[186] Gretzky was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. The family regularly visited the farm of Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, and watched Hockey Night in Canada together. Wayne Gretzky Wikipedia. [16] On the backyard rink, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum", winter was total hockey immersion with Walter as mentor-teacher as well as teammate. The 205-pound (93kg) Potvin, a three-time winner of the Norris Trophy for best defenceman, added that part of the problem in hitting Gretzky hard was that he was "a tough guy to dislike what was there to hate about Gretzky? [151] He cultivated a love of hockey in his sons and provided them with a backyard rink and drills to enhance their skills. [286], In May 2021, one of his 1979 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards sold for $3.75million in a private sale.[287]. [278] Gretzky was named the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1985 and 1988, receiving the Conn Smythe Trophy. "Gretzky uses this room to insert an extra beat into his actions. One of the rumored reasons that trade happened is . [132] The game went to a shootout with a 11 tie after overtime, but Gretzky was controversially not selected by coach Marc Crawford as one of the five shooters, all of whom failed to score. Gretzky's professional relationship with Keenan was thus never particularly warm, and the coach's public rebukes effectively ended any realistic prospect of Gretzky remaining in St. Louis once he became a free agent. [93] The Kings got off to their best start ever, winning four straight en route to qualifying for the playoffs. Gretzky continued doing this throughout his NHL career. [154] In his autobiography, he wrote: All I wanted to do in the winters was be on the ice. Some say I have a "sixth sense" Baloney. "[164] His stamina is also indicated by the fact that Gretzky often scored late in the game. I don't care if you're Carl Lewis, you can't outskate that little black thing. Wayne Gretzky said in a social media post Thursday night that his father battled Parkinson's . Gretzky explains his style of play further: People think that to be a good player you have to pick the puck up, deke around ninety-three guys and take this ungodly slap shot. "Absolutely", Gretzky said. [5] Despite his unimpressive size and strength, Gretzky's intelligence, stamina, and reading of the game were unrivaled. [206] He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 Ice Hockey World Championships, but declined due to his mother's poor health. [285] The Edmonton Minor Hockey Association also has an award named for Gretzky. Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC (/rtski/ GRET-skee; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. The Trade, as it is known in all sports circles, was the deal that sent Wayne Gretzky from Edmonton to Los Angeles just after the Oilers won another Stanley Cup. However, Gretzky denied that he had any exotic innate abilities. The athlete gene is certainly present in the Gretzky family. [130], The 1991 Canada Cup marked the last time the tournament was played under the "Canada Cup" moniker. Gretzky represented the Blues in the game, which his team won 87. After winning the first game of the series by a score of 41, the team lost the next three games in overtime, and then fell 41 in the deciding fifth game, where Gretzky failed to get a shot on net. The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat . Despite frigid temperatures, the crowd numbered 57,167, with an additional several million watching the game on television. "[167] Gretzky adroitly applied this technique as a professional player, avoiding checks with such skill that a rumour circulated that there was an unwritten rule not to hit him. He never looked back smashing records with ease throughout his legendary career. (Nathan Denette/AP) Article. [216], In October 2016, Gretzky returned to the Oilers as a partner and vice-chairman of the team's parent company, Oilers Entertainment Group, to work closely with owner Daryl Katz and Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson on the business side of the Oilers' operation.[217]. [34], One of the highlights of Gretzky's season was his appearance in the 1979 WHA All-Star Game. [163] He consistently scored last in strength tests among the Edmonton Oilers, bench pressing only 140 pounds (64kg). The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen . He was unsuccessful both times. Gretzky captured nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player, 10 Art Ross Trophies for most points in a season, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP and five Lester B. Pearson Awards (now called the Ted Lindsay Award) for most outstanding player as judged by his peers. You saw him but when you reached out to grab him your hands felt nothing, maybe just a chill." Dustin Johnson's wife, Paulina Gretzky, has been a staple at his golf events, on the PGA Tour and now LIV Golf along with their two children, Tatum Gretzky Johnson and River Jones Johnson. He scored 37points in 31games for the team in the regular season and the playoffs,[64] and the Blues came within one game of the Conference Finals. so golf is kind of part of the family. Him: "Which way?" Walter Gretzky father of hockey hall-of-famer Wayne Gretzky waves to fans as the Buffalo Sabres play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. [247] Forbes estimates that Gretzky made US$93.8million from 1990 to 1998. 