Legends of Hockey: Wayne Gretzky - A Biography (Part 1 of 2)

[MadMedeiros]

people may say he was the best, people may say he was not... but always remember, 50 goals, 39 games... no one will ever touch that, and that alone should prove, gretzky was the best, and until that record gets broken... then the title can be passed.

[jimmyfly215]

99..... it is where the argument begins, and it's where it ends.....99

[RedPaladin]

Gary Suter, Ron Hextall and Doug Gilmour disliked this.

[ashburnhouse]

What a boring speaker.

[alm0st4life]

defense (Orr) beats offence (Gretzky) any day of the week

[RickySouthwell]

crazy for staying out passed 10 playing hockey? who ever thinks that is crazy is the one who is crazy

[Chamchamcham10]

1:03 you can tell how much wayne love and respect his dad, now THAT's top class!

[canada10303]

wayne gretzky has been my hero since i first started watching hockey when i was 5 years old. A true legend among sports.

[MrHockeysuperstar17]

he is a legend

[sergei91federov]

Gretzky, Lemieux, and Orr......best of the best

[mosgem]

some people play hockey. Gretzky plays 40 mile an hour chess

[jerryjoejimbob]

The point was that Orr fans USE the DEFENSEMAN EXCUSE when Orr's faults and/or failures are shown or demonstrated.

If Orr was so great, why was he on the ice for all six (6) of the Montreal goals in their comeback win of 7-5 (after Habs down, 5-1) in the second game of the '71 playoffs?

Further, Orr was on the ice for all four (4) of the Hab goals in that 7th and deciding game in Boston Garden, 4/18/71. Plainly, Orr played poorly in that whole series.

It wasn't just Dryden.

[plasticwinter]

@jerryjoejimbob he played defense he couldn't prevent goals from Montreal there the Greatest team of all time

[jerryjoejimbob]

Isn't it pathetic that people around Boston still think that Orr was better than Gretsky!  What delusion. And when the facts get too strong for them, they always resort to that dreadful canard, " . . but her's a defenceman." If Orr was so great, why didn't he become a forward? On Orr's best day, he was not as good as Gretzky on a typical day.

Look; Orr was flashy . . like Gale Sayers was for the Chicago Bears. But does that charcteristic make him the best ever? No.

[theghr]

@jerryjoejimbob "If Orr was so great, why did'nt he become a forward?" Is that your retort when people takes Orr being a defenceman into the picture? You certainly loose at least the intellectual part with that kind of remark, believe that! :)

[001MeTaBoLiC100]

I wonder what if Lemieux wasn't in so much pain and sick with Hodgkin lymphoma would he have beat some of Gretzky's records. He most likely would have beat Gretzky's record of 51 game point streak but he stopped at 46 games due to severe pain. Both Gretzky and Lemieux were the most amazing hockey players ever in the history of hockey. 99 and 66 legends forever.

[chaseman12]

he was the smartest player of all time. not the prettiest to watch like orr or lemieux. it was his brain that set him apart from the rest. he did things that were unique, confused his opponents. there will never be another gretzky. but my all time fave was The Boss.

[LeCutter]

For me Guy Lafleur was my guy. However, facing facts no one can deny how great Gretzky was. In every sport there are giants few and far between. Like Jordan, Farve, etc. Lemiuex runs a VERY close second, but Gretz was it. No dissrepect to Orr and all those who came before but everything this man did just shattered everything that came before him.

[rebelslayer13]

I love Wayne Gretzky and I fucking love Gordie Howe... but look at Bobby Orr.

He might not have had the talent or records that Gretzky had, but he played hard enough to be called, by me, the greatest who ever played.

[EyesOfTheSouthSTi]

@rebelslayer13  Orr is considered the second greatest talent next to Lemiuex. The records he has are most points by a defensemen, most assists by a defensemen, highest plus/minus in one NHL season, The youngest player to be inducted into the HHoF, Only player ever to win the Norris Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Conn Smythe Trophy in one season, Only defenceman to lead the league in scoring, 8 consecutive norris trophies.

