Statistical Transcendence #2: Wayne Gretzky

[Mr. Friscus]

Out of all major sports out there, I've always held that if you partake in claiming a bonafide, hands down "GOAT" of a sport, the easiest choice is in Hockey, being "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky. While Gretzky was an excellent scorer, his absolute legendary skill was assists, and when this would be combined with goals... his overall points numbers were absolutely untouchable, revealing his all-around offensive game second to none, and not even in the same universe as all others:

Career Assists:
Gretzky: 1,963
Next Closest: 1,249

Gretzky comes in at 57% ahead of the next closest person, and the rest of all NHL players who have ever played the game.

Career Points (Goals + Assists):
Gretzky: 2,857
Next Closest: 1,921

Gretzky comes in at 49% ahead of the next closest person, and the rest of all NHL players who have ever played the game.

These records still stand solidly today (Gretzkey's 894 goals is being chased by Alex Ovechkin, who sits at 822). There's Gretzky, and then there's everyone else. He led the league in Goals 5 times, Assists 14 times, and overall points 11 times.. and most of the time he didn't just barely beat the rest of the pack.

As far as season to season dominance, there's no more impressive than his 5 year run from 1981-82 season to 1985-86.
(** = lead league) (+ = goals ahead of next closest player)
1981: Goals 92** (+28), Assists 120** (+27), Points 212** (+65)
1982: G 71** (+5), A 125** (+39), Pts 196** (+72)
1983: G 87** (+29) A 118** (+32), Pts 205** (+70)
1984: G 73** (+2), A 135** (+51), Pts 208** (+73)
1985: G (wasn't 1st!), A 163** (+70), Pts 215** (+75)

For 5 years, Gretzky was 1st in the NHL in all 3 major offensive categories except goals once, and he regularly was 60+% above the next highest player in points.

When all was said and done, Wayne won 9 MVPs, including 8 in a row from 1980-1987. He was on 4 stanley cup championship teams during his peak years in Edmonton.

This man played hockey on an entirely different level than the rest of the league at his time, and than any other player in history. Like Babe Ruth in Baseball, Wayne Gretzky joins my short list of those who have experienced.... STATISTICAL TRANSCENDENCE.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Mario Lemieux was almost as dominant while playing many of his peak years in a tougher era, on a weaker team, and even coming back from cancer. Gretzkys reign is undeniable though.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

Mario Lemieux was almost as dominant while playing many of his peak years in a tougher era, on a weaker team, and even coming back from cancer. Gretzkys reign is undeniable though.

Mario definitely bested Gretzky for some years in the late 80’s early 90’s, his rookie year was 1984, right in the thick of Wayne’s reign of terror. I remember Mario’s return from cancer, it’s a shame because he may have semi-rivaled Gretzky in stats if he had a full, uninterrupted career.