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This Day in Hockey History

Kirby Lee / Reuters

1961 - The Great One's birthday

Wayne Douglas Gretzky is born in the town of Brantford, Ontario.

Upon entering the NHL as a member of the Edmonton Oilers in 1979, Gretzky quickly sets himself apart as a singular talent, becoming the NHL's leading point-scorer while recording more assists than any other player in league history has points.

Here's a look at a few of Gretzky's achievements over the course of his 20-year career with the Oilers, Los Angeles KingsSt. Louis Blues and New York Rangers.

  • Most goals: 894
  • Most goals, one season: 92 in 1981-82 (80-game schedule)
  • Most assists: 1,963
  • Most assists, one season: 163 in 1985-86 (80-game schedule)
  • Most points: 2,857 in 1,487 games
  • Nine-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP
  • 10-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL's scoring champion
  • Four Stanley Cups and two Conn Smythe Trophies

This, of course, is just scratching the surface of Gretzky's encyclopedia of accomplishments. After his retirement in 1999, he was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after the NHL waived the standard waiting period. The league also retired his jersey number 99 league-wide, making him the only player to receive this honor.

1997 - Lemieux scores four in one period

Speaking of great players setting records, Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores four goals in one period in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

This ties a record for most goals in a period, currently shared by nine other players. Johan Franzen of the Detroit Red Wings is the group's newest member after accomplishing the feat during the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2010.

Birthdays

1950 - Ivan Hlinka
1957 - Dale McCourt
 

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