Mikita, Gretzky crossed paths early in Great One's NHL career Wayne Gretzky remembers his first encounter with Stan Mikita, a two-time Hart Trophy winner and Hockey Hall of Fame member who died Tuesday at the age of 78. "I think he was one of my dad's favorite players," Gretzky said at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Wednesday. "So the very first game I played, the first face-off I got to go against Stan Mikita, so I thought that was pretty cool." Gretzky made his NHL debut Oct. 10, 1979, for the Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Stadium against the Chicago Blackhawks. Gretzky, 18 at the time, and Mikita, who was 39, each had an assist in Chicago's 4-2 win. Mikita played his entire 22-season NHL career with the Blackhawks and is their all-time leader in points (1,467; 14th in NHL history), assists (926; 18th) and games played (1,396; 40th). Mikita was third on the NHL all-time scoring list when he retired after the 1979-80 season. "Obviously, it's a sad day for his family, teammates, people that knew him, and the fans in Chicago," Gretzky said. "He just was a special guy, and not too many guys in the game of hockey have had the most penalty minutes and then won the Lady Byng [Trophy], and then won the scoring race and the Hart Trophy, so good on him. He was great for our sport, and he was innovative and was probably a big part to bringing the curved stick to hockey today. But most importantly, he was very much liked by his teammates and had a tremendous family." Gretzky went on to have 137 points (51 goals, 86 assists) in 1979-80, tied with Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings for most in the NHL, and win the first of eight Hart trophies as NHL MVP. Gretzky was asked if he patterned himself after Mikita at all. "No, I couldn't wear the helmet. It looked too heavy," Gretzky said. "And the stick had too big of a curve." Gretzky recalled Mikita was as difficult to beat on the golf course as he was on the ice. "I played golf with him a couple of times, and he was one of the great golfers, as a hockey player," Gretzky said. "He was like a 1 handicap. I played with him in Chicago at Medinah one year. I must have shot close to 100, and I think he had 71 or 72. It was pretty embarrassing."