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2005020037 |url-status=live }}</ref> He took an indefinite [[leave of absence]] on December 17 to be with his ill mother. Phyllis Gretzky died of lung cancer on December 19.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2265795 |title='Toughest' of the Gretzkys, Phyllis dies at 64 |work=ESPN |date=December 20, 2005 |access-date=April 25, 2008 |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207174016/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2265795 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky resumed his head-coaching duties on December 28.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-return-to-coyotes-wednesday-1.567129 |title=Gretzky to return to Coyotes Wednesday |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 28, 2005 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101150410/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-to-return-to-coyotes-wednesday-1.567129 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Coyotes' record at the end of the 2005–06 season was 38–39–5, a 16-win improvement over 2003–04; they were 36–36–5 in games Gretzky coached.<ref name="steps"/>

In 2006, Moyes became majority owner of the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=NHL approves ownership moves for St. Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes |location=Toronto |work=National Post |date=June 22, 2006 |page=B10}}</ref> There was uncertainty about Gretzky's role<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky ponders his future amid ownership shuffle |last=Bagnato |first=Andrew |location=Toronto |work=The Globe and Mail |date=April 14, 2006 |page=S4}}</ref> until it was announced on May 31, 2006, that he had agreed to a five-year contract to remain head coach.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=167404 |title=Gretzky returns with five-year extension |publisher=The Sports Network |date=May 31, 2006 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112153124/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=167404 |archive-date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> The Coyotes' performance declined in 2006–07, as the team ended the season 15th in their conference. During Gretzky's coaching tenure, the Coyotes did not reach the postseason, and their best finish in the Western Conference standings was 12th.<ref name="steps"/>

On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] bankruptcy. An ownership dispute involving [[Research in Motion]]'s [[Jim Balsillie]] (to relocate the team to [[Hamilton, Ontario]]) and the NHL itself arose, which eventually ended up in court. Gretzky did not attend the Coyotes' training camp, leaving associate head coach [[Ulf Samuelsson]] in charge, due to an uncertain contractual status with the club, whose bankruptcy hearings were continuing. Bidders for the club had indicated that Gretzky would no longer be associated with the team after it emerged from bankruptcy, and on September 24, 2009, Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations of the Coyotes. Gretzky's final head coaching record was 143–161–24.<ref name="steps">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904 |title=Gretzky steps down as Coyotes coach |work=ESPN |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=September 24, 2009 |archive-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928091917/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Winter Olympics===
Gretzky was executive director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in [[Salt Lake City]], Utah. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a [[News conference|press conference]], frustrated with media and fan comments regarding his team's uninspiring 1–1–1 start.<ref name="record-lash-report">{{cite news |title=It's us against the world, emotional Gretzky says; The Great One even lashes out against 'American propaganda' |work=The Record |page=D1 |date=February 19, 2002}}</ref> His temper boiled over after Canada's 3–3&nbsp;draw versus the Czech Republic, as he launched a tirade against the perceived negative reputation of Team Canada amongst other national squads, and called rumours of dissent in the dressing room the result of "American propaganda". "They're loving us not doing well", he said, referring to American hockey fans.<ref name="record-lash-report"/> American fans online began calling Gretzky a "crybaby"; defenders said he was merely borrowing a page from former coach Glen Sather to take the pressure off his players. Gretzky addressed those comments by saying he spoke out to protect the Canadian players, and the tirade was not "staged".<ref>{{cite news |last=Scanlan |first=Wayne |date=February 20, 2002 |title=Gretzky: No regrets: The Canadian hockey team boss says he spoke out, loudly, to 'protect' his players |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=C1}}</ref> The Canadian team won the gold medal, its first in 50&nbsp;years.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/24/usa_canada_ap/ |title=Stand on guard for thee |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 25, 2002 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018183530/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/24/usa_canada_ap/ |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref>

Gretzky again acted as executive director of Canada's men's [[Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|hockey]] team at the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] in [[Turin, Italy]], though not with the success of 2002; the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals and failed to win a medal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Alan |url=https://www.olympics.com.au/news/gretzky-moved-to-tears-as-russia-beats-canada-2-0/ |title=Gretzky moved to tears as Russia beats Canada 2–0 |website=olympics.com.au |publisher=[[Australian Olympic Committee]] |agency=Associated Press |date=February 23, 2006 |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216194930/https://www.olympics.com.au/news/gretzky-moved-to-tears-as-russia-beats-canada-2-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 [[Ice Hockey World Championships]], but declined due to his mother's poor health.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/?id=119130 |title=Statement from Wayne Gretzky |publisher=The Sports Network |date=March 21, 2005 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112102049/http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/?id=119130 |archive-date=January 12, 2009}}</ref>

[[File:2010 Opening Ceremonies - Lighting Interior Cauldron.jpg|thumb|right|The lighting of an Olympic cauldron inside [[BC Place Stadium]] during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.]]

Gretzky served as an ambassador to Vancouver's successful bid for the [[2010 Winter Olympics]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Wayne Gretzky, in China, says NHL letting its stars play in Olympics is 'better for everyone'|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/wayne-gretzky-in-china-says-nhl-letting-its-stars-play-in-olympics-is-better-for-everyone/|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=CBS Sports|date=September 13, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160040/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/wayne-gretzky-in-china-says-nhl-letting-its-stars-play-in-olympics-is-better-for-everyone/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named Special Advisor to Canada's men's [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|hockey]] team at the Games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canada Roster – 2010 Olympic Winter Games|url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Team-Canada/Men/Olympics/2010/Rosters/CAN|access-date=July 31, 2014|website=hockeycanada.ca|publisher=Hockey Canada|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808223214/http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Team-Canada/Men/Olympics/2010/Rosters/CAN|url-status=live}}</ref> During the Games' [[2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]], Gretzky, basketball player [[Steve Nash]], skier [[Nancy Greene]], and speed skater [[Catriona Le May Doan]] jointly lit the [[Olympic flame|Olympic cauldron]] inside the ceremony venue of [[BC Place]].<ref>{{cite web|date=February 14, 2010|title=Anxious moments during cauldron malfunction|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/anxious-moments-during-cauldron-malfunction-20100214-nz57.html|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526154820/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/anxious-moments-during-cauldron-malfunction-20100214-nz57.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to BC Place being an indoor stadium, and Olympic protocols stating that the lighting of the cauldron should be visible to the public, Gretzky was then escorted out of the stadium to light a second, outdoor cauldron outside the [[Vancouver Convention Centre]], making him the ''de facto'' final torchbearer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crawford|first=Tiffany|date=February 13, 2010|title=People chase Gretzky through the streets of Vancouver|newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun|Vancouver Sun]]|publisher=CanWest Publishing|url=https://vancouversun.com/People+chase+Wayne+Gretzky+through+streets+Vancouver/2558755/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216130848/http://www.vancouversun.com/People%2Bchase%2BWayne%2BGretzky%2Bthrough%2Bstreets%2BVancouver/2558755/story.html|archive-date=February 16, 2010}}</ref>

