NHL history: Milestones of Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky

Historical milestones in the NHL are marked by the legacies of Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. On October 16, 1946, Gordie Howe made his professional debut with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring his first goal in a 3-3 tie against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Howe went on to play 32 professional seasons, becoming the all-time leader in goals, assists, and points before his records were surpassed.

Wayne Gretzky, often referred to as ‘The Great One’, broke Howe’s all-time NHL scoring record on October 15, 1989, while playing for the Los Angeles Kings against his former team, the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky’s career included nine MVP titles, ten scoring titles, and four Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers. Following his retirement in 1999, his jersey number 99 was retired league-wide.