List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky

Last updated

Gretzky's statue at Rogers Place, Edmonton Wayne Gretzky statue 6.jpg
Gretzky's statue at Rogers Place, Edmonton

This is a list of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky in the National Hockey League (NHL). Upon his retirement on April 18, 1999, he was credited by the NHL Record Book with holding or sharing 61 NHL records, including 40 regular season, 15 playoff and 6 All-Star records. [1] As of completion of the 2024–25 season, more than a quarter century after retirement, he still holds or shares 55 of those NHL records.

Contents

Winning four Stanley Cups (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988), Gretzky set records in both regular season and post-season play, including regular season goals (894), assists (1,963), points (2,857), and hat-tricks (50). The next closest player in total points for the regular season is Jaromir Jagr at 1,921, [2] thus Gretzky has more career assists than any other player has total points. On April 6, 2025, 26 years after Gretzky scored his last regular season goal, [3] Alexander Ovechkin broke Gretzky's record for most regular season goals.

Gretzky scored his first 1,000 points faster (424 games) than any other player in NHL history, and scored the second 1,000 faster (433 games) than any player other than himself. His point total including regular season and playoffs stands at an imposing 3,239 (1,016 goals, 2,223 assists).

Gretzky still maintains the record for the most career playoff goals (122), assists (260), points (382), hat-tricks (10) and game-winning goals (24). His 47 playoff points in 1985 are still the most for a single postseason. His record of 31 playoff assists in a single postseason held for 36 years before being broken by Connor McDavid in game four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Official record list

The following is a list of official records Gretzky held or shared at his retirement on April 18, 1999. [1]

Regular season records (40)

  1. Most goals: 894 in 1,487 games [4] (since broken by Alexander Ovechkin) [5]
  2. Most goals, including playoffs: 1,016 in 1,487 regular season games including 122 playoff goals [4]
  3. Most goals, one season: 92 in 1981–82, 80-game schedule [6]
  4. Most goals, one season, including playoffs: 100 in 1983–84, 87 goals in 74 regular season games and 13 goals in 19 playoff games
  5. Most goals, 50 games from start of season: 61 in 1981–82 (October 7 to January 22, 80-game schedule) and 1983–84 (October 5 to January 25), 80-game schedule
  6. Most goals, one period: 4 (tied with ten other players) February 18, 1981
  7. Most assists: 1,963 [7]
  8. Most assists, including playoffs: 2,223
  9. Most assists, one season: 163 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule [8]
  10. Most assists, one season, including playoffs: 174 in 1985–86, 163 assists in 80 regular season games and 11 assists in 10 playoff games
  11. Most assists, one game: 7 (tied with Billy "The Kid" Taylor) February 16, 1980; December 11, 1985; February 15, 1986 [9]
  12. Most assists, one road game: 7 (tied with Billy "The Kid" Taylor) December 11, 1985
  13. Most points: 2,857 in 1,487 games (894 goals, 1,963 assists) [10]
  14. Most points, including playoffs: 3,239 in 1,487 regular season and 208 playoff games. (1,016 goals, 2,223 assists)
  15. Most points, one season: 215 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule (52 goals, 163 assists) [11]
  16. Most points, one season, including playoffs: 255 in 1984–85; 208 points in 80 regular season games and 47 points in 18 playoff games
  17. Most shorthanded goals, career: 73
  18. Most overtime assists, career: 13 (Broken by over 40 players)
  19. Most goals by a centre, career: 894 [12]
  20. Most goals by a centre, one season: 92 in 1981–82, 80-game schedule [13]
  21. Most assists by a centre, career: 1,963 [14]
  22. Most assists by a centre, one season: 163 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule [15]
  23. Most points by a centre, career: 2,857 [16]
  24. Most points by a centre, one season: 215 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule [17]
  25. Highest goals-per-game average, one season (among players with 50-or-more goals): 1.18 in 1983–84, 87 goals in 74 games
  26. Highest assists-per-game average, career (300 min.): 1.321 -- 1,963 assists in 1,487 games
  27. Highest assists-per-game average, one season: 2.04 in 1985–86, 163 assists in 80 games
  28. Highest points-per-game average, one season (among players with 50-or-more points): 2.77 in 1983–84, 205 points in 74 games [18]
  29. Most 40-or-more goal seasons: 12 in 20 seasons (Broken by Alexander Ovechkin in 2023)
  30. Most consecutive 40-or-more goal seasons: 12 from 1979–80 to 1990–91
  31. Most 50-or-more goal seasons: 9 (tied with Mike Bossy and Alex Ovechkin)
  32. Most 60-or-more goal seasons: 5 (tied with Mike Bossy)
  33. Most consecutive 60-or-more goals seasons: 4 from 1981–82 to 1984–85
  34. Most 100-or-more point seasons: 15
  35. Most consecutive 100-or-more point seasons: 13 from 1979–80 to 1991–92
  36. Most three-or-more goal games, career: 50 — 37 three-goal (hat trick) games; nine four-goal games; four five-goal games
  37. Most three goal games, one season: 10, in 1981–82 and 1983–84
  38. Longest consecutive assist scoring streak: 23 games in 1990–91, 48 assists
  39. Longest consecutive point-scoring streak: 51 games in 1983–84 (October 5 to January 28, 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points)
  40. Longest consecutive point-scoring streak from start of season: 51 in 1983–84; 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points (October 5 to January 28)

