Gretzky was named by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, but his place in history was assured two years later by the sport’s ruling body, which decided Gretzky had been too young to be eligible for consideration.
On Thursday night, Gretzky’s latest accolade was secured when the Hockey Hall of Fame voted him into the Class of 2020.
A record 832 voters were asked to back Gretzky, a list which included seven of the hockey club Gretzky captained, three of the NHL all-time goal-scoring leaders, and one of hockey’s all-time best goaltenders.
Gretzky’s induction in 2020 follows that of former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in 2011 and Pavel Bure in 2013.
Past inductees in the Class of 2020
Year Player YZ
2004 Carolina Hurricanes Joe Juneau
2005 Minnesota Wild Bob Mason
2006 Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman
2007 Anaheim Ducks Mark Recchi
2008 Philadelphia Flyers Bobby Clarke
2009 Chicago Blackhawks Eddie Shack
2010 Minnesota Wild Glenn Anderson
2011 Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman
2012 Pittsburgh Penguins Gretzky
2013 Washington Capitals Pavel Bure