[nitsuj182]

Wayne Gretzky is the greatest player of all-time no body beats him.

not even orr or howe. they said he wasn't the fastest skater or big but he was good because he could anticipate were the puck was going to be.

[yaneznyu]

Let's get this right. They were both great in their own way, but here's what I like best about both of these icons.  Neither of them had their names dragged through the mud with sex scandals, performance enhancing drugs, or drunk driving charges....just to mention a few. Both were gentlemen and neither had a swelled head. I think these attributes speak just as loudly as their athletic prowess!!!!

[SpitamaFan]

Bobby Orr, Gretzky, BOTH are legends, both are gentlemen and it is pointless to argue who is better. Different eras, different positions, different styles of hockey.

Same goes for MANY other hockey legends.

[plasticwinter]

@SpitamaFan i agree but Orr is just about a quater better than Gretzy because bobby orr hade played defense Gretzky played center and Orr was possibly the captin of the Big Bad Bruins even though he didn't wear a "C"

on his chest Orr played without helmets played with low quality gloves and sticks so you do the math whos better and the fastest defenseman of all time would stand #1 but Gretzky the greatest scorer of all time ill give him that beating 50 goals and 39 games that almost god like:)

[Elmaln]

@SpitamaFan same goes for many other sports legends, its really hard to compare players from different eras playing different positions. Its like Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, most would say Jordan is better, and he might have been, but even Jordan himself says that saying he's better than those that built the game isn't fair, because he never played against them.

[MrCrazyak47]

@SpitamaFan like mike bossy



[Philhouse21]

@SpitamaFan you couldn't be more right, for most people it just comes down to who they like more

[joecobra1234]

@SpitamaFan Gretzky make bobby ore look like a welfare case,hands down,no comparsion,only one that was close was 66 ,end of story

[jeffhardy009wwe]

@joecobra1234 actually bobby orr played defense and mario played with cancer and back problems, if mario played healthy and bobby played offense, bobby and mario's stats would be different

[bullsleafs]

Best I ever saw, I was born in 1972. I don't remember any players that played before 1978-79 so I can't really compare those players. Gretzky was amazing player and an even better person. No one since even compares.

[salmonbomb]

BO-BBY ORR! BO-BBY ORR! BO-BBY ORR!

[hemskyfreak]

Gretzkys the best player ever no doubt

[mrceebees14]

Scabania? Is this the same Scabania who bought the Atlanta Flames and moved them to Calgary?

[mrceebees14]

Gretzky was great, Bossy was a better pure goal scorer.

[ShowerCurtain31]

you guys might thinks its bullshit but my friends dad actually lived next door to wayne gretzky when they were kids in brantford and they were bestfriends all through grade school and into high school and they still talk today and i've gotten to meet walter but not wayne just from him being bestfriends with him. he told me that one day if he ever sees wayne he would let me meet him. i hope it happens lol.

[flamesfan1417]

Great player, but I gotta say Orr will always be better... the only defenseman to ever lead the lead in goals, and he did it twice. One season he scored 46 goals! And I say gordie Howe is still up there and just as good as Gretzky. I don't think any one will ever play in 26 all star games. But u still gotta respect this guy

[ThEsIcKbEaTs]

greatest player ever period, he has over 1000 more points than mark messier who is number two in points, he also has 93 more goals than gordie howe and gordie howe played 280 more games, had bobby orr not been injured and played the entirety of his career he would have ended with a much higher point total than other legendary defensmen but not so extensive as 1000 more points, and on the topic of injuries gretzkys career was hampered by back problems, sounds like shoulda woulda coulda to me

[Thesharpest1ofall]

The best player ever. Awesome post.

[joecobra1234]

Thanks ,great upload!