Playoff records (15)

  1. Most playoff goals, career: 122 [19]
  2. Most playoff assists, career: 260 [20]
  3. Most assists, one playoff year: 31 in 1988 (19 games) [21] (Since broken by Connor McDavid)
  4. Most assists in one series: 14 (at the time tied with Rick Middleton and since broken by Leon Draisaitl) in 1985 Conference Finals (six games vs. Chicago)
  5. Most assists in final series: 10 in 1988 (four games, plus suspended game vs. Boston)
  6. Most assists, one playoff game: 6 (tied with Mikko Leinonen) on April 9, 1987 [22]
  7. Most assists, one playoff period: 3 — Three assists by one player in one period of a playoff game has been recorded on 70 occasions, five of them by Gretzky
  8. Most points, career: 382 [23]
  9. Most points, one playoff year: 47 in 1985 (17 goals and 30 assists in 18 games)
  10. Most points in final series: 13 in 1988 three goals and 10 assists (four games plus suspended game vs. Boston, three goals)
  11. Most points, one playoff period: 4 (tied with nine other players)
  12. Most short-handed goals, one playoff year: 3 (tied with five other players) 1983 [24]
  13. Most short-handed goals, one playoff game: 2 (tied with eight other players) April 9, 1983 [25]
  14. Most game-winning goals in playoffs, career: 24 (tied with Brett Hull) [26]
  15. Most three-or-more goals games (hat trick): 10 (eight three-goal games, two four-goal games)

All-Star records (6)

  1. Most All-Star game goals, career: 13 (in 18 games played)
  2. Most All-Star game goals, one game: 4 (tied with three players) 1983 Campbell Conference
  3. Most All-Star game goals, one period: 4 1983 Campbell Conference, third period
  4. Most All-Star game assists, career: 12 (tied with four others)
  5. Most All-Star game points, career: 25 (13 goals, 12 assists in 18 games)
  6. Most All-Star game points, one period: 4 (tied with Mike Gartner and Adam Oates) 1983 Campbell Conference, third period (four goals)

Record updates

Since Gretzky's retirement, six of his records have been broken, and he has gained one. The current NHL Record Book also now recognizes additional records held by Gretzky.

Broken

Set

Gretzky finished his career with a 1.921 points per game average. At the time, Mario Lemieux held the record at 2.005. After Lemieux returned to the NHL, from 2000 to 2005, his average fell to second place, and Gretzky became the record holder.

Retroactively recognized

Unofficial records

Along with his numerous official records, Wayne Gretzky also has over 100 "unofficial" ones. These other records — though not recognized by the 1999 NHL Official Guide and Record Book — are still significant.

