The Finnish Sandwich – Edmonton Oilers (1983-1988) Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky led this line, flanked on the wings by Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen. Kurri and Tikkanen both were from Finland, lending the line its unique nickname.
Did Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky play on the same line?
Messier rarely played on the same line as Gretzky. He was a great player but he would have been great regardless of the team he played on. He showed that after Gretzky was traded and the Oilers win their last Stanley Cup, and then again with the Rangers.
Who played on a line with Wayne Gretzky?
Gretzky spent the season on a line with Robitaille and Kurri; however, he was injured for much of the season. In 45 games played, he had 65 points. Kurri put up 87 points, and Robitaille led the line putting career highs in goals (63), assists (62) and points (125). In the first round of the playoffs, LA faced Calgary.
What did Edmonton get for Wayne Gretzky?
The deal was announced Aug. 9, 1988, 12 weeks after the Oilers closed out a four-game sweep of the Boston Bruins in the Cup Final. Gretzky, McSorley and center Mike Krushelnyski went to the Kings in exchange for center Jimmy Carson, wing Martin Gelinas, first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993, and $15 million.
Why did Edmonton trade Wayne Gretzky?
Shortly after winning the 1988 Stanley Cup, Gretzky was told by his father that the Oilers were looking to trade him. Pocklington’s business ventures weren’t doing well and he was in dire need of some cash. As a result, he was shopping Gretzky around with the demand of getting $15 million back in return.
Who were Wayne Gretzky’s linemates in Edmonton?
Esa Tikkanen—Wayne Gretzky—Jari Kurri (’86-87)
This trio would spend time together from Tikkanen’s arrival (’85-86) to the Gretzky sale (summer 1988) and were regular linemates in two seasons (1986 through 1988). The ’86-87 season saw Gretzky score 42 even strength goals, Kurri 37 and Tikkanen 27 for a total of 106.
Who is the closest to Gretzky in points?
The next closest player in total points for the regular season is Jaromir Jagr at 1,921, thus Gretzky had more career assists than any other player has total points.
Who was Gretzky’s favorite player?
Gordie Howe
Wayne Gretzky remembers his idol, the late Gordie Howe. Wayne Gretzky played 20 years of professional hockey in the National Hockey League, becoming the leading scorer in NHL history. My first great Christmas present was a Gordie Howe jersey. I’ve always said it, and I will say is again.
Who was the best player before Gretzky?
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Before Wayne Gretzky rolled around, Gordie Howe was and remains the only other play in NHL history to record 800-plus goals.
Who was Gretzky best man?
Eddie Mio
Eddie Mio, a goaltender, played 10 seasons of professional hockey, including 6 in the National Hockey League with Edmonton, New York, and Detroit. He was Wayne Gretzky’s best man at his wedding to Janet Jones. Mio was born in Windsor on January 31, 1954.
Did Edmonton win a Stanley Cup without Gretzky?
The Oilers defeated the Bruins in five games, and won their first Cup without Gretzky. For his superlative goaltending, Bill Ranford won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
How many Stanley Cups did Gretzky win in Edmonton?
four Stanley Cup victories
His contract soon was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, who joined the NHL at the beginning of the 1979–80 season. As centre and team captain, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories (in the 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, and 1987–88 seasons).
How many times did Gretzky get 200 points?
Gretzky, who amassed 200 or more points in a year four times during his career, accomplished this feat between the 1983-84 and 1985-86 seasons, when he recorded 205, 208, and 215 points, respectively.
Who won the Gretzky trade?
Winner: Mark Messier
Wayne Gretzky leaving Edmonton made the Oilers Mark Messier’s team. The superstar forward was a major contributor to the team’s success during the 1980s when he helped Gretzky win four Stanley Cups from 1983 through 1988.
What side did Gretzky tuck his jersey?
right side
The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, started tucking his jersey in on the right side when he was just six years old. The prodigy was playing up, as he did throughout his amateur career, on a team of 10-year olds, in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario.
What is the biggest trade in NHL history?
There’s no doubt that the mammoth 1988 deal that sent Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles is the biggest (and most controversial) trade in NHL history.
Who was Gretzky’s enforcer with Edmonton?
An acknowledged enforcer, Semenko was Wayne Gretzky’s “on-ice bodyguard” early in Gretzky’s career in Edmonton, beginning in the WHA in 1978 and ending when Semenko was traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1986. Semenko is considered one of the toughest players ever in the NHL.
Who were Wayne Gretzky’s enforcers?
Semenko was Gretzky’s bodyguard in the rink for parts of 10 seasons with the Oilers, first in the World Hockey Association and then in the National Hockey League, which the Oilers joined in 1979 when the leagues merged. He helped Edmonton win the Stanley Cup in 1984 and 1985.
Who did Edmonton draft with the Gretzky picks?
The Oilers’ first actual draft choice that resulted from the Gretzky trade was the 20th overall pick in 1991, which Edmonton used to take Martin Rucinsky.
How many times did Wayne Gretzky score 70?
Four times, Gretzky scored 70 or more goals, twice 80 or more and once he scored more than 90. With players barely hitting 50 or more goals, there is no way that any player could ever top those statistics.
Who was the fastest to 500 points in the NHL?
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is fastest, reaching 500 points in 234 games, and Mario Lemieux is second at 287 games. Former Oilers forward Jari Kurri is sixth at 356 games, behind Peter Stastny (322), Mike Bossy (349) and Eric Lindros (352).