[ukiceman45]

It's January 26th today so, Happy Birthday to 99 from the UK

[Redscotter]

I'll go with the players opinion over Garry Bettman's ... call me crazy.

[lizrprty]

Not crazy at all, Bettman is the scum of the NHL.

[Redscotter]

Wayne was the greatest scorerer of all-time. Bobby Orr was the greatest Hockey Player of all-time. Big difference that. Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Clarke, Phil Esposito, Milt Schmidt, Lanny Macdonald, Bobby Hull - Hall of Famers All - say that Orr was the Greatest Hockey Player ever.

[thecoopstah09]

@Redscotter - I'll make this short and sweet , if you think there's another player better then Gretzky you really don't know the game of hockey, you CANNOT compare Orr to Gretzky they are two comepletely different players, do your homework next time before you open your mouth because you only make yourself look bad.

[Redscotter]

@thecoopstah09 - I'll make this shorter and sweeter: you're an idiot. There is a big difference between and all-around two-way player and one who scores and sets-up goals. At 47 years of age, and after having seen both of them play, I think I'll attest to this reality - and distinction - a fair bit better than you can iever do in this matter.

[Redscotter]

@thecoopstah09 - I see you're American - enuff said! I have been playing and watching hockey as a Canadian since 1968. I still play. Can you even skate?

[MrDaemonB]

@thecoopstah09 as far as the attributes that define great hockey players. the 'Greatest Player' would be the best at many of them or at least possess ALL of them. Orr was the best skater,passer,and was good defensively,he was tough and could fight. Gretzky's offensive anticipation and passing and shooting was as good as Orrs if not better. But thats all and that is not enough to measure up to Bobby Orr

[Thedudeherenow]

@Redscotter false. espo said he was the greatest defenceman of all time. espo is on record saying wayne is the best. and many that you listed said he was the best when they played. so you're wrong. you wouldn't make a good reporter. maybe for Fox.

[Redscotter]

@Thedudeherenow - false yourself. Go to the Video of Esposito's Sweater Retirement and see what he says about Bobby Orr. And that occured when Wayne was at the height of his powers. Gretzky IS the greatest scorer of all-time, but Hockey is not just about scoring. Bobby Orr is the greatest hockey player of all-time. Gretzky did not hit, he did not fight, he did not back-check (at least not in the 1980's). WG was a great hockey player, but he is nowhere near the greatest player.

[Thedudeherenow]

@Redscotter Yet he said it after all was said and done. of course he won't say something like that while a player is active. good god, man, are you dense? do you not understand how things work. And you're confused with your labels, skippy. What you should say is...Orr is the most "complete" hockey player, but the greatest. Gretzky in his prime was too much for everyone, he made opponents look like pee wees. he did things that confused everyone. orr was great. Gretzky is #1.

[Redscotter]

@Thedudeherenow - and another thing. I watch both of them. Did you? I thought not. Hockey is more than the scoring lists in the Record Book. Only an American or a Canadian blinkered by "the greatness that is Generation Y" would say WG is a better hockey player than Bobby Orr.

[Thedudeherenow]

@Redscotter I said he was the smartest player of all time -- that combined with his talent made him the greatest. You watched Orr back in the day and yelled out" Look ma, he go faster den everybody. he da best. I don't care who comes along - he da best, ma, he da best!" He was a talented guy who was in good shape in the very out-of-shape league of the 60's and 70's./

[Redscotter]

@Thedudeherenow - Let's see .... Bobby Orr retired in 1978 abd played his last full season in 1975. Gretzky began his career in 1978. How was the NHL markedly different in 1981 than it was in 1978? Are you saying that in three full years, a pradigm shift of epic proportions took place that made the players and their conditioning superior to players from a mere three seasons previous? Illogicial. Gretzky's age overlapped Orr's. Therefore, there is no essential difference in caliber of competition

[Thedudeherenow]

@Redscotter you're ridiculous. there is a decade between both player's primes. And, yes, as the game evolves, the players are in better shape. gretzky in the early 70s would have made the men cry. he revolutionized the game- he saw the ice like no other. again, the smartest player of all time. when you understand theat, you'll chill on your orr campaign. the nicest to watch, sure; the greatest, not quite. 3rd after Gretz and Lemieux. the greatest defenceman - yes. the end.