NHL scoring

Major league scoring

Milestones

Source: Big Mouth Sports [28]

The following are NHL milestone records:

Goals

  • Youngest to score 100 goals (20 years, 40 days) (March 15, 1981)
  • Fastest and youngest to 200 goals (242 games)- modern record, Cy Denneny scored 200 goals in 181 games (21 years, 256 days) (October 9, 1982)
  • Fastest and youngest to 300 goals (350 games), (22 years, 321 days) (December 13, 1983)
  • Fastest and youngest to 400 goals (436 games), (23 years, 352 days) (January 13, 1985)
  • Fastest and youngest to 500 goals (575 games), (25 years, 299 days) (November 22, 1986)
  • Fastest and youngest to 600 goals (718 games, one fewer than Mario Lemieux), (27 years, 302 days) (November 23, 1988)
  • Fastest and youngest to 700 goals (886 games), (29 years, 342 days) (January 3, 1991)
  • Fastest and youngest to 800 goals (1116 games), (33 years, 53 days) (March 20, 1994)

Assists

  • Fastest to 100 assists (92 games) (November 7, 1980)
  • Fastest and youngest to 200 assists (165 games), (20 years 264 days) (October 18, 1981)
  • Fastest and youngest to 300 assists (229 games), (21 years 43 days) (March 13, 1982)
  • Fastest and youngest to 400 assists (290 games), (21 years 362 days) (January 23, 1983)
  • Fastest and youngest to 500 assists (352 games), (22 years 325 days) (December 17, 1983)
  • Fastest and youngest to 600 assists (416 games), (23 years 307 days) (November 29, 1984)
  • Fastest and youngest to 700 assists (478 games), (24 years 267 days) (October 20, 1985)
  • Fastest and youngest to 800 assists (527 games), (25 years 11 days) (February 8, 1986)
  • Fastest and youngest to 900 assists (584 games), (25 years 320 days) (December 12, 1986)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,000 assists (645 games), (26 years 282 days) (November 4, 1987)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,100 assists (706 games), (27 years 276 days) (October 28, 1988)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,200 assists (774 games), (28 years 65 days) (April 1, 1989)
  • Fastest, youngest, and only one to 1,300 assists (846 games), (29 years 50 days) (March 17, 1990)

Points

  • Fastest to 200 points (117 games)
  • Fastest and youngest to 300 points (159 games), (20 years, 67 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 400 points (197 games), (20 years, 335 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 500 points (234 games), (21 years, 52 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 600 points (274 games), (21 years, 330 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 700 points (317 games), (22 years, 62 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 800 points (352 games), (22 years, 325 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 900 points (385 games), (23 years, 47 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,000 points (424 games), (23 years, 328 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,100 points (464 games), (24 years, 50 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,200 points (504 games), (24 years, 321 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,300 points (539 games), (25 years, 38 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,400 points (580 games), (25 years, 313 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,500 points (620 games), (26 years, 44 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,600 points (667 games), (26 years, 330 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,700 points (711 games), (27 years, 285 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,800 points (754 games), (28 years, 23 days)
  • Fastest and youngest to 1,900 points (803 games), (28 years, 318 days)
  • Fastest, youngest, and only one to 2,000 points (857 games), (29 years, 273 days)

