Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey players of all time* turned 50 yesterday. Just hearing that fact is yet another constant reminder that I too am getting older. It’s crazy to think that an icon of my adolescence is approaching mid-life status. However, it also gave me a chance to reflect at how special a career this man had, not just by hockey standards, but sports as a whole. He was not only the most prolific scorer of his era, he demolished records that were once thought untouchable.** When he retired in 1999, Gretzky would own or share 61 NHL scoring records.
Looking at the “Great One," one would think that the man had a superior skill set that no one had ever seen. While he was able to compete at a high level with the talent he harnessed, he was not blessed physically. His skating style was not the most efficient; his lack of size would have most people checking out of hockey at an earlier stage of their prospective careers; his shot power is best described as not being able to go through a wet paper bag. Despite this lack of attributes, what made Gretzky “The Great One” was his self determination and advanced intelligence. With his solid work ethic and his constant desire to better himself, Gretzky did not give the naysayers a soapbox to stand upon. Unlike those born with an innate athletic persona, he knew he would have to develop his mind to reach his goals.
It is within these lines that Gretzky carved his place in the game’s lure. “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” That belief of Gretzky, while simple and contrite, speaks volumes of his playing ability. He was more than just one step in front of the action; whether it was himself or another player on the ice with possession of the puck, Gretzky knew all the scenarios that could come from a single decision. His mastery of the game was like watching a chess champion at work. For Gretzky, he did not have to think about the play, he was able to react effortlessly.
The last component that comprised the legend of Wayne Gretzky was his ability to make his teammates better players. Do not get me wrong, players such as Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, and Glenn Anderson would have had tremendous, potential Hall of Fame careers in their own right. Gretzky was able to transform them into superstars with his play making style of play. Unlike players such as Bobby Hull, Mike Bossy, and Phil Esposito, who were primarily goal scorers, Gretzky was a pass- first player, although he was certainly able to light the lamp on his own. The players listed and others like them need a player to put the puck on their stick to maximize their skill traits. Gretzky was an uncanny mix of offensive weaponry.
With the evolution of today’s game, I do not think we will see the likes of Wayne Gretzky any time soon. Although it is tough to compare players of different eras, I believe that if you put past performers in today’s game they too will benefit from the ever growing development of medicine, equipment advances and work out regiment. “The Great One” left a stamp on the game which young players can emulate and hope to achieve. Despite his lack of physical stature, Wayne Gretzky sure left some big skates to fill. Happy Birthday, Wayne.
* My top 5 all time hockey players are the following:
1) Wayne Gretzky
2) Bobby Orr
3) Gordie Howe
4) Mario Lemieux
5) Maurice Richard
**My top 10 most impressive scoring records that Wayne Gretzky holds:
1) 2,857 career regular season points in 1,487 games played. The second highest point total for a career is held by Mark Messier at 1,887 in 1,756 games played.
2) He has more career regular season assists than Messier has career points – 1,963 versus 1,887.
3) In the 1981-82 regular season, Gretzky scored 92 goals. He also holds the second highest total, 87, which he produced in the 1983-84 campaign.
4) He won 9 Hart Trophies (NHL Most Valuable Player Award), including 8 consecutively. He has been named MVP more times than any other player in the history of the other three North American Major Professional Leagues (Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and National Football League). Barry Bonds is second, having won the MVP award seven times in Major League Baseball.
5) In 1981-82, Gretzky recorded 50 goals in the Edmonton Oilers’ first 39 games, eclipsing Maurice Richard’s previous total of 50 goals in 50 games in 1944-45. Gretzky was able to perform this feat 3 times during his career, and almost matched his record in 1983-84 when he accumulated 50 in 42 games. In the history of the NHL, only 5 players have been able to accomplish the feat of 50 in 50.
6) For his career, Gretzky has 894 career regular season goals in 1,487 games played. Second on the list is Gordie Howe with 801 in 1,767 games.
7) In 1985-86, Gretzky amassed 215 points for the regular season. He is the only player who has topped 200 points in any given season, which he did 4 times.
8) He holds the record for longest scoring streak In NHL history: From October 5, 1983 to January 28, 1984, he totaled an incredible 61 goals, 92 assists for 163 points. That span consisted of 51 games.
9) For his career, Gretzky had 50 hat tricks. 37 three-goal games; nine 4 goal games; four 5 goal games. Mario Lemieux is second with 40 hat tricks.
10) During his career, Gretzky had a 1.921 points per game total. In comparison, Sidney Crosby, often considered today’s top offensive player has averaged 1.388 points per game. (In case you were wondering, Alexander Ovechkin is at 1.298 per game).
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