===Alumni games===
{{main|2003 Heritage Classic|2017 NHL Winter Classic}}
Although Gretzky had previously stated he would not participate in any "old-timers exhibition games",<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2003 |title=Oilers will play Canadiens in outdoor game |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0603/1562539.html |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112194019/http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0603/1562539.html |url-status=live }}</ref> on November 22, 2003, he took to the ice to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. The Heritage Classic, held at [[Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)|Commonwealth Stadium]] in Edmonton, was the first regular season NHL game to be played outdoors.<ref name="Heritage">{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Kevin |title=Fans, players bundle up for historic game |work=USA Today |date=November 22, 2003 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/games/2003-11-22-canadiens-oilers-_x.htm |access-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-date=July 29, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040729210044/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/games/2003-11-22-canadiens-oilers-_x.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was preceded by the Mega Stars game, which featured Gretzky and many of his [[Edmonton Oilers#Dynasty years (1983–1990)|Oiler Dynasty]] teammates against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players (whose likes included [[Claude Lemieux]], [[Guy Lafleur]] and others). Despite frigid temperatures, the crowd numbered 57,167, with an additional several million watching the game on television.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yario |first=Kara |title=On frozen pond |work=[[The Sporting News]] |date=December 1, 2003 |pages=20–21}}</ref> The Edmonton alumni won the Megastars game 2–0,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oilers' oldies blank Canadiens' greats |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 22, 2003 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/heritageclassic/features/megastars.html |access-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124160410/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/heritageclassic/features/megastars.html |archive-date=November 24, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Montreal went on to win the regular season game held later that day, 4–3.<ref name="Heritage"/>

Thirteen years later, on December 31, 2016, Gretzky participated in the Winter Classic Alumni Game, which was held between teams of former [[Chicago Blackhawks]] and St. Louis Blues players two days before the 2017 Winter Classic. Gretzky represented the Blues in the game, which his team won 8–7.<ref>{{cite web |last=Basu |first=Arpon |title=Wayne Gretzky at home in St. Louis |publisher=National Hockey League |date=December 31, 2016 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-appreciates-blues-blackhawks-alumni-game/c-285212980 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130154808/https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-appreciates-blues-blackhawks-alumni-game/c-285212980 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Edmonton Oilers===
In October 2016, Gretzky returned to the Oilers as a partner and vice-chairman of the team's parent company, [[Oilers Entertainment Group]], to work closely with owner [[Daryl Katz]] and Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson on the business side of the Oilers' operation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne Gretzky returns to Oilers in executive role |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=The Canadian Press |date=October 13, 2016 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-wayne-gretzky-partner-vp-1.3802103 |access-date=November 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019220456/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-wayne-gretzky-partner-vp-1.3802103 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 25, 2021, Gretzky announced that he would step down from his role with the Oilers, stating that "The Oilers, their fans, and the city of Edmonton have meant the world to me and my family for over four decades—and that will never end. Given the [[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]] and other life changes, I realize I will not be able to dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Wayne Gretzky stepping away from role with Edmonton Oilers|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7892132/wayne-gretzky-stepping-away-from-edmonton-oilers/|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526012426/https://globalnews.ca/news/7892132/wayne-gretzky-stepping-away-from-edmonton-oilers/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was subsequently reported by various outlets that Gretzky had signed with new U.S. NHL rightsholder [[Turner Sports]] to become an analyst.<ref name=":0" /> He serves as a studio analyst for NHL broadcasts on [[NHL on TNT|TNT and TBS]].

==Personal life==
Gretzky has made several TV appearances, including as a ''[[Dance Fever]]'' celebrity judge, and acted in a dramatic role alongside [[Victor Newman]] in ''[[The Young and the Restless]]'' in 1981.{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=93}} In 1984, he travelled to the Soviet Union to film a television program on Russian goaltender [[Vladislav Tretiak]].{{sfn|Redmond|1993|p=94}} Gretzky was a [[List of Saturday Night Live guests|guest host]] of the American late night variety show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 1989.{{sfn|Taylor|1994|p=120}} A fictional crime-fighting version of him served as one of the main characters in the cartoon ''[[ProStars]]'' in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Craig |title=Bo-ners, Re-gretz and Mike-believe Two-line Head In Forms |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=September 15, 1991 |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-15/sports/9102050687_1_bo-jackson-first-adventure-shark |access-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413152932/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-15/sports/9102050687_1_bo-jackson-first-adventure-shark |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2016, Gretzky made a cameo on a [[The Nightmare After Krustmas|Christmas episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' as a winter character.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Luke |title=Gotta See It: Wayne Gretzky's very brief 'Simpsons' cameo |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-simpsons-watch-episode-christmas-santa-maggie-dream/ |website=sportsnet.ca |publisher=Sportsnet |date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=December 22, 2016 |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223062518/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-simpsons-watch-episode-christmas-santa-maggie-dream/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gretzky is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, having become a naturalized citizen of the latter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Treble|first=Patricia|date=November 13, 2018|title=Why won't Wayne Gretzky pick up his Order of Canada?|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/why-wont-wayne-gretzky-pick-up-his-order-of-canada/|access-date=February 11, 2022|website=Maclean's|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212014152/https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/why-wont-wayne-gretzky-pick-up-his-order-of-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Rayman|first=Noah|date=August 21, 2013|title=Wayne Gretzky {{!}} They Live Among Us! 10 Canadians Who Became Americans|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/08/21/they-live-among-us-10-canadians-who-became-americans/slide/wayne-gretzky/|access-date=February 12, 2022|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212014144/https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/08/21/they-live-among-us-10-canadians-who-became-americans/slide/wayne-gretzky/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Family===
[[File:Janet & Wayne Gretzky - DSC 0214.jpg|thumb|Janet and Wayne Gretzky in December 2013]]
While serving as a judge on ''Dance Fever'', Gretzky met actress [[Janet Jones]].{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=140}} According to Gretzky, Jones does not recall his being on the show.{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=140}} They met regularly after that, but did not become a couple until 1987 when they ran into each other at a [[Los Angeles Lakers]] game.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/09/14/gallery.celebrities/content.4.html |title=Power Couples |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 14, 2005 |access-date=February 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232555/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/09/14/gallery.celebrities/content.4.html |archive-date=December 30, 2013}}</ref> Gretzky proposed in January 1988,{{sfn|Gretzky|Reilly|1990|p=145}} and they were married on July 16, 1988, in a lavish ceremony the Canadian press dubbed "The Royal Wedding".<ref name="TerryJones">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Terry |url=http://www.slam.canoe.ca/GretzkyRetires/apr19_99edm_bio5.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20040930001254/http://www.slam.canoe.ca/GretzkyRetires/apr19_99edm_bio5.html |archive-date=September 30, 2004 |title=The Royal Wedding |work=Edmonton Sun |date=April 19, 1999 |via=slam.canoe.ca |url-status=usurped |access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> Broadcast live throughout Canada from [[St. Joseph Cathedral (Edmonton)|Edmonton's St. Joseph's Basilica]], members of the Fire Department acted as ceremonial guards. The event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=McRae |first=Earl |title=The many faces of Miss Jones |work=The Ottawa Sun |date=February 10, 2006}}</ref>

