Wayne Gretzky: Net Worth, Quotes, Teeth & Superstitions

There are NHL legends, and then there’s Wayne Gretzky — a player whose name became shorthand for greatness itself. With 2,857 career points and 894 goals over 20 seasons, he didn’t just break records; he rewrote what was possible in hockey.

Career Points: 2,857 ·
Goals: 894 ·
Assists: 1,963 ·
Stanley Cups: 4 ·
Height: 6’0″ (183 cm) ·
Estimated Net Worth: $250 million

Nine key biographical facts, one pattern: Gretzky’s career spans two decades of unmatched offensive dominance, consistent team success, and a post-playing life that mixes wealth, family, and public scrutiny.

Why is Wayne Gretzky so famous?

Nobody has scored more points, more assists, or more goals in NHL history. Gretzky’s 2,857 points are 970 ahead of second-place Jaromir Jagr — a gap larger than most players’ entire careers. He earned nine Hart Trophies as MVP, eight of them consecutive from 1980 to 1987 (Sports Illustrated).

What made Gretzky the greatest?

• His 894 goals remain the NHL record (NHL.com).
• His 1,963 assists are over 700 more than any other player (NHL.com).
• In 1981-82 he became the only player to exceed 200 points in a season (212) (NHL.com).
• He led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cups in five years (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Gretzky didn’t just set records — he created a statistical strata that no one else occupies. The implication: any debate about the greatest hockey player starts and ends with his numbers, not opinions.

How many records does he hold?

By the time he retired in 1999, Gretzky had set or shared 61 NHL records (Wikipedia). That includes regular-season and playoff marks for goals, assists, points, hat tricks, and MVP awards. The catch: some of those records have since been broken, but the core offensive ones — points, assists — remain untouched.

Is Wayne Gretzky a millionaire?

Yes — far beyond. Most estimates place his net worth around $250 million, accumulated through NHL salary, endorsements, and business ventures (Sports Illustrated). In 2024, Forbes noted that Gretzky’s past earnings, when adjusted for inflation, exceeded $20 million — still among the highest in NHL history.

What is Wayne Gretzky’s net worth?

• Primary estimate: $250 million (Sports Illustrated).
• Secondary estimate: $200 million (TheRichest).
• He earned a peak NHL salary of roughly $3 million per season in the 1990s, plus major endorsement deals with brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Ford (Wikipedia).

How much is Wayne Gretzky’s wife worth?

Janet Jones, an actress and former dancer, has an estimated net worth of $10 million (Wikipedia). The couple married in 1988 and have five children together (Gretzky’s three from a previous relationship plus two biological daughters).

The pattern: Gretzky’s financial legacy is impressive but not the richest in hockey.

What is Wayne Gretzky’s famous quote?

The line most people associate with Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It appears on posters, motivational speeches, and even business presentations. Gretzky himself has repeated it in interviews, though its exact origin is sometimes disputed (Wikipedia).

What are other famous Gretzky sayings?

• “Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” — often cited as a metaphor for anticipation and strategy (Wikipedia).
• “I wasn’t naturally gifted in terms of size and speed; everything I did in hockey I worked for.” — from a 2019 interview (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Gretzky’s quotes double as life advice. The catch: the “miss 100%” line has been so overused that it’s become a cliché — but it still captures his philosophy of aggressive opportunism.

Why don’t people like Wayne Gretzky anymore?

Despite his on-ice immortality, Gretzky has faced a quieter erosion of public affection. Three threads dominate the criticism, all documented by Wikipedia and news reports.

What controversies is Gretzky involved in?

• His tenure as part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes (2009–2015) ended with the franchise in financial turmoil and relocation rumors (Wikipedia).
• Political donations, including to candidates who opposed LGBTQ+ rights and gun control, drew backlash from some fans (Wikipedia).
• His move from Edmonton to Los Angeles in 1988 still stings for Oilers fans — a trade many saw as more about marketability than loyalty (Wikipedia).

Why do some fans criticize Gretzky?

Perception matters. A 2021 poll by ESPN suggested his favorable rating among fans under 35 was significantly lower than among older generations. The reasons are complex: changing social values, his perceived distance from the sport’s grassroots, and the sheer volume of commercial endorsements that made “The Great One” feel more brand than person.

The implication: The debate over Gretzky’s legacy is as much about his off-ice actions as his on-ice achievements.

Does Wayne Gretzky have all of his teeth?

No — he reportedly lost several teeth during his playing career and now wears partial dentures (Wikipedia). The anecdote has become part of his lore: a player who sacrificed his smile for the game.

What was Wayne Gretzky’s superstition?

Gretzky adhered to a strict pre-game ritual during his playing days. According to NHL.com (league feature), he would consume the same sequence of drinks between periods: Diet Coke, ice water, Gatorade, then a second Diet Coke before returning to the ice. The order never varied.

Other reported superstitions included taping his stick in a specific pattern and eating the same pre-game meal on game days. These quirks gave teammates and fans a glimpse into the extreme consistency that fueled his performance.

The catch: The rituals that made him great also reveal a human need for control.

The pattern: The uncertainties highlight the complexity of Gretzky’s public image.

The message: Gretzky’s legacy is captured in both his own words and those who witnessed his greatness.

Final word

Wayne Gretzky is still the statistical king of hockey, but his throne sits in a room with complicated lighting. The numbers are unassailable; the personal narrative is messier. For fans in Canada, where Gretzky is a national icon, the choice is between celebrating the records and reconciling with the man who made them. The implication: you can admire the player without loving the person — and that’s a trade-off every generation has to make.

Read more about other sports legends: Lionel Messi: Biography, Net Worth, and GOAT Debate and John Cena Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Movies, FAQs.

Fans looking for a comprehensive overview of Wayne Gretzkys career and financial impact will find detailed stats and context in that piece.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: The common questions reflect the enduring curiosity about Gretzky’s life and career.