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50 goals in 39 games

Broadcast Date: Dec. 31, 1981

It is an incredible achievement. On Dec. 30, 1981, Gretzky scores on an empty net in the remaining seconds of the game against Philadelphia, handing the Oilers a 7-5 victory. It's his fifth goal of the game and, more astoundingly, his 50th goal of the season. Gretzky has done the impossible. He has eclipsed Montreal legend Maurice "Rocket" Richard's 36-year record of 50 goals in 50 games. Gretzky does it in 39 games and the world is stunned. But Gretzky, as heard in this CBC Radio clip, seems to be taking it all in stride.

50 goals in 39 games

• The first thing Wayne Gretzky did after scoring his 50th was call his father. Walter had no idea of his son's astonishing feat because the game in Edmonton wasn't televised back in Ontario. When Wayne told his dad about the record, Walter replied, "Geez, what took you so long?"

• Gretzky later called that night one of the greatest nights of his life. "The Great One" later went on to beat Phil Esposito's record of 76 goals in a single season, a record many said would be impossible to shatter. He did it against the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 24, 1982. He scored four goals that night, beating Buffalo 6-3. Phil Esposito was on hand to present Gretzky with the record-breaking puck. He eventually finished the season with an astounding record of 92 goals.

• Like many athletes, Gretzky is superstitious and meticulously followed certain rituals before every game. He'd get dressed exactly the same way every time. He put on his left shin pad, left outer pad, then right, same order, left sock, hockey sock, shin pad, then pants, then left skate, right skate, shoulder pads, then left elbow pad, right elbow pad, sweater, tuck the right side in, go out on the ice for warm-ups and then miss the first shot wide right.

• Gretzky wrote in Gretzky: An Autobiography that he is terrified of flying. He even went to a hypnotherapist and took mind-control classes in his unsuccessful attempts to get over his fear. Then a pilot snuck Gretzky into the cockpit and showed him how the buttons and gears worked. Gretzky said that it finally helped him feel better about being on a plane. Despite all that, he refuses to fly on Friday the 13th.

• Right before a game, Gretzky wrote in his autobiography, he used to "eat like a prisoner." He played best on four hot dogs with plenty of mustard and onions. For a game-day breakfast, he'd eat two or three scrambled eggs with bacon and whole-wheat toast. For lunch he'd chow down on steak or veal with some vegetables and then right before he went on the ice he'd have a sandwich, a milkshake and a big piece of pie.

• Gretzky has always worn very tight skates. He says it's because it gives him more control. He wears size 10 shoes but takes size 8½ skates. Gretzky's toes are double-jointed so he's able to curl them up inside his skates and not have the tight fit bother him.
• In 1982, Gretzky was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Gretzky said it was the award he cherished most because he'd beat out great athletes from all sports.

• In January 1982, Gretzky became the richest man in hockey. He signed a contract with the Edmonton Oilers worth $20 million over 15 years. The deal included an Edmonton shopping mall.

50 goals in 39 games

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC Radio News

Broadcast Date: Dec. 31, 1981

Guest(s): Mike Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, Walter Gretzky, Maurice Richard, Glen Sather

Announcer: Jan Tennant
Reporter: Mark Lee

Duration: 5:20

Last updated:
March 28, 2008