The couple have five children: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. Paulina and golfer [[Dustin Johnson]] announced their engagement on August 18, 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/18/paulina-gretzky-engaged-dustin-johnson_n_3776329.html |title=Paulina Gretzky Engaged To PGA Star Dustin Johnson |work=HuffPost |access-date=July 20, 2014 |date=August 18, 2013 |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626025844/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/18/paulina-gretzky-engaged-dustin-johnson_n_3776329.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and married on April 23, 2022, in Tennessee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2022/04/25/dustin-johnson-paulina-gretzky-tie-the-knot-married-wedding |title=Dustin Johnson, Paulina Gretzky tie the knot |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=PGA Tour}}</ref> Ty played hockey at [[Shattuck-Saint Mary's]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/160706 |title=Tied by great expectations |work=Toronto Star |date=December 18, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813205422/http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/160706 |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but quit the sport, and attended [[Arizona State University]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bourquin |first=Bruce |title=The Front Row With Bruce Bourquin: June 13, 2014 |work=Coeur d'Alene Press |date=June 13, 2014 |url=http://cdapress.com/news/sports/article_1cb29732-1fbd-5994-90ff-aff7010b2860.html |access-date=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107072205/http://www.cdapress.com/news/sports/article_1cb29732-1fbd-5994-90ff-aff7010b2860.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Trevor is a former minor league baseball player.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gretzk000tre |title=Trevor Gretzky statistics |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515232041/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gretzk000tre |url-status=live }}</ref>

His father Walter died in 2021 at the age of 82.<ref>{{cite web|title=Walter Gretzky, father of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, dies at 82|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7678726/walter-gretzky-death-wayne-father-hockey/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627182305/https://globalnews.ca/news/7678726/walter-gretzky-death-wayne-father-hockey/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Business ventures===
Gretzky owned or partnered in the ownership of two sports teams before becoming a partner in the Phoenix Coyotes. In 1985, Gretzky bought the [[Hull Olympiques]] of the [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League]] for C$175,000.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |date=March 8, 1985 |title=Gretzky buys Hull juniors |page=C9}}</ref> During his ownership, the team's colours were changed to silver and black, presaging the change in team jersey colours when he played for the Los Angeles Kings. For the first season that Gretzky played in Los Angeles, the Kings had their training camp at the Olympiques' arena.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky brings Kings to Hull |last=Morrissey |first=Bob |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |date=September 12, 1989 |page=F1}}</ref> Gretzky sold the team in 1992 for C$550,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Junior Hockey; Gretzky sells his team; There will be at least another three Olympiques years in Hull; Senators want to train in Hull, but Henry not big on idea |page=E3 |date=May 15, 1992 |last1=Warren |first1=Ken |last2=Mayoh |first2=Rick |work=Ottawa Citizen}}</ref>

[[File:Wayne Gretzky's 99 (15548285008).jpg|thumb|''Wayne Gretzky's'', downtown Toronto, pictured in 2014]]
In 1991, McNall purchased the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) with Gretzky and [[John Candy]] as minority owners.<ref name="kelly">{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Malcolm |title=Rocket Men: The far-out (but true) story of the '91 Argos |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/rocket-ismail-argos |access-date=November 29, 2018 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819111745/http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/rocket-ismail-argos |url-status=live }}</ref> The club won the [[Grey Cup]] championship in the first year of the partnership but struggled in the two following seasons, and the partnership sold the team before the 1994 season.<ref name=kelly/><ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto Argonauts sold for $4.7 million |work=United Press International |date=May 5, 1994 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/05/05/Toronto-Argonauts-sold-for-47-million/1852768110400/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215173124/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/05/05/Toronto-Argonauts-sold-for-47-million/1852768110400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Only McNall's name was engraved on the Grey Cup as team owner, but in November 2007, the CFL corrected the oversight, adding Gretzky's and Candy's names.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/gretzky-candy-to-get-names-etched-on-grey-cup-1.686330 |title=Gretzky, Candy to get names etched on Grey Cup |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=May 29, 2007 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=April 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419090537/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/gretzky-candy-to-get-names-etched-on-grey-cup-1.686330 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1992, Gretzky and McNall partnered in an investment to buy a rare [[T206|T206 cigarette card]] of [[Honus Wagner]] for US$451,000, later selling the card. It most recently sold for US$2.8 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/honus-wagner-card-sells-for-record-2-8m-1.672892 |title=Honus Wagner card sells for record $2.8M |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 6, 2007 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926185237/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/honus-wagner-card-sells-for-record-2-8m-1.672892 |url-status=live }}</ref> The pair also owned [[Thoroughbred]] race horses; one of them, [[Saumarez (horse)|Saumarez]], won France's [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]] in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |last=Milbert |first=Neil |title=Gretzky A Great One Among Thoroughbred Owners, Too |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 24, 1990 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/10/24/gretzky-a-great-one-among-thoroughbred-owners-too/ |access-date=August 12, 2017 |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813011421/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-10-24/sports/9003300929_1_golden-pheasant-kings-owner-los-angeles-kings-owner |url-status=live}}</ref> Gretzky was a board member and executive officer of the Hespeler Hockey Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gretzky will work closer with Hespeler Hockey |work=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal |date=May 18, 1999 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/1999/05/17/daily9.html |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>