[Redscotter]

Notice how so few players testify on Gretzky's segment. Notice how it is Wayne talking most of the time. Wayne's admirer's are mostly management types. Now compare this segment to the one on Bobby Orr.

[Fitplayer66]

@Redscotter Say what you want Bobby Ore was incredible. However, acknowledge the fact that Wayne Greatzky shattered nearly every record in the sport of hockey and single handedly popularized the sport across the southern United States. Gretzky still goes down as the greatest winner and scorer in the history of hockey by a milestone.

[smagmatits]

@Redscotter lol ur fuckin retarded

[Redscotter]

@smagmatits - No. You are a fuckin' idiot. Did you see Orr play, or are you blinkered by shiny things like Goals and Assists only ? I imagine you as some 'tard who drools over the record book and says things like: "lookie at all the Goals he done scored!" Gretzky is the greatest scorer of all-time, but that is not the same thing as the greatest hockey player of all-time. Lookit Son, I played at a higher level than you can dream of, and I still play and Coach to this day. You read stats. Big Diff

[Redscotter]

@smagmatits - you're 25 ! What the fuck do you know - about anything ? Go back to your PSP in your Parent's basement. Please.

[smagmatits]

@Redscotter whats the goal in a hockey game? to score. you just said Wayne was the greatest scorer of all time.. thanks for proving my point. and LOL @ you saying u coach.. U sound like Graham James LOL, and I can obv skate circles around u because yes I am 25. When I'm ur age, I'm not gonna cry about strangers sharing their opinion on youtube, get a life bud.

[Redscotter]

@smagmatits - The goal of a hockey game is to win - and such a result derives from different variables: offence, defence, goaltending, solid two-way play, good skating, solid stickwork, crisp passing, winning battles in the corner, standing-up to intimidation, and intimidating - when need be. Just because you are 25 does not mean you could skate circles around me ... I play on a team with guys your age, and they still cannot keep-up with me. WG was one-dimensional. He was not a complete package.

[skangmox]

@Redscotter LOL his oppenents cant score a goal if HE always has the puck. The best defence is a good offence. He'd pick the puck off your stick like magic, intercept passes because he was so good at anticipating. so to say he was one dimensional is absolutley blind

[MrRob7004]

@Redscotter Gretzky got more short handed points then anyone,His +/- is second highest in the nhl only orrs is a little higher .so he was great as a forward,and instead of skating around with the puck in your own end trying to kill of a penalty for a min,he said come on guys lets put it in their net,much better.

[161phil161]

one of the most accurate shots the game ever had

[Bhagawann]

wayne is best.

is somewhere avialable music from this hall of fame video?

[ukiceman45]

I live on the Isle of Wight its a small island, south coast UK. Weve only got a small rink but this guy has inspired so many young kids over the years. Ive only got one tattoo and it says 50 in 39 people often say what do the numbers mean? I just smile and say you wouldnt understand

[lightningjelly]

Sweet i like that, that's very cool especially being english i can see a canadian doing that but not someone from england. Cheers mate!!

[tterraggarrett]

@ukiceman45 its 50 in 38...

[pwnsyou82]

@tterraggarrett Actually no. Its 50 in 39.

[RickySouthwell]

@ukiceman45 well they would if you took the time to explain it lol

[MarmiteGivesLife]

"Its gonna take alot of goals to break that one" lol

Hes so proud of that, and rightly so!

[11DNA11]

Ye was thinking the same :) He just throws a remark "it's gonna take alot of goals to break that one" :D I think that the single season records for goals, assists and points will never be broken. Nowadays you win the scoring race with 120 points.. they're still almost a hundred points behind Gretzky.

