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Wayne Gretzky may be gone from the NHL, but as he turns 50, he's certainly not forgotten);John Kreiser - NHL.com ColumnistWho's the best player to wear No. 1? 4? 9? NHL.com takes a look at hockey's greatest players by the numbers they wore.RELATED STORIES: Gretzky's amazing feats may never be topped Spectrum demolition a bittersweet day in Philly Remembering the NHL's wildest dayNHL.COM football history HISTORY ARCHIVE -The NHL had always had great players, but Gretzky became hockey's first cross-over star -- a player whose celebrity extended well beyond what he did on the ice.Gretzky's marriage to Janet Jones in the summer of 1988 was the wedding of the century in Canada. The Oilers' decision to trade him to Los Angeles in August 1988 nearly was a national day of mourning in Canada, but turned o football history ut to be one of the most important events in NHL history. Not only did Gretzky turn the Kings into the hottest ticket in L.A. (and get them to their first and only Stanley Cup Final, in 1993), he triggered a hockey boom in California and other non-traditional markets that is yielding a growing crop of young talent -- not to mention the existence of franchises in cities that likely never would have football history had them if not for No. 99.Two players from California were taken in the first round of the 2010 Entry Draft last June -- a draft held in Los Angeles -- part of a wave of young talent coming from areas that were hockey deserts until Gretzky came along.-This is kind of the result of that Wayne Gretzky to L.A. trade and we're reaping the rewards from that now,- Detroit Red Wings Assistant General M football history anager Jim Nill told NHL.com during the 2010 Research, Development and Orientation Camp Fueled by G Series. -It just shows that if you have a good product in an area, even though it might not be a solid hockey market, you can groom hockey players. We're starting to see that in California and Texas.-For now, Gretzky is enjoying the role of proud father -- he and Janet have five children -- while li football history ving in Los Angeles. But regardless of whether he has an official role with the NHL or a team, he'll always be the face of hockey to millions. And he'll always be -The Great One.--As dominant as he was on the ice, Wayne was an even-better ambassador for our game and our League wherever he went,- Commissioner Gary Bettman said. -He amazed the fans on the ice and connected with them off it, an ultim football history ate combination of elegance, skill and class. On the occasion of his 50th birthday, the National Hockey League sends him its congratulations, its appreciation and its thanks.-As for the Great One himself, he says the years have flown by.-It feels like yesterday that I was tying up my skates sitting in a locker room at an All-Star Game next to Gordie Howe,- Gretzky told NHL Live! on Tuesday, one da football history y before turning 50. -I was 17 and Gordie Howe was 50 at that time. I remember looking at him and thinking, 'Oh my goodness, 50 years old?' and here it is years later. My grandmother used to always say, 'Time flies when you're having fun and life is good.' I feel fortunate that life has been pretty good to me and I had the privilege of playing in the NHL and the game seems to be getting better eve football history ry year.-NHL.com correspondent Robin Brownlee contributed to this story football history
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