Gretzky's appeal as a product endorser far surpassed that of other hockey players of his era. By 1995, he was among the five highest-paid athlete endorsers in North America, with deals from [[The Coca-Cola Company]], [[Domino's Pizza]], [[Sharp Corporation]], and [[Upper Deck Company]] among others.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wigge |first=Larry |title=Gretzky Ranks Among Elite In Arena of Endorsements |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 19, 1995 |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950219&slug=2105837 |access-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527071328/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950219&slug=2105837 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates that Gretzky made US$93.8&nbsp;million from 1990 to 1998.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |title=The Great One |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00229711.html |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702072005/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00229711.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has endorsed and launched a wide variety of products, from pillowcases to insurance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Richler |first=Mordecai |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20F17FA3E5D0C7A8EDDA00894DD484D81 |title=King of the New Canada |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 1985 |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/gretzky-talks-about-tylenol-headache-1.181122 |title=Gretzky talks about Tylenol headache |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 10, 2000 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729044529/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/1999/09/21/gretzkytyl990921.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky is a partner in First Team Sports, a maker of sports equipment and Worldwide Roller Hockey, Inc., an operator of roller hockey rinks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hockey Great Wayne Gretzky and First Team Sports Partner in Hockey Equipment Company |agency=PR Newswire |date=October 6, 1997 |website=thefreelibrary.com |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hockey+Great+Wayne+Gretzky+and+First+Team+Sports+Partner+in+Hockey...-a019818937 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810063141/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hockey+Great+Wayne+Gretzky+and+First+Team+Sports+Partner+in+Hockey...-a019818937 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Skeen |first=Jim |title=Gretzky Center Rising in A.V. |work=Los Angeles Daily News |date=March 16, 1999 |page=AV1}}</ref> The video game brand [[EA Sports]] included Gretzky in its 2010 title ''[[NHL Slapshot]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Tilley |first=Steve |title=Great One getting back in the game |website=Canoe.com |date=May 29, 2010 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/05/28/14173601.html |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529050328/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/05/28/14173601.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and he had previously been an endorser for the [[989 Sports]] games ''[[Gretzky NHL 2005]]'' and ''[[Gretzky NHL 2006]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Wayne Gretzky Takes the Ice With 989 Sports for Signature Hockey Franchise |website=us.playstation.com |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=August 5, 2004 |url=https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-computer-entertainment-america-inc/2004/wayne-gretzky-takes-the-ice-with-989-sports-for-signature-hockey-franchise.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216194926/https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-computer-entertainment-america-inc/2004/wayne-gretzky-takes-the-ice-with-989-sports-for-signature-hockey-franchise.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gretzky NHL 06 |website=IGN |url=http://www.ign.com/games/gretzky-nhl-06/ps2-748612 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529045222/http://www.ign.com/games/gretzky-nhl-06/ps2-748612 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2017 as part-owner with Andrew Peller Ltd., Gretzky opened a [[winery]] and [[distillery]] named ''Wayne Gretzky Estates'' in [[Niagara-on-the-Lake|Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario]], with products labelled by the trademark ''No. 99''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our story: Gretzky Estates Winery |website=gretzkyestateswines.com |publisher=Wayne Gretzky Estates |url=http://www.gretzkyestateswines.com/our-story/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130071514/http://www.gretzkyestateswines.com/our-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wayne Gretzky Estates |url=http://www.andrewpeller.com/gretzky.php |website=andrewpeller.com |publisher=Andrew Peller Ltd |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030257/http://www.andrewpeller.com/gretzky.php |url-status=live }}</ref> From 1993 to 2020, Gretzky and a business partner operated the ''Wayne Gretzky's'' restaurant near the [[Rogers Centre]] in downtown Toronto.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Wayne Gretzky's Toronto Celebrates 25 Years of Greatness |magazine=Foodservice and Hospitality |publisher=Kostuch Media Ltd |last=Bostock |first=Amy |date=March 29, 2018 |url=https://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/wayne-gretzkys-toronto-celebrates-25-years-of-greatness/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403071405/http://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/wayne-gretzkys-toronto-celebrates-25-years-of-greatness/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Hockey Canada Foundation Board of Directors |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/foundation/about/board |website=hockeycanada.ca |publisher=Hockey Canada |access-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070425/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/foundation/about/board |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=55 shades of Great: Random facts about Wayne Gretzky on his 55th birthday |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14621635/nhl-55-shades-great-facts-wayne-gretzky-55th-birthday |work=ESPN |access-date=December 10, 2018 |date=January 26, 2016 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070334/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14621635/nhl-55-shades-great-facts-wayne-gretzky-55th-birthday |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anthistle |first1=Miranda |title=Last call at Wayne Gretzky's sports bar in Toronto after 27 years |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7388551/wayne-gretzkys-sports-bar-closing/ |access-date=November 16, 2020 |publisher=Global News |date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101012204/https://globalnews.ca/news/7388551/wayne-gretzkys-sports-bar-closing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky has other restaurants opened in 2016 at the [[Edmonton International Airport]] and named ''No. 99 Gretzky's Wine & Whisky'',<ref>{{cite news |last=Klinkenberg |first=Marty |title=Wayne Gretzky to open restaurant at Edmonton International Airport |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/wayne-gretzky-to-open-restaurant-at-edmonton-international-airport/article31682683/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |date=September 1, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413161915/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/wayne-gretzky-to-open-restaurant-at-edmonton-international-airport/article31682683/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2018 called ''Studio 99'' at [[Rogers Place]] in Edmonton, [[Alberta]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lees |first=Nick |title=Nick Lees: Don Metz in spotlight as Wayne Gretzky opens new restaurant in Rogers Place |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/nick-lees-don-metz-in-spotlight-as-wayne-gretzky-opens-new-restaurant-in-rogers-place |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |access-date=November 29, 2018 |date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030341/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/nick-lees-don-metz-in-spotlight-as-wayne-gretzky-opens-new-restaurant-in-rogers-place |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Release: Studio 99 opens in Rogers Place October 18 |url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-studio-99-opens-in-rogers-place-october-18/c-300846522 |publisher=National Hockey League |author=Edmonton Oilers |access-date=December 10, 2018 |date=October 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070216/https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-studio-99-opens-in-rogers-place-october-18/c-300846522 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Books===
