This 9 x 12 photo, framed to 12 x 15, shows Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri skating in the 1989 All Star Game in Edmonton. This was Gretzky's first All Star Game following his trade from the Oilers to the Kings and it coincidentally took place at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. It also happens to be the first time that Gretzky and Kurri were reunited as teammates following the trade. The photo has been beautifully signed by both Wayne and Jari in black sharpie.
Gretzky is considered to be the greatest hockey player of all time. His career achievements do nothing to dispel those opinions. He is the record holder in more categories than there is room to list. Some of his more important accomplishments are: All-time leader in regular season goals 894, assists 1963, points 2857, playoff goals 122, playoff assists 260 and playoff points 382. He holds the single season marks for goals 92, assists 163 and points 215. His trophy case includes 4 Stanley Cups, 5 Lady Byng Trophies for the combination of sportsmanship and high ability, 1 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States, 5 Lester B. Pearson awards as the NHL’s outstanding player, 10 Art Ross Trophies for leading the NHL in scoring, 2 Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP and 9 Hart Memorial Trophies as the league’s MVP. Gretzky was 15 times a 1st or 2nd team NHL All Star and played in 18 NHL All Star games. He proudly represented Team Canada in the 1981, 84, 87 and 91 Canada Cups, the 1996 World Cup and the Olympics. Immediately upon his retirement from hockey, the normal waiting period having been waived, Wayne was unanimously elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
It’s hard to believe that the first-born Hall of Famer from Finland lasted until the 4th round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. It was in that moment that the Oilers found the perfect compliment to play alongside Wayne Gretzky for the better part of the next decade. Kurri’s Hall of Fame career spanned 17 NHL seasons. The first 10 of those were spent in Edmonton where Jari went to 6 Stanley Cup Finals and walked away with 5 Stanley Cup rings. So great was his legacy in Edmonton, where he is 2nd in all-time points for an Oiler behind only Wayne Gretzky, that his number 17 was retired by the team. In 1251 career regular season games, Kurri netted 601 goals and added 797 helpers for a total of 1398 points. Kurri ranks 3rd on the all-time playoff scoring list with 233 points, trailing only his Edmonton teammates, Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Kurri won the 1985 Lady Byng Trophy and was 5 times a 1st or 2nd Team NHL All Star while also partaking in 8 NHL All Star games. On the international stage Kurri played in 2 Olympics, 3 Canada Cups, Rendezvous ’87, 4 World Championships and the World Cup of Hockey. To say he is revered in his native Finland would be an understatement, as he continues to support the country’s hockey programs to this day.
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