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Wayne Gretzky officially ended his professional hockey career on April 18, 1999.

Introduction

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On this day, two decades ago, Wayne Gretzky participated in the last NHL game of his remarkable career. At Madison Square Garden on April 18, 1999 , he played one final match with the New York Rangers, who unfortunately lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a closely contested 2-1 overtime.

Known as “ The Great One ”, Wayne Gretzky set unparalleled standards in the realm of NHL professional hockey, achieving feats that are unlikely to be replicated. He has amassed a plethora of records throughout his career, and his leads in several key statistical categories are so substantial that few foresee them being broken anytime soon.

Remarkable Events During Wayne Gretzky’s Final NHL Match

As warm-ups commenced, the crowd erupted in jubilant chants of “Gretzky, Gretzky” for a full three minutes. During the anthems of The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada , performers John Amirante and Bryan Adams paid homage to Gretzky by altering part of the lyrics to “ in the land of Wayne Gretzky ” and “ We’re going to miss you Gretzky ”, respectively, alongside hockey great Gordie Howe. Michael Jordan appeared in video tributes.

Following the conclusion of the game, the legendary “The Great One” skated four laps around the rink, bidding farewell to a sport that he had remarkably influenced for many years, while the adoring fans cheered him on. He closed out his illustrious career with an impressive total of 60 NHL records, including the all-time leading scorer with 2,857 points, a remarkable nine Hart Trophies for most valuable player, and having the highest number of hat tricks at 10 during playoff games.

It is truly astonishing that the national anthems of both Canada and the United States were modified to pay tribute to an athlete . This highlights the monumental impact Wayne Gretzky had on hockey, marking a tribute that remains unprecedented . Below, you'll find a glimpse into his extraordinary professional hockey achievements, accolades, and honors which are undeniably impressive. NHL Most total goals scored, including playoffs: 1,016 in 1,487 regular season games, which includes 122 playoff goals.

Regular Season Records

  1. Most goals: 894 in 1,487 games
  2. Record for most goals in a single season: 92 , achieved during the 1981-82 season with an 80-game schedule.
  3. Most goals scored in one season, combining regular season and playoffs: 100 in 1983-84, consisting of 87 goals over 74 regular-season games and 13 in 19 playoff games.
  4. Most goals scored in the first 50 games of a season: 61 during the 1981-82 season (spanning from October 7, 1981, to January 22, 1982) and 1983-84 season (from October 5, 1983, to January 25, 1984), under a schedule of 80 games.
  5. Record for most goals scored in one period: 4 (tied with 10 other players) on February 18, 1981.
  6. Highest number of assists in a single season: 163 during the 1985-86 season with an 80-game schedule.
  7. Most assists: 1,963
  8. Most assists, including playoffs: 2,223
  9. Most assists achieved in one season, including playoffs: 174 in the 1985-86 season, comprising 163 assists during regular-play and 11 assists in 10 playoff games.
  10. Most assists recorded in a single game: 7 (tied with Billy 'The Kid' Taylor) occurring on three separate occasions—February 16, 1980; December 12, 1985; and February 15, 1986.
  11. Record for most assists in a single road game: 7 (tied with Billy 'The Kid' Taylor) on December 11, 1985.
  12. Total points scored, including playoffs: 3,239 accrued in 1,487 regular season games and 208 playoff games (1,016 goals and 2,223 assists).
  13. Most points: 2,857 in 1,487 games (894 goals, 1,963 assists)
  14. Highest point total in a single season: 215 recorded in the 1985-86 season with an 80-game schedule (52 goals, 163 assists).
  15. Most points scored in a single season, combining regular season and playoffs: 255 in the 1984-85 season; with 208 points during an 80-game regular season and 47 points across 18 playoff games.
  16. Most goals scored by a center in one season: 92 during the 1981-82 season with an 80-game schedule.
  17. Most goals by a center, career: 894
  18. Most assists recorded by a center in one season: 163 during the 1985-86 season with an 80-game schedule.
  19. Most assists by a center, career: 1,963
  20. Most points scored by a center in one season: 215 during the 1985-86 season with an 80-game schedule.
  21. Most points by a center, career: 2,857
  22. Most assists in a single game by a player in their rookie season: 7 on February 15, 1980.
  23. Highest goals-per-game average for a single season: 1.18 in 1983-84, with 87 goals scored in 74 games.
  24. Highest average assists-per-game throughout a career (300 minimum): 1.321 with a total of 1,963 assists over 1,487 games.
  25. Highest assists-per-game average in a single season: 2.04 during the 1985-86 season with 163 assists over 80 games.
  26. Highest points-per-game average in a single season (for players scoring 50 or more points): 2.77 during the 1983-84 season, with 205 points in 74 games.
  27. Highest career points-per-game average: 1.921 .
  28. Most seasons scoring 40 or more goals: 12 over the span of 20 seasons.
  29. Record for the most consecutive seasons scoring 40 or more goals: 12 from the 1979-80 season through the 1990-91 season.
  30. Most seasons with 50 or more goals: 9 (tied with Mike Bossy).
  31. Most seasons scoring 60 or more goals: 5 (tied with Mike Bossy).
  32. Longest streak of consecutive seasons with 60 or more goals: 4 from 1981-82 to 1984-85.
  33. Longest consecutive seasons scoring 100 or more points: 13 from 1979-80 to 1991-92.
  34. Most 100-or-more point seasons: 15
  35. Most games scoring three or more goals in a career: 50 , including 37 hat tricks, nine four-goal games, and four five-goal games.
  36. Most three-goal games in a single season: 10 , recorded twice in the 1981-82 and 1983-84 seasons.
  37. Longest consecutive games scoring assists: 23 in the 1990-91 season, with a total of 48 assists.
  38. Longest streak of consecutive point-scoring games: 51 during the 1983-84 season (from October 5, 1983, to January 28, 1984), during which he scored 61 goals and made 92 assists for a total of 153 points.
  39. Longest point-scoring streak from the beginning of a season: 51 in the 1983-84 season, achieving 61 goals and 92 assists totaling 153 points (from October 5, 1983, to January 28, 1984).
  40. Most assists in a single playoff year: 31 in 1988 over 19 games.

