By the Numbers: “The Great One”—Why #99 Stands Alone in NHL History
In the world of professional sports, certain numbers are inseparable from the icons who wore them. But in the NHL, the number “99” transcends the jersey itself. On February 6, 2000, number “99” became the only number in NHL history to be retired across every single team. It wasn't just a gesture of respect towards Wayne Gretzky; it was a permanent tribute to a hockey player who didn't just play the game—he fundamentally rewrote its DNA.
“The Great One” Redefining the Record Books
Wayne Gretzky’s statistical dominance is so profound it often feels like fiction. To understand why number “99” is retired league-wide, you have to look at the pure reality of his NHL career. Wayne Gretzky remains the only player in NHL history to record a 200-point season. He didn’t just reach that mountain peak once; he did it four times, topping out at a staggering 215 points in 1985-86. His 92-goal campaign in 1981-82 remains a hallowed benchmark, marking the only time a player has ever eclipsed the 90-goal plateau in a single season.
Cool Fact: The Associated Press, in 1990, named Wayne Gretzky the Male Athlete of the Decade.
894 Goals: Just a Side Quest
Perhaps the most mind-boggling "Gretzky stat" is this: if you took away every single one of his 894 career goals, he would still be the NHL’s all-time leading scorer based on assists alone—1,963 assists. Moreover, “The Great One” currently holds 11 of the top 15 spots for most assists in a single season.
Cool Fact: In 1985-86, “The Great One” posted a 163-Assist season; if he did not score even one goal, he would have still won the Art Ross Trophy.
August 9, 1988: The Trade That Changed Everything
While four Stanley Cup championships with the Edmonton Oilers helped cement his status as a winner, it was "The Trade" in 1988 that changed the trajectory of the game of hockey. In his very first year in Los Angeles, Gretzky’s Kings famously upset his former team, the Oilers, in a seven-game playoff thriller. Ultimately, Gretzky’s arrival in Los Angeles, along with his far-reaching popularity, helped put the game of hockey on the map—more prominently—across the entire United States, and directly led to the NHL’s expansion into non-traditional hockey markets like Anaheim, San Jose, and beyond.
99: An Unmatched Legacy
From “The Great One’s” dynastic years in Edmonton to his final sunset with the New York Rangers, number “99” was the universal symbol of excellence. When the NHL retired his number league-wide, they were acknowledging a simple truth: we will never see his like again. Wayne Gretzky didn't just lead the NHL; he defined it. Today, number “99” stands alone—not just as a number, but as the ultimate standard of greatness.