Photograph by Brian Lanker

"'Just look at him,' Bobby Hull says, grinning in admiration. 'The puck is glued to him. On the two teams, taking nothing away from the rest of the guys, who in the hell else out there do you want to look at but Gretzky?'"

Text by E.M. Swift
Issue Date: December 27, 1982

During the 1981-82 NHL season, 20-year-old Edmonton Oilers center Wayne Gretzky put together the greatest offensive season in the history of professional hockey. His 92 goals and 120 assists shattered the previous records (76 goals and his own total from the previous year of 109 assists) by a wide margin. The Great One also won his third consecutive MVP award in his third NHL season.