Only player who ever could've broken that was Mario when he did 160 points in 60 games.

[rushrules65]

Yes, indeed! And, little known to many, is that in Gretzky's record of 51 straight games with a point, he amassed 153 points in those 51 games.

[11DNA11]

true, and in my opinion, one of the craziest records he has is that he'd lead the all time points, even if he had 0 career goals xD

[rushrules65]

little known fact (rarely ever brought up) is that Gretzky went 51 straight games with at least one point. Lemieux came close 44 games. But, Gretzky had 153 points in those 51 games, 3.00 per game.

[otsku1151]

good that you uploaded this biography. I have seen this once on TV and i have wanted to see this second time! Thanks! B-)

[sdgakatbk]

50 in 39, and 92 over 80 in '81-'82. Um, sounds like he hit a slump after game 39.

[crazenate]

haha

[levioliver]

Awesome player, thing with the minor hockey stats, he was 6 years old on a 10 year old team (suppose to be 10 to start playing on it). That means he got 4 years of playing with faster kids, which makes you good, but then when he was 10, he would have been playing against kids that were just starting at the age of 10! So 378 goals is a lot, but its a bit relative, he had 4 years of hardcore playing then was playing against rookie 10 year olds. Can't argue how good he was though, look at NHL

[matt75hooper]

Nobraino2000. If you need to insult one player (Orr) to advance your cause for another player---you must not be very confident in that player. In today's game----the equipment is better, the pay is better, the training is better, and the skates are mind boggling compared to 40 years ago. And this would make Orr less of a player today ? That logic escapes me. Defense is far tougher than offence. They make a statistic for stopping goals too---it's called PLUS /MINUS.

Orr owns that one.

[jagfan46]

378 goals omg that so good

[foggyfogs]

also mario gordie and a ton of other players that say wayne was the best so dont come at me and say cause coffey and orr say this that and whatever cause im am 100% sure that there are more players that think wayne was the best

[a3her]

Gordie never says 99 was the best ever..he always emphatically said Orr was, Mario says 99 was the best of his era..his era..said Orr was the best of all time..oh well, back to the drawing board. Did you know Gretzky had 2285 goals scored against him while he was on the ice..an all time record..worst ever. Orr crushes 99 when you compare true on ice stats. +1.01 +/- stat for Orr, .35 for Gretzky..really? Orr's gf-ga is almost double Gretzky's..no one is even close to Orr's dominating numbers

[shazariahl]

Can't even compare that - Gretzky played on a team that didn't care about defense. At all, actually. Gretzky's +/- is still the best among forwards, both single season and career. And that was without concentrating on D, just trying to outscore the other team.

Orr played on a team that had both great D and great O, so they scored less than the Oilers, but gave up less as well. On the other hand, they won only 2 cups, so apparantly on-ice stats didn't matter since they won half as much.

[a3her]

OK..gf-ga don't matter?? So how would any one win a game? Trust me this matters, it didn't matter to Gretzky, but it matters. The Oiler team of the late 80's obviously ranks higher than Orr's Boston team..hhof votes, the fact they won a cup without 99, and the New York Oiler cup winning team tell ya who the dominant team was. However, Orr won more cups based on games played..if you want to base it on statistics.

Orr was more dominant on the ice and more important to his team than 99 ever was.

[shazariahl]

I didn't say it wasn't important - I said it wasn't important to the Oilers, which is why they gave up so many goals. But you are taking a team stat and applying it to two individuals. Park had better gf-ga and +/- than Gretzky too on that team. Does that mean he was better?

Orr HAD to care about D because he was a Dman. Otherwise he's just a forward. Gretzky was the greatest offensive threat ever, and using defensive stats to measure him vs a Dman is silly. Of course Orr was better at D.

