Wednesday 14 October 2015

On This Day in Hockey: 1979

October 14, 1979
Wayne Gretzky scored his first NHL goal. It was a power-play goal with 69 seconds left in the game to give Edmonton a 4-4 tie with Vancouver. Gretzky actually fanned on his backhand shot, but the puck dribbled between the legs of goalie Glen Hanlon.

         Yesterday, Connor McDavid scored his first career NHL goal. One day off of Wayne Gretzky's first goal day. On October 15th, 1989, Wayne Gretzky passed Gordie Howe for the most points in a career. Today in 1970, Wayne Gretzky scored his first goal. It was the first of many, 894 to be exact. 
After "The Trade", Gretzky broke the goal-scoring record and got his 2000th point with the LA Kings.

I'm not sure how much I need to say about The Great One. He finished his incredible career with 2857 points, including 1963 assists. 
Hey, let's not forget the guy who started this whole thing: Glen Hanlon. The Canucks goalie who let in Gretzky's "weak" first goal. Let's read about Hanlon on the back of this card:
Okay, so he's Detroit's best goalie... Vancouver draft pick... allowed Gretzky's first goal....Oh and look at that!
"I created a monster." Well that is one of the best quotes I have seen on a hockey card. Poor Glen Hanlon.

Thanks for reading and keep updated for more hockey card posts!


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