#99 Turns 50

Today Wayne Gretzky celebrates his 50th birthday. Gretzky on turning 50: "I don't mean to sound aloof about it, but it's another day and it's another birthday. I'm fortunate that my family's healthy and I'm physically healthy. I feel good."

After the break I'm going to give you 50 reasons/records/facts why he is the greatest.

1. Wayne Gretzky holds or shares 61 NHL records: 40 for the regular season, 15 for the Stanley Cup playoffs and six for the NHL All-Star Game
2. "Dude’s a role model. Made the impossible seem possible. That inspires me." - Kevin Smith
3. MOST POINTS: 2,856 (1,485 games, 894 goals, 1,962 assists)
4. MOST POINTS, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS: 3,238 (2,856 regular season and 382 playoff)
5. MOST GOALS: 894 Second: Gordie Howe, 801
6. MOST ASSISTS: 1,962
7. MOST 40-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS: 12
8. MOST CONSECUTIVE 40-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS: 12 (1979-80 to 1990-91)
9. MOST 50-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS: 9 (tied with Mike Bossy)
10. MOST 60-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS: 5 (tied with Mike Bossy)
11. MOST 100-OR-MORE POINT SEASONS: 15 Second: Mario Lemieux, 10
12. MOST CONSECUTIVE 100-OR-MORE POINT SEASONS:13 (1979-80 to 1991-92) Second: Six players tied with 6
13. MOST THREE-OR-MORE GOAL GAMES:
    50 (37 three-goal games; nine four-goal games; four five-goal games)
14. MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON: 215 (1985-86, 80-game schedule)
15. MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON: 215 (1985-86, 80-game schedule) Next (fifth): Mario Lemieux
16. MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS: 255 Next (sixth): Mario Lemieux, 218
17. MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON: 92 (1981-82, 80-game schedule) Second: Gretzky, 87 (1983-84, 80-game schedule)
18. MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS: 100
19. MOST GOALS, 50 GAMES FROM START OF SEASON: 61 (1981-82 and 1983-84) Third: 54 - Mario Lemieux (1988-89)
20. MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON: 163 (1985-86, 80-game schedule)
21. LONGEST CONSECUTIVE POINT-SCORING STREAK:
    51 games - 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points (Oct. 5, 1983 to Jan. 28, 1984)
22. MOST GOALS, ONE PERIOD: 4 (Tied with 10 other players)
23. MOST PLAYOFF GOALS: 122
24. MOST GAME-WINNING GOALS IN PLAYOFFS: 24
25. MOST ALL-STAR GAME GOALS: 13 (in 18 games played)
26. MOST ALL-STAR GAME POINTS, CAREER: 25 (13 goals, 12 assists in 18 games)Second: 22 - Mario Lemieux (11 goals, nine assists in 8 games)
27. At the age of 10, Gretzky scores 378 goals in Brantford's atom league - still an age group record.
28. While playing in the prestigious International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament in Quebec City's Le Colisee, the 14-year-old Gretzky is frequently besieged by autograph seekers.
29. Wayne first dons his now famous No. 99 jersey as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Originally wanting to wear No. 9 like his idol Gordie Howe, Gretzky settles on his trademark number after wearing No. 19 for a few weeks
30. In May 1978, Gretzky turns pro at 17 with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association.
31. In his first season with the Oilers, Gretzky registers 46 goals and 110 points on his way to capturing WHA rookie of the year honors.
32. Gretzky wins his first of eight consecutive Hart Trophies in 1979-80 as the MVP of the League.
33. Captains the Edmonton Oilers to their first Stanley Cup championship in 1984 over the New York Islanders in five games.
34. Makes his Kings debut on Oct. 6, 1988 vs. Detroit and records his first point on his first shot.
35. Success continues to find Gretzky during the 1984-85 season. He wins the Hart Trophy for the sixth consecutive year, the Art Ross for the fifth, the Lester B. Pearson for the fourth and makes his fifth First Team All-Star appearance at center.
36. Leads the NHL in 1984-85 with a plus-98 rating.
37. Gretzky and Messier with Stanley Cup
    May 26, 1988 - The Edmonton Oilers win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years.
38. On Aug. 9, 1988, Gretzky is traded to the Los Angeles Kings along with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, a 1989 first round pick (Martin Rucinsky), a 1993 first round pick (Nick Stajduhar) and cash.
39. On Dec. 30, 1981 against Philadelphia, Gretzky scores his 50th goal in an unimaginable 39 games. The previous mark was 50 goals in 50 games by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy.
40. Earns MVP honors of the 1989 NHL All-Star Game in Edmonton.
41. Apr. 29, 1996 - Wayne get his first goal as a St. Louis Blue. (eew)
42. Wins his second consecutive and third overall Lady Byng Trophy in 1992.
43. The New York Rangers sign Gretzky to a free-agent contact on July 21, 1996, reuniting him with former Edmonton teammate Mark Messier.
44. On Jan. 9, 1998, Gretzky is named the Greatest Hockey Player of All-Time as selected by The Hockey News.
45. Gretzky puts his stamp on hockey history once again on March 29, 1999, scoring the 1,072nd goal of his professional career. Between his NHL and WHA career, Gordie Howe tallied 1,071.
46. Ultimate Gretzky Great DVD must watch.
47. Is the brother of the great Brent Gretzky
48. 
49. He has statues in his image, that's right statues plural.
50. He changed the game forever and will always be known as The Great One.

Sidney Crosby on being anointed The Next One by Gretzky as a teenager: "I took what he said as a compliment and although I didn't think for a second I could or would break any of his records, for someone like that to say what he did meant a lot."

With that being said, there will never be another hockey talent/mind like Gretzky again. Without Gretzky there probably wouldn't still be a team in L.A. and there definitely wouldn't be teams in the south who knows the NHL might've crumbled years ago. Gretzky became a star and ambassador for the game. The game continues to grow infinitely because he ever laced up a pair of ice skates. The hockey world owes a lifetime of gratitude to The Great One. I will be wearing my Gretzky jersey in celebration today. LONG LIVE GRETZKY!

Posted by: Nick