1961-
Hockey Superstar

The Great One.

No individual dominated his or her sport in the 1980s the way Wayne Gretzky dominated professional hockey. Regardless of how greatness is measured, whether in terms of individual accomplishments such as statistics and awards, team championships, or peer respect, Gretzky distanced himself from virtually everyone over the course of the decade. According to Gretzky, "the best players in hockey are the ones who make their teammates look good, the ones who make their teams win." By that standard, too, Gretzky was in extraordinarily select company, including such players as Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr, and Gordie Howe. Even such players as these are unstinting in their praise of the "Great One." "No one I have ever seen has been able to think like Wayne Gretzky can on ice. You can hone that talent by studying the game, but believe...