In the world of hockey, records are made to be broken. Just recently, Wayne Gretzky’s all-time N.H.L. goals record was surpassed by Alex Ovechkin, solidifying his place in hockey history. However, there are many other records held by Gretzky and other hockey legends that still seem untouchable.
Gretzky’s record of 894 goals stood for over two decades before Ovechkin finally surpassed it in January 2022. The Great One’s incredible scoring ability and longevity in the league made him a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Ovechkin’s achievement is a testament to his skill and dedication to the game, but it also highlights just how difficult it is to break some of the most hallowed records in hockey.
One of Gretzky’s most impressive records is his career points total of 2,857. To put that in perspective, the next closest player is Jaromir Jagr with 1,921 points. Gretzky’s ability to consistently produce points at an unprecedented rate throughout his career is a feat that may never be matched. Ovechkin, for all his goal-scoring prowess, is still over 1,000 points behind Gretzky’s record.
Another seemingly unbreakable record is Gretzky’s single-season points total of 215, set in the 1985-86 season. To put that in context, the closest anyone has come to that mark since then is Mario Lemieux with 199 points in the 1988-89 season. The combination of skill, luck, and durability required to reach such a milestone is a rare and elusive feat.
Gretzky also holds the record for most career assists with 1,963, a mark that may never be surpassed. His vision, hockey IQ, and playmaking ability set him apart from his peers and allowed him to rack up assists at an astonishing rate. Ovechkin, known more for his goal-scoring than his passing, is over 1,000 assists behind Gretzky’s record.
While Gretzky’s records may seem untouchable, there are other records held by hockey legends that also stand the test of time. Bobby Orr’s single-season plus/minus rating of +124 in the 1970-71 season is a mark that may never be equaled. The next closest player is Larry Robinson with +120 in the 1976-77 season. Orr’s dominance on both ends of the ice during that season was truly remarkable.
Another record that may never be broken is Martin Brodeur’s career wins total of 691. The next closest goalie is Patrick Roy with 551 wins, a difference of over 100 wins. Brodeur’s consistency, durability, and longevity in the league set him apart as one of the greatest goalies of all time. With the modern emphasis on load management and goaltender tandems, it’s unlikely that we’ll see another goalie come close to Brodeur’s record.
In a sport as fast-paced and physically demanding as hockey, records are a way to immortalize the greatest players of each generation. While some records may be broken eventually, there are certain milestones that stand as a testament to the skill, dedication, and sheer talent of the players who set them. As fans, we can only marvel at the incredible feats of Gretzky, Orr, Brodeur, and other hockey legends, knowing that their records may never be surpassed.