Gretzky has written several books, including ''Gretzky: An Autobiography'' (1990), with [[Rick Reilly]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodrich |first=Chris |title=Gretzky: An Autobiography By Wayne Gretzky with Rick Reilly (HarperCollins: $19.95; 258 pp.) |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 21, 1990 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-21-bk-4108-story.html |access-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601013940/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-21-bk-4108-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''99: My Life in Pictures'' (1999), with [[John Davidson (ice hockey)|John Davidson]] and Dan Diamond.<ref>{{cite book |title=99: My Life in Pictures |publisher=WorldCat |oclc=906845308}}</ref> His most recent work, ''99: Stories of the Game'' (2016), with [[Kirstie McLellan Day]], was an in-depth look at the history of hockey.<ref>{{cite news |last=Popplewell |first=Brett |title=Review: Wayne Gretzky writes hockey's history in 99 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=October 21, 2016 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-wayne-gretzky-writes-hockeys-history-in-99/article32469466/ |access-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809184112/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-wayne-gretzky-writes-hockeys-history-in-99/article32469466/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the best-selling Canadian book of 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/99-is-no-1-wayne-gretzky-s-hockey-book-is-top-selling-canadian-title-of-2016-1.636401 |title=Gretzky's book tops Canadian sales for 2016 |agency=The Canadian Press |date=December 21, 2016 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801120919/https://www.tsn.ca/99-is-no-1-wayne-gretzky-s-hockey-book-is-top-selling-canadian-title-of-2016-1.636401 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Political activity===
[[File:President Ronald Reagan greeting Wayne Gretzky.jpg|thumb|right|Gretzky with U.S. President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1982]]
In 2003, while not criticizing Canada for declining to participate in the [[invasion of Iraq]], Gretzky praised US President [[George W. Bush]] and his handling of the conflict, saying: "the President of the United States is a great leader, I happen to think he's a wonderful man and if he believes what he's doing is right, I back him 100 per cent."<ref>{{cite news |last=Graveland |first=Bill |title=Bush a great leader, Gretzky feels |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bush-a-great-leader-gretzky-feels/article25281806/ |access-date=February 23, 2020 |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=The Canadian Press |date=March 25, 2003 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101123402/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bush-a-great-leader-gretzky-feels/article25281806/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2015 Canadian federal election]] campaign, Gretzky endorsed the Conservative Party and Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]], and was featured at a campaign rally praising Harper as "wonderful to the country".<ref name=harper>{{cite news |title=Wayne Gretzky endorses Harper despite not being allowed to vote |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gretzky-harper-1.3234136 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130052006/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gretzky-harper-1.3234136 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a non-resident, Gretzky came under some criticism for this endorsement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Treble |first1=Patricia |title=Awarded Canada's top honour in 2009, Gretzky has yet to pick it up |url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/awarded-canadas-top-honour-in-2009-gretzky-has-yet-to-pick-it-up/ |access-date=October 20, 2015 |work=Maclean's |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019130515/http://www.macleans.ca/politics/awarded-canadas-top-honour-in-2009-gretzky-has-yet-to-pick-it-up/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Warmington |first1=Joe |title=Critics hit Gretzky with cheap shots |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/09/21/critics-hit-gretzky-with-cheap-shots |access-date=October 20, 2015 |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=September 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008152532/http://www.torontosun.com/2015/09/21/critics-hit-gretzky-with-cheap-shots |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Eijk |first1=Jan |title=Not so great |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/not-so-great |access-date=October 4, 2018 |work=Leader-Post |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035144/https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/not-so-great |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Jim |title=Does The Great One know about politics? |url=http://www.newskamloops.com/blog/post/does-the-great-one-know-about-politics |access-date=October 20, 2015 |work=Kamloops News |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035228/http://www.newskamloops.com/blog/post/does-the-great-one-know-about-politics |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodhand |first1=Margo |last2=Barnes |first2=Dan |last3=LeConte |first3=Julia |last4=Evans |first4=David |last5=Wittmeier |first5=Brent |last6=Kerr |first6=Kathy |title=Editorial: Gretzky endorsement of Harper a new political reality |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-gretzky-endorsement-of-harper-a-new-political-reality |access-date=October 4, 2018 |work=Edmonton Journal |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035207/https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-gretzky-endorsement-of-harper-a-new-political-reality |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Gretzky praised Harper at a fundraiser in Toronto, calling him "one of the greatest prime ministers ever".<ref name=harper/> In 2015, Gretzky endorsed [[Patrick Brown (Canadian politician)|Patrick Brown]] during his successful campaign for the [[2015 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election|leadership]] of the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]].<ref name=harper/> In 2024, he and his family attended the victory party for [[Donald Trump]] during the [[2024 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Wayne Gretzky, Elon Musk and a few pro golfers: Here's who attended Trump's victory party |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/wayne-gretzky-elon-musk-and-a-few-pro-golfers-here-s-who-attended-trump-s-victory-party-1.7101881 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>

