Wayne Gretzky became the NHL's all-time points leader 25 years ago, breaking his idol Gordie Howe's record on October 15, 1989. Howe's record was forged over a quarter-century long career and thought to be unbreakable by many. But the 28-year-old Gretzky only needed 11 years in the NHL to surpass Howe's mark of 1,850 combined goals and assists. Gretzky set the mark on a return to his former home in Edmonton, after the Oilers had traded him to the Los Angeles Kings a year before.

In a truly bizarre spectacle, Oilers fans cheered deliriously when Gretzky, back in their arena in an opposing uniform, scored a tying goal with under a minute to play. Their team had lost the lead, and would lose the game in overtime on a goal by…who else? But the Edmonton crowd gave Gretzky a three-minute ovation for what he had done for them and the game. Gretzky had been so beloved in Edmonton that at least one Canadian politician had tried to block the trade to Los Angeles a year earlier.

Gretzky spent another decade adding to his stats, before retiring with the New York Rangers in 1999. Fifteen years later, he still holds at least 60 NHL records. He ended his career with 2,857 points. His assists total alone (1,963) is more than any other player in NHL history has points, which means all else being equal, he could have taken Howe's points record without scoring a single goal.

Post-retirement, Gretzky has racked up a slew of movie and TV appearances, and dipped into multiple business ventures, hockey-related and otherwise. He coached the Phoenix Coyotes for four seasons while serving as part-owner of the team. He owns a restaurant named after him in Toronto, and has invested in sports equipment manufacturing and roller hockey rink operation companies. He and his wife Janet have been married 26 years and have five kids.

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