How Many Years Did Wayne Gretzky Play in the NHL?

Wayne Gretzky played in the NHL for 20 years. He is considered the greatest player in the history of the sport.

Wayne Gretzky’s Early Years

Wayne Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He began skating at the age of two and by the time he was six, he was playing organized hockey. When Wayne was ten, his family moved to Toronto so he could attend a better hockey school. Gretzky played in the Toronto Minor Hockey League for five years.

Wayne Gretzky’s family

Gretzky’s father, Walter, had been a reasonably good hockey player in his youth. Several of his uncles were also active in hockey. His grandfather Gord’s Hockey Hall of Fame picture is on the wall of the Wayne Gretzky sports complex in Brantford. Walter moved his family to nearby Hamilton when his work as a car salesman at Southwood Motors required it.

Eager to put their children into hockey as soon as possible, Walter enrolled Gordon, then 10 years old, and Glenda, 7, in weekly figure-skating classes. Wayne was added to the lessons a few years later. Figuring skating was too expensive for three kids, Walter decided that he would coach Gordon and Glenda’s team in Beaver Meadows Minor Hockey Association while Dorothy would coach Wayne’s team in Albert Minor Hockey Association.

Wayne Gretzky’s early hockey career

Wayne Gretzky’s hockey career began when he was just five years old. He played in the NHL for 20 seasons, from 1979 to 1999. He is widely considered to be the greatest hockey player of all time.

Wayne Gretzky’s Time in the NHL

Wayne Gretzky is considered by many to be the greatest hockey player of all time. He played in the NHL for 20 seasons, starting with the Edmonton Oilers in 1979. He would go on to play for the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers before retiring in 1999. In his time in the NHL, Gretzky won four Stanley Cups, was named the league’s Most Valuable Player 10 times, and set numerous records.

Wayne Gretzky’s teams

Gretzky played for four teams during his 20-year NHL career. He started with the Edmonton Oilers, where he spent the first 10 years of his career. He then moved to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played for eight seasons. In 1996, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues, and he played for them for one season. Finally, he ended his career with the New York Rangers, playing for them for his final three seasons.

Wayne Gretzky’s records

Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time. He played 20 seasons in the NHL (1979-1999), including 10 with the Edmonton Oilers, where he won four Stanley Cups. He holds or shares 61 NHL records, including most goals (894), most assists (1,963) and most points (2,857).

Wayne Gretzky’s retirement

Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” is widely considered the best hockey player of all time. Gretzky played for 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. He holds or shares 61 NHL records: 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 All-Star records. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he held what many consider to be the most unbreakable record in professional sports: most goals in a career, with 894.

Wayne Gretzky’s Post-NHL Years

After Wayne Gretzky’s playing career in the NHL ended, he embarked on a new journey in coaching. He became the head coach of the St. Louis Blues and led them to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first year. He later coached the Phoenix Coyotes and coached Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Wayne Gretzky’s business career

Gretzky began his business career during his playing years, as he endorsement deals with companies such as Coke, Apple Computer, and McDonald’s. He has also been involved in several real estate developments. In the early 1990s, he was part-owner of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also had a stake in the Edmonton Oilers during their dynasty years of the 1980s, as well as being part-owner of the Los Angeles Kings. He is currently a partner in the ownership group of the Phoenix Coyotes.

After his retirement from playing hockey, Gretzky remained in Los Angeles and became involved in movie production. In 2005, he co-starred with Roy Scheider in the made-for-television film Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story. He has also made cameo appearances in such films as The Long Kiss Goodnight and For Love of the Game.

Wayne Gretzky’s philanthropy

Throughout his life, Wayne Gretzky has been involved in numerous charitable organizations. He has worked with the Special Olympics, Canadian Cancer Society, Children’s Wish Foundation, and many others. In 2002, he was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence. In 2007, he was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service. In 2010, he was inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame.

Gretzky is also the founder of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, which supports underprivileged children through a variety of programs including hockey camps and financial assistance for registration fees and equipment. The foundation has raised over $9 million since its inception in 2002.

Wayne Gretzky’s return to hockey

After his retirement from the NHL, Wayne Gretzky remained involved with the game of hockey. He became a minority owner of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000 and was named their head coach in 2005. He remained with the franchise until 2009.

In 2010, Gretzky was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1999.