In 2014, Gretzky, who is of Ukrainian heritage, was invited by [[Eugene Melnyk]] to speak at the United for Ukraine Gala fundraiser in Toronto in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Gretzky supported calls to ban Russian teams from international events as a consequence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2022 |title=Wayne Gretzky calls for Russia to be banned from rescheduled world juniors |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-calls-for-russia-to-be-banned-world-juniors-1.6366687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-27 |title=Wayne Gretzky and Dominik Hasek call for tough actions after Russia invades Ukraine - Forever Blueshirts |url=https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/wayne-gretzky-dominik-hasek-action-russia-invades-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=www.foreverblueshirts.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The following month, he shared a ceremonial puck-drop with a Ukrainian hockey player.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-13 |title=Gretzky, player from Ukraine share puck-drop ceremony at Heritage Classic |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gretzky-and-ukraine-player-share-puck-drop-at-heritage-classic-331789152 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Wayne Gretzky-HHOF.jpg|thumb|An exhibit on Gretzky at the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]]]]
{{see also|List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky}}
[[List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky|Gretzky's career achievements]] include a record nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hart Memorial Trophy winners |work=ESPN |date=June 24, 2015 |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlhart |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110090446/http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlhart |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1981 and 1994, he won the Art Ross Trophy, presented to the NHL's season points leader, 10 times.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art Ross Trophy winners |work=ESPN |date=June 13, 2016 |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlartross |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110161102/http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlartross |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky was named the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1985 and 1988, receiving the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Conn Smythe Trophy |publisher=National Hockey League |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24964 |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617123024/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24964 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, he earned the Lester B. Pearson Award (now [[Ted Lindsay Award]]) on five occasions; the award is given to the NHL's "most outstanding player", as determined by [[National Hockey League Players' Association]] members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Award History |website=nhlpa.com |publisher=National Hockey League Players' Association |url=http://www.nhlpa.com/the-players/ted-lindsay-award/award-history |access-date=January 11, 2018|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104192417/http://www.nhlpa.com/the-players/ted-lindsay-award/award-history |archive-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> The [[Lady Byng Memorial Trophy|Lady Byng Trophy]], awarded for sportsmanship and performance, was presented to Gretzky five times between 1980 and 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24938 |title=Lady Byng Memorial Trophy |access-date=December 13, 2011 |publisher=National Hockey League |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626141324/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24938 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gretzky was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1999, and into the [[IIHF Hall of Fame]] in 2000. He was an inaugural recipient of the [[Order of Hockey in Canada]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/awards/order-hockey-canada/honourees/wayne-gretzky|title=Wayne Gretzky–2012 Order of Hockey in Canada Honouree|year=2012|website=[[Hockey Canada]]|access-date=June 29, 2023|archive-date=June 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627215757/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/corporate/awards/order-hockey-canada/honourees/wayne-gretzky|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Wayne Gretzky International Award]] is presented by the [[United States Hockey Hall of Fame]] to honour international individuals who have made major contributions to the growth and advancement of hockey in the United States.<ref name="USHHOF">{{cite web |url=https://www.ushockeyhalloffame.com/page/show/809127-wayne-gretzky-international-award |title=Wayne Gretzky International Award |website=ushockeyhalloffame.com |publisher=United States Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118201624/https://www.ushockeyhalloffame.com/page/show/809127-wayne-gretzky-international-award |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Emile Francis to receive Wayne Gretzky award |publisher=National Hockey League |date=September 14, 2015 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/emile-francis-to-receive-wayne-gretzky-award/c-779014 |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108094248/https://www.nhl.com/news/emile-francis-to-receive-wayne-gretzky-award/c-779014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Wayne Gretzky 99 Award]] is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Ken |title=Erie, McDavid Lose OHL Final As Junior Hockey Says Goodbye To An All-Time Great |magazine=The Hockey News |date=May 15, 2015 |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/erie-mcdavid-lose-ohl-final-as-junior-hockey-says-goodbye-to-an-all-time-great |access-date=September 29, 2016 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920155205/http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/erie-mcdavid-lose-ohl-final-as-junior-hockey-says-goodbye-to-an-all-time-great |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Wayne Gretzky Trophy]] is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference.<ref>{{cite web |title=Storm Win Wayne Gretzky Trophy |website=ntariohockeyleague.com |publisher=Ontario Hockey League |date=April 25, 2014 |url=http://ontariohockeyleague.com/storm-win-wayne-gretzky-trophy/ |access-date=September 29, 2016 |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001200155/http://ontariohockeyleague.com/storm-win-wayne-gretzky-trophy/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Edmonton Minor Hockey Association also has an award named for Gretzky.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liewicki |first=Nathan |title=Young stars shine during Minor Hockey Week |work=Edmonton Journal |date=January 15, 2011 |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/young-stars-shine-during-minor-hockey-week |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024131405/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/young-stars-shine-during-minor-hockey-week |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2021, one of his 1979 [[O-Pee-Chee]] hockey cards sold for $3.75&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |last=VanHaaren |first=Tom |title=Wayne Gretzky rookie card sells for $3.75 million, shatters record for hockey card |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31521805/wayne-gretzky-rookie-card-sells-375-million-shatters-record-hockey-card |work=ESPN |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601234131/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31521805/wayne-gretzky-rookie-card-sells-375-million-shatters-record-hockey-card |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs===
Figures in '''''boldface italics''''' are NHL records.
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3" style="background:#fff;"|
! rowspan="100" style="background:#fff;"|
! colspan="5"|[[Regular season]]
! rowspan="100" style="background:#fff;"|
! colspan="5"|[[Playoffs]]
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP !! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]] !! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]] !! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]] !! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| 1975–76
| [[Toronto Nationals (1970–80)|Toronto Nationals]]
| [[Metro Junior A Hockey League|MetJHL]]
| 28 || 27 || 33 || 60 || 7
| — || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 1976–77
| [[Toronto Nationals (1970–80)|Seneca Nationals]]
| MetJHL
| 32 || 36 || 36 || 72 || 35 
| 23 || 40 || 35 || 75 || —
|-
| [[1976–77 OMJHL season|1976–77]]
| [[Peterborough Petes]]
| [[Ontario Hockey League|OMJHL]]
| 3 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 0
| — || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1977–78 OMJHL season|1977–78]]
| [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]]
| OMJHL
| 64 || 70 || 112 || 182 || 14
| 13 || 6 || 20 || 26 || 0
|-
| [[1978–79 WHA season|1978–79]]
| [[Indianapolis Racers]]
| [[World Hockey Association|WHA]]
| 8 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 0
| — || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 1978–79
| [[Edmonton Oilers]]
| WHA
| 72 || 43 || 61 || 104 || 19
| 13 || 10 || 10 || 20 || 2
|-
| [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 79 || 51 || 86 || 137 || 21
| 3 || 2 || 1 || 3 || 0
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 80 || 55 || 109 || 164 || 28
| 9 || 7 || 14 || 21 || 4
|-
| [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 80 || '''''92''''' || 120 || 212 || 26
| 5 || 5 || 7 || 12 || 8
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 80 || 71 || 125 || 196 || 59
| 16 || 12 || 26 || 38 || 4
|-
| [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 74 || 87 || 118 || 205 || 39
| 19 || 13 || 22 || 35 || 12
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1984–85 NHL season|1984–85]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 80 || 73 || 135 || 208 || 52
| 18 || 17 || 30 || '''''47''''' || 4
|-
| [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 80 || 52 || '''''163''''' || '''''215''''' || 46
| 10 || 8 || 11 || 19 || 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 79 || 62 || 121 || 183 || 28
| 21 || 5 || 29 || 34 || 6
|-
| [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 64 || 40 || 109 || 149 || 24
| 19 || 12 || 31 || 43 || 16
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89]]
| [[Los Angeles Kings]]
| NHL
| 78 || 54 || 114 || 168 || 26
| 11 || 5 || 17 || 22 || 0
|-
| [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 73 || 40 || 102 || 142 || 42
| 7 || 3 || 7 || 10 || 0
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 78 || 41 || 122 || 163 || 16
| 12 || 4 || 11 || 15 || 2
|-
| [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 74 || 31 || 90 || 121 || 34
| 6 || 2 || 5 || 7 || 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 45 || 16 || 49 || 65 || 6
| 24 || 15 || 25 || 40 || 4
|-
| [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 81 || 38 || 92 || 130 || 20
| — || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 48 || 11 || 37 || 48 || 6
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]
| Los Angeles Kings
| NHL
| 62 || 15 || 66 || 81 || 32
| — || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 1995–96
| [[St. Louis Blues]]
| NHL
| 18 || 8 || 13 || 21 || 2
| 13 || 2 || 14 || 16 || 0
|-
| [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]]
| [[New York Rangers]]
| NHL
| 82 || 25 || 72 || 97 || 28
| 15 || 10 || 10 || 20 || 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]
| New York Rangers
| NHL
| 82 || 23 || 67 || 90 || 28
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]]
| New York Rangers
| NHL
| 70 || 9 || 53 || 62 || 14
| — || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3" | WHA totals
! 80 !! 46 !! 64 !! 110 !! 19
! 13 !! 10 !! 10 !! 20 !! 2
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 1,487 !! ''894'' !! ''1,963'' !! ''2,857'' !! 577
! 208 !! ''122'' !! ''260'' !! ''382'' !! 66
|}

