Gretzky’s Assists Stand Him Alone

Mon., Oct. 27, 1997

Associated Press

Around the NHL

If he had never scored a single NHL goal - let alone his all-time record 866 of them - Wayne Gretzky would now top the career points list with just his assists.

The New York Rangers superstar notched his 1,851st assist Sunday night in New York’s 3-3 tie with Anaheim, passing Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe’s point total of 1,850.

Gretzky assisted on a goal by Niklas Sundstrom at 12:14 of the second period for his 1,850th assist, then at 32 seconds of the third period, assisted on a goal by Ulf Samuelsson for his milestone.

Lightning fire coach, lose

Concerned by listless play that showed no sign of ending, the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday fired Terry Crisp, the only coach the franchise ever had, and replaced him on an interim basis with assistant Rick Paterson.

Crisp’s six-year tenure with the same team was the longest of any current NHL coach.

The dismissal followed days of speculation and came with Tampa Bay mired in a seven-game (0-6-1) winless streak that dropped the Lightning (2-7-2) into last place in the Eastern Conference.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Gretzky’s Assists Stand Him Alone

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Updated: Mariners’ Cole Young, Josh Naylor deliver big hits in extra-innings win

Updated: Kevin Fitzer, Max Belyeu hit back-to-back homers, Spokane Indians down Everett 4-1 on opening day | NWL baseball

Updated: WSU star guard Ace Glass to enter the transfer portal