Gretzky will finish career in New York

Archived from 1997-98 season.
Edmonton, Los Angeles, St.Louis and New York, those have been the stops on Wayne Gretzky's professional hockey career. There will not be another stop. The NHL's all-time leading scorer, has signed a contract extension with the New York Rangers that will allow him to finish his career with the team, the Rangers said Thursday.

NYR

"We are thrilled to be fortunate enough to have the greatest player in the history of the National Hockey League as a member of the New York Rangers," team president and general manager Neil Smith said during a news conference at Madison Square Garden. "Today's exciting announcement ensures that Rangers fans will continue to have the privilege of watching him perform on a regular basis for the rest of his career."

Details of the contract were not released, but New York media reported that the extension will keep Gretzky with the Rangers at least two more seasons. He will reportedly earn about $6.5 million this season and $5 million in 1998-99.

Gretzky started his career in Edmonton, where he helped the Oilers to win four Stanley Cups. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, in a blockbuster deal involving several players, first-round draft picks and $ millions in cash. He played with the Kings for almost nine seasons, reaching the finals in 1992-93, before being traded to St.Louis in February 1996 for four players and a first round draft pick.

However, Gretzky's stay in St.Louis didn't last long. After failing to reach a deal with the Blues during the summer, Gretzky signed a contract with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent.

Gretzky owns countless NHL records, he has been selected the league MVP many times and has won the scoring title 10 times.

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