===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="102" style="background:#fff;"|
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| [[1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1978]]
| [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[IIHF World Junior Championship|WJC]]
| 6 || 8 || 9 || 17 || 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1981 Canada Cup|1981]]
| [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Canada Cup|CC]]
| 7 || 5 || 7 || 12 || 2
|-
| [[1982 World Ice Hockey Championships|1982]]
| Canada
| [[Ice Hockey World Championships|WC]]
| 10 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 0
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1984 Canada Cup|1984]]
| Canada
| CC
| 8 || 5 || 7 || 12 || 2
|-
| [[1987 Canada Cup|1987]]
| Canada
| CC
| 9 || 3 || 18 || 21 || 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1991 Canada Cup|1991]]
| Canada
| CC
| 7 || 4 || 8 || 12 || 2
|-
| [[1996 World Cup of Hockey|1996]]
| Canada
| [[World Cup of Hockey|WCH]]
| 8 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|1998]]
| Canada
| [[Ice hockey at the Olympics|OLY]]
| 6 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 2
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3"| Junior totals
! 6 !! 8 !! 9 !! 17 !! 2
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3"| Senior totals
! 55 !! 26 !! 56 !! 82 !! 12
|}

===All-Star games===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Location
! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! G !! A !! Pts
|-
| [[32nd National Hockey League All-Star Game|1980]]
| [[Detroit Red Wings|Detroit]]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[33rd National Hockey League All-Star Game|1981]]
| [[Los Angeles Kings|Inglewood]]
| 0 || 1 || 1
|-
| [[34th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1982]]
| [[Washington Capitals|Landover]]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[35th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1983]]
| [[New York Islanders|Uniondale]]
| 4 || 0 || 4
|-
| [[36th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1984]]
| [[New Jersey Devils|East Rutherford]]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[37th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1985]]
| [[Calgary Flames|Calgary]]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| [[38th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1986]]
| [[Hartford Whalers|Hartford]]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[39th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1988]]
| [[St. Louis Blues|St. Louis]]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| [[40th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1989]]
| [[Edmonton Oilers|Edmonton]]
| 1 || 2 || 3
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[41st National Hockey League All-Star Game|1990]]
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins|Pittsburgh]]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| [[42nd National Hockey League All-Star Game|1991]]
| [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago]]
| 1 || 0 || 1
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[43rd National Hockey League All-Star Game|1992]]
| [[Philadelphia Flyers|Philadelphia]]
| 1 || 2 || 3
|-
| [[44th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1993]]
| [[Montreal Canadiens|Montreal]]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[45th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1994]]
| [[New York Rangers|New York]]
| 0 || 2 || 2
|-
| [[46th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1996]]
| [[Boston Bruins|Boston]]
| 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[47th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1997]]
| [[San Jose Sharks|San Jose]]
| 0 || 1 || 1
|-
| [[48th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1998]]
| [[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]]
| 0 || 2 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[49th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1999]]
| [[Tampa Bay Lightning|Tampa]]
| 1 || 2 || 3
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | 18 All-Star games<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Records - All Star Skater Registry |url=https://records.nhl.com/all-star/career-register |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref>
! 13 !! 12 !! 25
|}