[a3her]

Huh?? Park and Orr played together for a handful of games. Park's Bruins were a lot different than Orr's Bruins.(6 players from 70) One was the lunch pail crew of defensive muckers the other was Orr's offensive and..and defensive group. (Mainly led by Orr..they let a ton of goals in while Orr was on the bench!!).  Also Park doesn't come close to Gretzky's +/-...only Orr does (Robinson was close for a couple of years). Orr once again proves he is the most complete and dominant player in history.

[shazariahl]

Orr was certainly more complete; I don't think anyone has ever said otherwise. My point is that if you use defensive stats to measure Gretzky vs Orr, of course Orr will win. Just like if I use offensive stats to measure them, Gretzky will win.

They were different styles of players, in different possitions, if different eras. Trying to compare them is stupid, because there is really no basis for comparison. Gretzky is the greatest offensive player over, Orr is the most well rounded.

[a3her]

Well said! I too agree that 99 is the greatest offensive player ever. However, if you look at the goals for while a player is on the ice...Orr's stats compare even up to 99's if you factor in games played. If you factor in that Orr played in a way more defensive era and Gretzky played in the tissue paper defensive gogo 80's in the wild wild west division...once again Orr comes out as the most dominant Offensive player...wow, who'd a thunk it!!!

[Scoclamor]

@a3her Actually...I did that comparison a few years ago...get this Gretzky...on the ice for an NHL record 265 goals for one season (81/82)! Goals against you ask...just 123! That's pretty good for a guy who can't play defence, don't you think...didn't many of the great defenceman give up that many goals in a season?

[Scoclamor]

@shazariahl Yeah...they're both on my all time team with Hull, Howe, Sawchuk and Dennis Potvin! It would depend on what you needed...if you have a good defence, Gretzky's who you need. If you have some good forwards but lack defence, Orr's the guy you need!

[foggyfogs]

i dont agree with you at all ..look at the stats when he was with each team then talk to me ...yes Edmonton was a great team but he also played on a terrible kings team for alot of his career and he put up great number there 1669 with Edmonton and 1188 with the kings ..and he played in his prime in Edmonton even if he just played for the kings i think he would be the all time leader in pts

[foggyfogs]

anyone that knows hockey knows that gretzky is the best player ever period hes done it all

[Bigbadben7]

He did what he did in his prime with a team that was so good they won the cup after they traded him.

Paul Coffey won Cups with Lemieux and Gretzky and said that Mario was the best he ever playe with.

Bobby Orr said that Mario was the best he had ever seen.

Gretzky had good health and a great team i his prime, which is where the bulk of his carrer totals come from.

[SmokeDogg11]

Mario was a crybaby pussy until he learned how the game should be played by playing with Wayne in the Canada Cup. He learned to stay on his skates and not flop on the ice trying to draw a penalty every time he got hit. Were it not for Wayne, Mario would not have been nearly the player he turned out to be.

[Bigbadben7]

My point is that usually when someone brings up the Could have scnerios it's due to a carrer ending injury or a early retirment where a player was still good buthad slipped a bit and we don't know for sure that he would have maintained his averages.

The bulk Lemieux's games missed as well as his first early retirment and various hiatius due to poor health such as back surgeriges, aneama, cancer, post cancer treatment and fatigue, came in his prime and youth.

He only played 915 games of 1428.

[oOSgtDuffmanOo]

Lemieux has cancer and a back problem. Wayne Gretzky had Marty Mcsorley? Whos the puss now.

[defthricedayverge]

he was a monster

[dtr227]

Absolutely Not.

[TheTruthfulAsshole]

Lemieux, Orr, Hull, The Rocket and Bossy were all better.

[braino2000]

Orr played at a time where the game was not NEAR as good... And even LEMIEUX said gretzky was the greatest. Hull could not touch #99 either.

[TheTruthfulAsshole]

Yeah, that's why Bobby Hull has the #1 and #4 highest goal percentage over #2.

Check his 65-66 season.

