Rare Photos of Wayne Gretzky

At age nine, Wayne Gretzky was a youth hockey phenomenon in Canada. As he progressed quickly from level to level and dominated against much older players, some newspapers called him "the next Bobby Orr" for his speed and skill. Gretzky would go on to break the great Gordie Howe's career mark of 801 goals on March 23, 1994 and retire in 1999, after 20 NHL seasons, with 2,857 career points -- 1,007 more than Howe recorded during his storied 26-year NHL career.

The future Great One laced up his first pair of skates and spent countless hours on a rink built by his father in the backyard of their home in Brantford, Ontario. By the age of five, Wayne was competing against kids who were 10 or 11 years old.

At age 11, Gretzky was running wild in his Pee Wee league in Brantford. Nicknamed for his white gloves and speed, he scored 378 goals ... in one season. In one game, he potted three in 45 seconds. "He would never come off the ice," recalls SI.com's Darren Eliot, who played against Gretzky in the same league. "He moved to defense instead of actually taking a break on the bench."

By age 14, the curly-topped phenom was a target of resentful parents in Brantford, some of whom cheered when he was injured during a game, so he moved to Toronto to play minor hockey for the Nationals.

Gretzky, 17, scored 70 goals and 182 points in 63 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Junior A Ontario Hockey Association and was the youngest player on Team Canada at the 1978 World Junior Championship in Quebec City. (He lead all scorers with eight goals and nine assists in six games.) Despite his prowess and uncanny on-ice sense and vision, some scouts feared he would be too small to play in the NHL.

Gretzky lived with a local family while he played in Sault St. Marie, Ontario. Here, the 17-year-old enjoys a neighborhood game of street hockey.

The teen phenom, seen here in his room at the Bodner family's house in Sault Ste.Marie, tried to keep up with his schoolwork as a pro career loomed.

Obviously partial to the progressive sounds of Styx, the 17-year-old Gretzky spun some hot wax on his stereo in the Bodner family's house in Sault Ste. Marie.

The future Great One grabs some grub at a McDonald's in Sault Ste. Marie.

The teen star signs autographs for fans before a game against the Hamilton Fincups. Later that year, he began his pro career by signing a personal services contract with the owner of the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association, the NHL's rival. The NHL draft age was 20, and Gretzky, then 17, wanted to turn pro without having to spend another three years in juniors.

Gretzky had played only eight games for Indianapolis when the team folded. He was sold to the WHA's Edmonton Oilers, with whom he signed a 21-year contract worth $1 million per season on his 18th birthday. The Oilers were absorbed by the NHL later that year and Gretzky's accomplishments and legend would reach unprecedented heights.

Only four years into his pro career, Gretzky had put his hometown on the map.

Gretzky and the Oilers quickly became a force. Here, he playfully interviews two of his most notable teammates -- future Hall of Famers Paul Coffey and Mark Messier.

The Oilers reached their first Stanley Cup Final, only to be swept by the four-time defending champion New York Islanders. Gretzky congratulated Islanders GM Bill Torrey, who told him, "Don't worry, kid. You'll be back next year." Torrey was right. In 1984, Gretzky and the Oilers dethroned the Isles in five games.

One of the perks of fame is you get to hobnob with models. Here, Gretzky schmoozes with Cheryl Tiegs during his charity tennis tournament.

Mr Bubble: The Great One parades through the Oilers' dressing room. By that time, he was routinely shattering scoring marks and his Oilers were becoming a dynasty that would win four Stanley Cups in five years.

Gretzky married actress Janet Jones on July 16, 1988 in a ceremony that was tantamount to a Royal Wedding.

Gretzky's trade from the Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings in August 1988 was a landmark event for hockey in the United States. The Great One was welcomed to L.A. by Lakers superstar Magic Johnson.

By 1997, Gretzky had moved on to the New York Rangers after a brief stay with St. Louis. This is a New York Daily News archive photo of the Great One and his family: wife Janet and their kids Trevor, Pauline and Ty.

The Great One and his wife Janet graced the 1998 Sports Illustraded swimsuit issue.