10 Canadians Who Became Americans", "Paulina Gretzky Engaged To PGA Star Dustin Johnson", "The Front Row With Bruce Bourquin: June 13, 2014", "Al Gretzky enters London West by-election race", "London West breaks Liberal stronghold as NDP win projected", "Walter Gretzky, father of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, dies at 82", "Rocket Men: The far-out (but true) story of the '91 Argos", "Toronto Argonauts sold for $4.7 million", "Gretzky, Candy to get names etched on Grey Cup", "Honus Wagner card sells for record $2.8M", "Gretzky A Great One Among Thoroughbred Owners, Too", "Gretzky will work closer with Hespeler Hockey", "Gretzky Ranks Among Elite In Arena of Endorsements", "Hockey Great Wayne Gretzky and First Team Sports Partner in Hockey Equipment Company", "Wayne Gretzky Takes the Ice With 989 Sports for Signature Hockey Franchise", "Wayne Gretzky's Toronto Celebrates 25 Years of Greatness", "Meet the Hockey Canada Foundation Board of Directors", "55 shades of Great: Random facts about Wayne Gretzky on his 55th birthday", "Last call at Wayne Gretzky's sports bar in Toronto after 27 years", "Wayne Gretzky to open restaurant at Edmonton International Airport", "Nick Lees: Don Metz in spotlight as Wayne Gretzky opens new restaurant in Rogers Place", "Release: Studio 99 opens in Rogers Place October 18", "Gretzky: An Autobiography By Wayne Gretzky with Rick Reilly (HarperCollins: $19.95; 258 pp. I didn't desert my country. For other people with the same name and other uses, see, Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 17:34, Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, List of career achievements by Wayne Gretzky, National Hockey League Players' Association, "Wayne Gretzky finally explains meaning behind 'The Great One' nickname", "University of Alberta: Honorary Degree Recipients (20002007)", "NHL Records Held or Shared by Wayne Gretzky", "Wayne Gretzky: 100 Greatest NHL Players", "Gretzky trade remembered for 'seismic impact', "Top Ten Greatest Canadians Wayne Gretzky", "Tournoi pee-wee de Qubec: plusieurs lgendes ont jou Qubec", "Gretzky, only 16, carries a 'Gold-Orr' label", "Mutual Admiration: Howe Backs Gretzky's Attack on His Scoring Record", "99 Reasons Why Wayne Gretzky is 'The Great One', "Gretzky, scoring three goals, sets season record at 79", "A look at Canadian Press Newsmakers of the Year", "Kings Pay King's Ransom for Hockey Great Gretzky", "Governor General announces 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada", "NHL & WHA Yearly Leaders and Records for Goals", "Can't get next to you, babe: Tony La Russa was part of the", "The 10 best player-inspired NHL rules changes", "Revolutionary Moments in Sports: The Gretzky Rule", "20 Years Ago: Gretzky Deal Shocked the Hockey World", "25-for-25: Gretzky records that will live on", "Gretzky Helped Put Hockey On Map In U.S.", "Rangers' Surprising Run Comes to a Finish", "No C and No A for Gretzky. This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31million loan with the Alberta government-owned Alberta Treasury Branches. In June 1978, he signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA), where he briefly played before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Walter worked at Bell Telephone Canada and owned an apartment in Brantford, where the family lived. He left in 2021 to become an analyst on Turner Sports' NHL coverage. Perched on the crest of a hill with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Santa Monica Mountains and Lake . [60] That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Together, they have two children, Tatum and River Johnson. "[82], At the same time, Gretzky recognized the contributions of their coach in the success of the Oilers: "Under the guidance of Glen Sather, our Oiler teams became adept at generating speed, developing finesse, and learning a transition game with strong European influences."[83]. Wayne Gretzky: Family and Education. [56] This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. While they were using all this energy trying to rattle his teeth, he was just skating away, circling, analyzing things."[140]. Trucking magnate and Arizona Diamondbacks part-owner Jerry Moyes was added to the partnership. . He knew he wasn't big enough, strong enough, or even fast enough to do what he wanted to do if others focused on him. [193] Ultimately, Gretzky agreed to become head coach on August 8, 2005. [56] He won his second straight Hart Trophy. . Winding up for the slapshot, he will stop for an almost imperceptible moment at the top of his arc, like a golfer with a rhythmic swing." The Edmonton alumni won the Megastars game 20,[215] while Montreal went on to win the regular season game held later that day, 43.
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