Playoff Records

  1. Most playoff goals, career: 122
  2. Most playoff assists, career: 260
  3. Most assists in one playoff series: 14 (tied with Rick Middleton) during the 1985 Conference Finals (over six games against Chicago).
  4. Most assists in a final playoff series: 10 recorded in 1988 (across four games, including a suspended game against Boston).
  5. Most assists achieved in a single playoff match: 6 (tied with Mikko Leinonen) on April 9, 1987.
  6. Most assists registered in a single playoff period: 3 — a player has recorded three assists in a single playoff period on 70 occasions, five of which were achieved by Gretzky.
  7. Total career points: 382 , consisting of 122 goals and 260 assists.
  8. Most points amassed in a single playoff year: 47 in 1985 (comprising of 17 goals and 30 assists across 18 games).
  9. Most points scored in the final playoff series: 13 in 1988 (which included three goals and ten assists across four games, plus a suspended game against Boston).
  10. Most points scored in a single playoff period: 4 (tied with nine other players).
  11. Most short-handed goals recorded in a playoff year: 3 (tied with five other players) during 1983.
  12. Most short-handed goals scored in one playoff game: 2 (tied with eight other players) on April 6, 1983.
  13. Most career game-winning goals in playoffs: 24 (tied with Brett Hull).
  14. Total games with three or more goals (hat tricks): 10 (including eight three-goal games and two four-goal games).
  15. Most career goals in All-Star games: 13 (playing in 18 games).

All Star Records

  1. Most goals in a single All-Star game: 4 (tied with three players) during the 1983 Campbell Conference game.
  2. Highest number of goals in a single All-Star game period: 4 during the third period of the 1983 Campbell Conference game.
  3. Most career points in All-Star games: 25 (with 13 goals and 12 assists across 18 games).
  4. Most points scored in one All-Star game period: 4 (tied with Mike Gartner and Adam Oates) in the third period of the 1983 Campbell Conference game (totaling four goals).
  5. Lou Kaplan Trophy (awarded as WHA rookie of the year) — 1979.

