The date was February 27, 1996.

The Blues press release released on that date is reproduced (in part) above.

Was it really just three short years ago that Wayne Gretzky wore the Bluenote?

Heck, even the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission issued a press release when the Blues acquired Wayne Gretzky--"St. Louis Welcomes West Coast Additions" was the headline.

Now Wayne Gretzky has announced his retirement.

And his time as a Blue is viewed as little more than a footnote in a remarkable professional hockey career that began in 1977, where Gretzky was a member of the WHA's Indianapolis Racers.

One of Gretzky's most remarkable records? In 1984-85, the Great One's +/- figures came to an astonishing +96 (still an NHL record).

Teammate Mark Messier, acknowledged to be a better all-around hockey player than Gretzky, managed but a +8 during that same season.

Wayne Gretzky. One of a kind.

And for a while...a Blue.