Wayne Douglas Gretzky, known as "The Great One," is a Canadian former ice hockey player and coach. He played 20 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers, setting records that remain unmatched.
Gretzky retired in 1999 and was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, with his number 99 retired league-wide. He was honored with the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team selection and joined the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2012, he received the Order of Hockey in Canada. As executive director, he led Canada to Olympic gold in 2002 and later became part-owner and coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. After leaving the Coyotes in 2009, he rejoined the Oilers as vice-chairman in 2016 and transitioned to become an NHL analyst for Turner Sports in 2021.
How many Stanley Cups did Wayne Gretzky win?
Wayne Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s. His first victory came in 1984 when the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders, winning the series 4-1. They won again in 1985, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1. Gretzky’s third Cup came in 1987 when they faced the Flyers again, winning the series 4-3. Finally, he secured his fourth Stanley Cup in 1988, sweeping the Boston Bruins 4-0 in the finals. These championships cemented his reputation as "The Great One."
| Stanley Cup Win | Year | Opponent | Final Score |
| 1st | 1984 | New York Islanders | 4-1 (Series) |
| 2nd | 1985 | Philadelphia Flyers | 4-2 (Series) |
| 3rd | 1987 | Philadelphia Flyers | 4-3 (Series) |
| 4th | 1988 | Boston Bruins | 4-0 (Series) |
Wayne Gretzky's Milestones
According to The Hockey Writers, Wayne Gretzky accomplished many remarkable milestones in his career. He scored his first NHL goal on October 14, 1979, and became the fastest player to reach 1,000 points on December 19, 1984. In 1981, he made history by scoring 50 goals in just 39 games and was the quickest to reach 500 goals in 1986.
Gretzky still holds the record for the most goals in a season, with 92 in 1981-82. On October 26, 1990, he became the first player to achieve 2,000 points, and by 1989, he had surpassed Gordie Howe's points record. He ended his career with 894 goals, 1,963 assists, and a total of 2,857 points, making him the all-time leader in all categories. His final game took place on April 18, 1999, marking the end of his legendary 20-year career.
| Milestone | Date / Year | Description |
| First NHL Goal | October 14, 1979 | Scored in his debut NHL season. |
| Fastest to 1,000 Points | December 19, 1984 | Reached 1,000 points faster than any other player. |
| 50 Goals in 39 Games | 1981 | Set a record for the fewest games to reach 50 goals. |
| Most Goals in a Season (92) | 1981-82 | Holds the record for most goals in a single season. |
| First to 2,000 Points | October 26, 1990 | Reached 2,000 career points, a historic first. |
| Broke Gordie Howe’s Points Record | 1989 | Surpassed Howe's long-standing points record. |
| Career Total | 894 Goals, 1,963 Assists, 2,857 Points | All-time leader in goals, assists, and points. |
| Final Game | April 18, 1999 | Retired after 20 seasons, ending a legendary career. |
Wayne Gretzky's Awards
According to The Hockey Writers, Wayne Gretzky received many awards during his career. He was named the WHA Rookie of the Year in 1979, winning the Lou Kaplan Trophy. In the NHL, he earned the Hart Memorial Trophy as the Most Valuable Player nine times between 1980 and 1989 and the Art Ross Trophy for being the top scorer ten times. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy five times for sportsmanship and the Lester B. Pearson Award five times. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy twice as the most valuable player in the playoffs and led his teams to four Stanley Cup titles in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. On the international stage, Gretzky won the Canada Cup three times.
| Award | Number of Wins / Year(s) | Description |
| Lou Kaplan Trophy | 1979 | WHA Rookie of the Year |
| Hart Memorial Trophy | 9 times (1980–87, 1989) | NHL Most Valuable Player (MVP) |
| Art Ross Trophy | 10 times | NHL Scoring Champion |
| Lady Byng Trophy | 5 times | Recognized for Sportsmanship |
| Lester B. Pearson Award | 5 times | Voted by Players as League’s Best |
| Conn Smythe Trophy | 2 times | Playoff Most Valuable Player |
| Stanley Cup | 4 times (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988) | NHL Championship |
| Canada Cup | 3 times | International Championship |
Read More: Wayne Gretzky Jersey number
FAQ's On Wayne Gretzky
A. Wayne Gretzky holds/shares at least 61 regular, postseason, and All-Star Game records.
A. The estimated net worth of Wayne Gretzky in 2023 is around $250 million.
A. Wayne Gretzky played in the NHL from 1979 to 1999 and played 20 seasons with four different teams.
A. Wayne Gretzky was just 23 years old when he led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup in the 1983-84 NHL season.
A. Wayne Gretzky was 38 years old when he retired from the NHL in 1999.
