Wayne Gretzky, often called "The Great One," retired from the NHL in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of records that have stood the test of time. Even now, more than a quarter-century after his departure, Gretzky continues to hold or share 55 NHL records. While Alexander Ovechkin recently surpassed Gretzky's record for most regular season goals on April 6, 2025, many of Gretzky's other accomplishments appear insurmountable. Here are nine of the most unbreakable records held by Wayne Gretzky:

1. Most Career Points (2,857): Gretzky amassed 2,857 points in his NHL career, a staggering 970 points more than the second-highest scorer, Mark Messier, who played 269 more games. To put this in perspective, to break Gretzky's record, a player would need to average 130 points for 22 straight seasons.
2. Most Assists in a Career (1,963): Gretzky not only leads in total points but also has more assists than any other player has total points.
3. Most Goals in a Season (92): During the 1981-82 season, Gretzky set the record for the most goals in a single season with 92, surpassing Phil Esposito's previous record.
4. Most Assists in a Season (163): In the 1985-86 season, Gretzky recorded an astounding 163 assists, a total that even he never surpassed again, with his second-highest assist total being 135.
5. Most Points in a Season (215): Also in 1985-86, Gretzky achieved 215 points, making him the sole NHL player to exceed 200 points in a single season. He accomplished this feat four times in his career.
6. Most Hart Trophies (9): Gretzky won the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player, nine times, all within the first ten years of his career.
7. Most Art Ross Trophies (10): Gretzky also holds the record for the most Art Ross Trophies, awarded to the NHL's leading point scorer in a single season.
8. 50 Goals in 39 Games: During the 1981-82 season, Gretzky achieved the remarkable feat of scoring 50 goals in just 39 games. Gretzky himself has stated that this is his favorite record and believes it will be the most difficult to break.
9. 51-Game Point Scoring Streak: Gretzky holds the record for the longest consecutive point-scoring streak, achieving at least one point in 51 straight games.

The game has evolved since Gretzky's era. Today's hockey is faster, more defensive, and scoring is more difficult. Goalies are bigger, more athletic, and use larger equipment, leaving shooters with less space to aim at. Rule changes favor offensive players more than ever before. Despite these changes, Gretzky's records remain a testament to his unparalleled skill, intelligence, and dominance in the sport.