===Head coaching record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; width:50em"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="6"|Regular season !! Postseason
|-
! G !! W !! L !! OTL !! Pts !! Finish !! Result
|-
! [[Phoenix Coyotes]] !! [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| 82 || 38 || 39 || 5 || 81 || 5th in [[Pacific Division (NHL)|Pacific]] || Missed playoffs
|-
! Phoenix Coyotes !! [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]]
| 82 || 31 || 46 || 5 || 67 || 5th in Pacific || Missed playoffs
|-
! Phoenix Coyotes !! [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
| 82 || 38 || 37 || 7 || 83 || 4th in Pacific || Missed playoffs
|-
! Phoenix Coyotes !! [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]]
| 82 || 36 || 39 || 7 || 79 || 4th in Pacific || Missed playoffs
|-
! colspan="2"|Total !! 328 !! 143 !! 161 !! 24 !! &nbsp; !! &nbsp; !! &nbsp;
|}
'''Source:'''<ref name="NHLstats"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=2035 |title=Wayne Gretzky's profile |access-date=May 5, 2008 |website=hockeyDB.com |archive-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423085505/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=2035 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Ice hockey|Canada}}
* [[List of NHL statistical leaders]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=Blevins |first=Dave |year=2012 |title=The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Volume 1 |location=Lanham, Maryland |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6130-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Cole |first=Stephen |title=The Best of Hockey Night in Canada |year=2004 |publisher=McArthur & Company |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-55278-408-2}}
* {{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Reyn |chapter=WHA Teen Sensation |pages=51–52 |year=1999 | editor-last=Dryden | editor-first=Steve |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Inc. |location=Toronto}}
* {{cite book |last=Dryden |first=Ken |author-link=Ken Dryden |title=The Game |date=2013 |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1443427920}}
* {{cite book |last=Dryden |first=Steve |title=The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time |date=1998 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4175-4|editor-first=Steve|editor-last=Dryden |chapter=No Higher Level}}
* {{Cite book |last=Duplacey |first=James |year=2000 |title=The Official Rules of Hockey: An Anecdotal Look at the Rules of Hockey—and How They Came to Be |publisher=Globe Pequot |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58574-052-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/officialrulesofh00dupl}}
* {{cite book |last=Gretzky |first=Walter |title=On Family, Hockey and Healing |year=2001 |publisher=Random House Canada |isbn=978-0-679-31114-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/waltergretzkyonf00gret}}
* {{cite book |last=Gretzky |first=Wayne |chapter=Foreword |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time |date=1998 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-4175-4}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Gretzky |first1=Wayne |last2=Reilly |first2=Rick |year=1990 |title=Gretzky: An Autobiography |publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York |isbn=978-0-06-016339-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/gretzkyautobiogr00gret}}
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Diamond |editor-first=Dan |last1=Gretzky |first1=Wayne |last2=Davidson |first2=John |title=99: My Life in Pictures |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-920445-67-9 |publisher=Total Sports Canada |location=Toronto, Ontario |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/99mylifeinpictur0000gret}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gzowski |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Gzowski | editor-first = Edna | editor-last = Barker |year=2001 |title=A Peter Gzowski Reader |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-7710-3695-8 | url-access = registration |url=https://archive.org/details/petergzowskiread0000gzow}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gzowski |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Gzowski |year=2004 |title=The game of our lives |publisher=Heritage House Publishing Ltd. |location=Surrey, BC, Canada |isbn=978-1-894384-59-9}}
* {{cite book |title=Champions: The Illustrated History of Hockey's Greatest Dynasties |last=Hunter |first=Douglas |year=1997 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago |isbn=978-1-57243-213-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ireland |first=Joanne |title=100 Things Oilers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die |year=2017 |publisher=Triumph Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DxpSDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT118 |location=Chicago |isbn=978-1-63319-902-6}} (Unpaginated version consulted online via [[Google Books]])
* {{cite book |last=Jenish |first=D'Arcy |title=The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=978-0-385-66325-0 |year=2009}}
* {{Cite book |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |chapter=Fortune Smiled Upon Us |pages=14–36 |year=1999 | editor-last=Dryden | editor-first=Steve |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Inc. |location=Toronto, Ontario}}
* {{cite book |last=Morrison |first=Scott |title=Hockey Night in Canada: My Greatest Day |year=2008 |publisher=Key Porter Books |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-55470-086-8 |author-link=Scott Morrison (journalist) |url=https://archive.org/details/mygreatestday50p0000morr}}
* {{Cite book |last=Potvin |first=Denis |chapter=You Can't Hit What You Can't Find |pages=89–91 |year=1999 | editor-last=Dryden | editor-first=Steve |title=Total Gretzky: The Magic, The Legend, The Numbers |isbn=978-0-7710-4177-8 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario}}
* {{Cite book |last=Redmond |first=Gerald |title=Wayne Gretzky: The Great One |year=1993 |publisher=ECW Press |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-1-55022-190-9}}
* {{Cite book |last=Surgent |first=Scott |title=The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference to the World Hockey Association: 1972–1979 |isbn=978-0-9644774-4-5 |publisher=Xaler Press |year=2004}}
* {{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Jim |title=Wayne Gretzky: The authorized pictorial biography |year=1994 |publisher=Opus Productions |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |isbn=978-1-55110-263-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/waynegretzkyauth0000tayl}}
* {{Cite book |last=Weekes |first=Don |title=The Great Gretzky Trivia Book |year=1999 |publisher=Greystone Books |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |isbn=978-1-55054-752-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/greatgretzkytriv0000week}}
* {{Cite book |last=Willes |first=Ed |title=The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association |year=2004 |publisher=McClelland and Stewart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FHMWR63PYTIC&pg=PP1 |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7710-8947-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Willes |first=Ed |title=Gretzky to Lemieux: The Story of the 1987 Canada Cup |year=2007 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-7710-8942-8}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Brunt |first=Stephen |year=2010 |title=Gretzky's Tears: Hockey, Canada, and the Day Everything Changed |publisher=Vintage Canada |isbn=978-0-307-39730-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Doeden |first=Matt |year=2008 |title=Wayne Gretzky |url=https://archive.org/details/waynegretzky0000doed_n1k3|url-access = registration |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |isbn=978-0-8225-7165-0}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{icehockeystats|legendsm=P199901}}<!--- as of 2022, HHOF/legends does not use wikidata --->
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090823072038/http://www.nhl.com/history/gretzky.html NHL.com Wayne Gretzky section]
* {{IMDb name}}
* [http://www.conacher-rosenfeld.ca/les_gagnants-winners/conacher/wayne_gretzky-eng.html Wayne Gretzky, winner of the Lionel Conacher Award and the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award: Virtual Museum of Canada Exhibit]
* {{Discogs artist}}

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