Awards

  • Hart Memorial Trophy (designated for most valuable player) — awarded 1980–87 and 1989.
  • Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award — awarded in 1980.
  • Art Ross Trophy (scoring champion) — 1981–87, 1990, 1991, 1994
  • Conn Smythe Trophy (given for playoff most valuable player) — awarded in 1985 and 1988.
  • Lester B. Pearson Award (for outstanding player, voted on by fellow players) — awarded in 1982–85 and 1987.
  • Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (for sportsmanship) — received in 1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1999.
  • NHL Plus-Minus Award (given for the best plus-minus rating; previously known as the Emery Edge Trophy) — awarded in 1984, 1985, and 1987 (league leader in 1982 without formal award).
  • Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (awarded for Western Conference Champions) — achieved in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1993.
  • Stanley Cup — 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988
  • Canada Cup — 1984, 1987, 1991
  • Sports History: Wayne Gretzky's Final NHL Appearance Occurred on April 18, 1999
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  • Wayne Gretzky Announced His Retirement from the NHL on April 18, 1999
  • On this memorable day two decades ago, Wayne Gretzky took to the ice for the very last time in his exceptional professional hockey career. On April 18, 1999 , in the iconic Madison Square Garden, he played his final match for the New York Rangers, where they faced defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a score of 2-1 in overtime.
  • “ The Great One ”, Wayne Gretzky, has set an unmatched standard in the world of NHL hockey, towering over his peers in a way that future generations might not replicate. His incredible achievements include numerous records in the league, with many of them considered insurmountable due to the substantial lead he holds over other athletes in these historic metrics.
  • NHL All-Star Game MVP — 1983, 1989, 1999
  • NHL MVP — Rendez-vous \"87
  • Remarkable Events of Wayne Gretzky’s Last NHL Game
  • During the warm-up, the atmosphere was electric as fans repeatedly chanted “Gretzky, Gretzky” for a full three minutes. When the national anthems were sung, vocalists John Amirante and Bryan Adams playfully adapted the lyrics, referring to “ in the land of Wayne Gretzky ” and “ We’re going to miss you Gretzky ”, respectively, while iconic players like Gordie Howe joined in the celebration.
  • New York Rangers MVP — 1997-98
  • As the final horn sounded, “The Great One” skated four laps around the rink, bidding farewell to the sport he had shaped for so many years, all to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. He ended his illustrious career holding an astounding 60 NHL records, which encompassed achievements such as being the all-time leading scorer with 2,857 points, nine Hart Trophies for MVP, and a record 10 playoff hat tricks.
  • It's astonishing to realize that the national anthems of both nations were modified to pay tribute to an athlete . Wayne Gretzky's impact on the game was so profound that he earned a tribute of unmatched significance . Check out his

Honors

  • 8-Time All-NHL First Team (1981–87, 1991)
  • 7-Time All-NHL Second Team (1980, 1988–90, 1994, 1997, 1998)
  • All-WHA Second Team — 1979
  • remarkable records, accolades, and distinctions that are simply unbelievable.
  • Total goals, including playoffs: 1,016 achieved across 1,487 regular season matches, which consist of 122 playoff goals.
  • Officer of the Order of Canada
  • Highest single-season goals: 92 scored during the 1981–82 season with an 80-game schedule.
  • Most goals in a single season, inclusive of playoffs: 100 during the 1983–84 season, with 87 goals from 74 regular season matches and 13 in 19 playoff games.
  • AP-Athlete Of The Decade , 1980s
  • Records for most goals over the first 50 games of a season: 61 accumulated in the 1981–82 and 1983–84 seasons (from October 7, 1981, to January 22, 1982 and from October 5, 1983, to January 25, 1984, with an 80-game schedule).
  • Most goals scored in a single period: 4 (tied with ten other players) on February 18, 1981.
  • Most assists during one season: 163 recorded in 1985–86 across an 80-game season.
  • Total assists in one season, counting playoffs: 174 achieved in 1985–86; with 163 assists during the regular season and 11 assists accumulated in 10 playoff games.
  • Most assists in a single game: 7 (tied with Billy "The Kid\" Taylor) on three separate occasions—February 16, 1980; December 12, 1985; and February 15, 1986.
  • IIHF Centennial All-Star Team
  • Most assists recorded during one road game: 7 (tied with Billy "The Kid\" Taylor) on December 11, 1985.

Cumulative points, including playoffs: 3,239 amassed during 1,487 regular season and 208 playoff games (comprising 1,016 goals and 2,223 assists).

Source:

Total points scored in one season: 215 during 1985–86 across an 80-game schedule (with 52 goals and 163 assists). , espn.com, April 18, 2019

Written by: David Green