Wayne Douglas Gretzky 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. Nicknamed "the Great One", he has been called the greatest ice hockey player ever by the NHL based on surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches. Gretzky is the leading career point scorer and assist producer in NHL history and has more assists than any other player has total career points. He is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times. In addition, Gretzky scored more than 100 points in 15 professional seasons.
Twenty-year-old Edmonton center Wayne Gretzky becomes the first player in NHL history to score five career hat tricks be
Twenty-year-old Edmonton center Wayne Gretzky becomes the first player in NHL history to score five career hat tricks before age 21, scoring five goals and two assists in a 9-2 Oilers home win against St. Louis
Historical Significance
Wayne Douglas Gretzky is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach.
Key People
Events Before
Chrysler Europe is renamed Talbot
Chrysler Europe was the American automotive company Chrysler's operations in Europe from 1967 through 1978.
Real Records releases "Pretenders" in the UK, the debut album by The Pretenders
Pretenders is the debut studio album by British-American band the Pretenders, released in January 1980. A combination of rock and roll, punk and new wave music, it was an immediate success.
Pink Floyd's double album "The Wall" hits #1
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 30 November 1979 by Harvest CBS Records. It is the last album to include all four post-Barrett-era band members.
US President Jimmy Carter announces a US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afgh
US President Jimmy Carter announces a US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Cypriot-American model Angie Bowie (30) divorces British singer David Bowie (33) after just under 10 years of marriage
Cypriot-American model Angie Bowie (30) divorces British singer David Bowie (33) after just under 10 years of marriage
Events After
The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the
The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records
Paul Belmondo dies
Paul Belmondo dies
"Thirtysomething" stars Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig meet; they later marry
"Thirtysomething" stars Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig meet; they later marry
American singer Barbra Streisand and hairdresser/film producer Jon Peters' romantic relationship ends
Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand is an American singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and director.
NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: San Francisco 49ers defeat Dallas Cowboys 28-27; "The Catch," an iconic moment i
NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: San Francisco 49ers defeat Dallas Cowboys 28-27; "The Catch," an iconic moment in NFL history, Dwight Clark makes a fingertip touchdown catch from Joe Montana with 58 seconds remaining; SF goes on to win the Super Bowl
More from the 1980s
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall falls as East Germany opens its borders, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the beginning of German reunification.
politics governmentwars conflicts
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members in one of the most devastating disasters in space exploration history.
space explorationscience technology
The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the
The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records
death
Bill Veeck dies
Bill Veeck baseball executive, known for american baseball executive, died on 1986-01-02. William Louis Veeck Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 18, 1981?
- Wayne Douglas Gretzky 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. Nicknamed "the Great One", he has been called the greatest ice hockey player ever by the NHL based on surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches.
- Why is Twenty-year-old Edmonton center Wayne Gretzky becomes the first player in NHL... significant?
- Wayne Douglas Gretzky is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach.
- Who was involved in Twenty-year-old Edmonton center Wayne Gretzky becomes the first player in NHL...?
- Key figures include Wayne Gretzky (Athlete).