Career statistics

Bold denotes career high

  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM +/- PPSHGWGPGAPtsPIM
1975–76 Toronto Nationals MetJHL 282733607—————————
1976–77 Seneca Nationals MetJHL3236367235————23403575—
1976–77 Peterborough Petes OMJHL 30330—————————
1977–78 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OMJHL647011218214————13620260
1978–79 Indianapolis Racers WHA 83360-30———————
1978–79 Edmonton Oilers WHA72436110419+239——131010202
1979–80 Edmonton Oilers NHL 79518613721+15131632130
1980–81 Edmonton OilersNHL805510916428+4115439714214
1981–82 Edmonton OilersNHL809212021226+8118612557128
1982–83 Edmonton OilersNHL807112519659+601869161226384
1983–84 Edmonton OilersNHL748711820539+762012111913223512
1984–85 Edmonton OilersNHL807313520852+988117181730474
1985–86 Edmonton OilersNHL805216321546+71113610811192
1986–87 Edmonton OilersNHL796212118328+70137421529346
1987–88 Edmonton OilersNHL644010914924+399531912314316
1988–89 Los Angeles Kings NHL785411416826+15115511517220
1989–90 Los Angeles KingsNHL734010214242+81044737100
1990–91 Los Angeles KingsNHL784112216316+3080512411152
1991–92 Los Angeles KingsNHL74319012134-12122262572
1992–93 Los Angeles KingsNHL451649656+6021241525404
1993–94 Los Angeles KingsNHL81389213020-251440—————
1994–95 Los Angeles KingsNHL481137486-20301—————
1995–96 Los Angeles KingsNHL6215668132-7502—————
1995–96 St. Louis Blues NHL18813212-611113214160
1996–97 New York Rangers NHL8225729728+12602151010202
1997–98 New York RangersNHL8223679028-11604—————
1998–99 New York RangersNHL709536214-23303—————
1 WHA seasonTotalsWHA80466411019+209——131010202
20 NHL seasonsTotalsNHL1487 894 1963 2857 577 +518 204 7391208 122 260 382 66
Source: [29]

Awards

Replica of the Lester B. Pearson Award presented to Gretzky in 1982-83 8283 Gretzky Pearson Award.png
Replica of the Lester B. Pearson Award presented to Gretzky in 1982–83

He won nine Hart Trophies, the NHL's most valuable player award, and eight of these were awarded in consecutive years from 1980 to 1987. Gretzky holds the record for most MVP awards of any player in North American professional sports.

Honours

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Dinger, Ralph, ed. (1999). "NHL Records Held or Shared by Wayne Gretzky". The National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book (1999–2000 ed.). Toronto: Total Sports Canada. pp. 16–17. ISBN   0-920445-63-2 . Retrieved April 19, 2025– via Internet Archive Book Reader.
  2. ↑ "Jaromir Jagr Stats and News". NHL.com.
  3. ↑ "New York Islanders 1 – New York Rangers 3 Game Summary". National Hockey League. March 29, 1999. Retrieved April 19, 2025. 3rd period Wayne Gretzky (9)… Tip-in
  4. 1 2 "NHL Stats".
  5. 1 2 "Alex Ovechkin scores No. 895 to break Gretzky's NHL goals record". Sportsnet. The Associated Press. April 6, 2025. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  6. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  7. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  8. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  9. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  10. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  11. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  12. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  13. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  14. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  15. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  16. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  17. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  18. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  19. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  20. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  21. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  22. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  23. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  24. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  25. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  26. ↑ "NHL Stats".
  27. ↑ "McDavid breaks Gretzky's record for most assists in single postseason". TSN.ca. BellMedia. The Canadian Press. June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Wayne Gretzky bigmouthsports" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 1, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Wayne Gretzky NHL & WHL Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Gretzky adds male athlete award to list". Calgary Herald. December 19, 1980. p. C2. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Wayne Gretzky–2012 Order of Hockey in Canada Honouree". Hockey Canada . 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  32. ↑ gg.ca, Gretzky's profile on the Order of Canada site Archived 2007-10-12 at archive.today , accessed January 26, 2007
  33. ↑ horatioalger.com, Horatio Alger Association press release announcing Gretzky's award [ permanent dead link ], accessed January 26, 2007
  34. ↑ canadaswalkoffame.com, Gretzky's profile on Canada's Walk of Fame website Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine , accessed January 26, 2007
  35. ↑ Bock, Hal (December 28, 1989). "Gretzky Ices the '80s "The Great One' Is Male Athlete of Decade". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  36. ↑ "WHA Hall of Fame Members". www.whahof.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game". CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. February 6, 2000. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2014.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.