Goals are what matter most and Hull and Lemieux scored them better and more often and when needed to in comparison to the player around them, don't forget Gretz scored a pitiful 9 goals in his last season at 38, Howe scored 40+ at 40 years of age. Bitch.

[braino2000]

OH NO!! HE CALLED ME A BITCH!

Dude you don't know shit about the game. Do you really think goals make the game? Stats make the player? Even if, Gretzky would still have everyone beat in stats. If he scored NO GOALS in his entire career he would still lead in points because of his assists. And Howe played at time where the game was WAAAAAYY less then Gretzky. Wayne made the smartest, fastest, and greatest plays in history, that's what made him good. Even Lemieux said that. **Bitch**

[TheTruthfulAsshole]

You could also argue Wayne benefited from playing in the highest scoring era because at the time of arrival a quarter of the league was crappy expansion teams.

Secondly, Wayne played on one of the most stacked teams ever, Mario did not and still produced amazing numbers.

Plus Mario wasn't a pussy.

[braino2000]

Your comments are to rediculous to debate. So Wayne didn't fight? He was a play maker, a scorer, not a hitter.

[TheTruthfulAsshole]

He was a pussy.

Orr was the best defense man and for 5 seasons Top 2 forward in the league.

Maybe if Wayne had won a Selke or two, different story, but no.

[braino2000]

Yes, a pussy who scored more goals, assists, and point then anyone in NHL history and made the best and smartest plays ever seen. Wayne would skate fucking circles around Orr. And I like Bobby Orr, but by the time Wayne was at his prime the game had gotten more advanced then Orr's time. A pussy? Maybe you need to learn that the game of hockey isn't about hitting people.

[TheTruthfulAsshole]

" Maybe you need to learn that the game of hockey isn't about hitting people. "

Are you on crack?? It's not the only thing but it's apart of the game like blocking is apart of basketball.

[braino2000]

It is a part of the game, but blocking is a WAY bigger part of football then hitting is a part of hockey. Checking is essential, but Wayne didn't need to do it. He was a puss, but no one could touch him anyways. When he did get hit he was a wimp, but it didn't happen often.

[gohesh]

he wasnt a pussy.

he was smart, and no matter how athletic you are all of that can never compare to intelligence, he never claimed to be the best athlete, they even said he would never be big enough or fast enough to play at the pro level, looks like he showed all those people

[gohesh]

love for the game is what matters most.

[Bigbadben7]

Lemieux has always been diplomatic.

Mario missed 513 games and played 572 less that Gretzky.

Based on goal per game average Lemieux would have scored 182 more goals that Wayne had he played his 513 missed and 227 more goals than Gretzky had he played as many games.

Bobby Orr said that Lemieux was the best he had ever seen and Paul Coffey who won cups with both said that Mario was the best he ever played with.

Doctors say Mario was never above 80% healthy at any point.

[hamkey69]

That goal he scored at St. Louis, where he did a 360 & backhanded one past the Blues' goalie at the time, Gary Edwards? I was there when that happened...to this day, I've never been in a place where 19,000 people were dead silent after a goal by the opposition. We were all so stunned by that move, we couldn't boo! The Great Gretzky was the greatest ever, period.

[yashjoshi23]

this man had no 99 and broke no 1

[SharksKid]

The staals' dad did the same thing with the backyard rink. if you want your kids to do well in hockey just build a rink in your backyard.

[RadicalNotion]

many many dads have done that...it is quite common in canada actually. around that time anyways. now all the fat kids play hockey video games.

[mj1890]

One of the highlights of my life was meeting this man.

[dunskie]

What can you say? 50 in 39. That will probably stand forever.

[11DNA11]

no player in todays NHL will break that record.. If it's broken some day.. I hope i'm still around to see it :)

[AdrianoInacio]

Destined for greatness, as betoken by his name. The Great One´s feats are so remarkable that transcend Hockey placing him in the realm of legends.