<P> In 1997, prior to his retirement, The Hockey News named a committee of 50 hockey experts (former NHL players, past and present writers, broadcasters, coaches and hockey executives) to select and rank the 50 greatest players in NHL history . The experts voted Gretzky number one . Gretzky said he would have voted Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe as the best of all time . </P> <P> The 1998--99 season was his last as a professional player . He reached one milestone in this last season, breaking the professional total (regular season and playoffs) goal - scoring record of 1,071, which had been held by Gordie Howe . Gretzky was having difficulty scoring this season and finished with only nine goals, contributing to this being the only season in which he failed to average at least a point per game, but his last goal brought his scoring total for his combined NHL / WHA career to 1,072, one more than Howe . As the season wound down, there was media speculation that Gretzky would retire, but he refused to announce his retirement . His last NHL game in Canada was on April 15, 1999, a 2--2 tie with the Ottawa Senators and the Rangers' second - to - last game of the season . Following the contest, in a departure from the usual three stars announcement, Gretzky was awarded all three stars . Upon returning to New York, Gretzky announced he would retire after the Rangers' last game of the season . </P> <P> The final game of Gretzky's career was a 2--1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999, in Madison Square Garden . Although the game involved two American teams, both national anthems were played, with the lyrics slightly adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure . In place of the lyrics "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", Bryan Adams ad - libbed, "We're going to miss you, Wayne Gretzky". "The Star - Spangled Banner", as sung by John Amirante, was altered to include the words "in the land of Wayne Gretzky". Gretzky ended his career with a final point, assisting on the lone New York goal scored by Brian Leetch . At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second - to - last WHA player still active in professional hockey . Mark Messier, who attended the game along with other representatives of the Edmonton Oilers' dynasty, was the last . </P> <P> Gretzky told journalist Scott Morrison that the final game of his career was his greatest day . He recounted: </P>

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