Wayne Gretzky retired from the NHL in 1999. His final season was 1998–99, ending a 20-season NHL career that established him as hockey’s all-time leading scorer.
Gretzky announced his retirement after the New York Rangers’ final game of the season. That game took place on April 18, 1999, at Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers lost 2–1 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gretzky recorded an assist on New York’s only goal, giving him a final NHL point.
By the time he retired, Gretzky held 61 NHL records, including marks for career goals, assists, and points. He had also won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and played for the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Rangers.
A common mix-up is confusing his retirement year with 2000, when the NHL retired his number 99 league-wide at the All-Star Game. That ceremony honored his career but occurred after he had stopped playing.