On this day 42 years ago, Wayne Gretzky did something for the very first time.
On this day 42 years ago, Wayne Gretzky did something for the very first time.
EDMONTON -- Wayne Gretzky is one of the greatest hockey players of all time - and perhaps the greatest player to ever wear an Edmonton Oilers uniform.
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Many within the hockey community would not argue with that point. In 1487 regular season games "The Great One" would amass 2857 points. The next closest player is 936 points behind him - with Jaromir Jagr collecting 1921 points in 1733 games.
His playoff performances were just as extraordinary. In 208 playoff games he collected 382 points. If we are strictly looking at points to define the best player to ever play hockey - there is no contest.
The volume of points isn't the only impressive thing about his record - the manner in which he scored those points is worthy to note. Specifically, how many points he collected in a five season span.
On March 25th 42 years ago, Gretzky achieved something that had never been done before. In a Battle of Alberta game he recorded his 200th point of the season.
At 9:16 of the first period he had the only assist on a goal from Pat Hughes. He would add one more assist and two goals to his box score for that game. The Oilers would go on to beat the Calgary Flames 7-2.
This was the first time a player had ever reached the 200-point plateau. Gretzky finished the 1981-82 season with 212 points.
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The following year he would (only) register 196 points - but then followed that up with three consecutive seasons with 200 or more points. To this day, he is the only NHL player to ever have at least 200 points in a regular season.
Mario Lemieux came painfully close in 1988-89 - as he finished with 199 points.
This is one of many reasons why Gretzky has always been The Great One.
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