Widely considered to be one of the greatest hockey players of all time, he . He won a record nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Both McNall and Pocklington quickly agreed. He is in the NHL Hall of Fame, and is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players ever. "[158] His weight was 160 pounds (73kg), compared to the NHL average of 189 pounds (86kg) at that time. . [18] According to Martin, "Wayne was so good that you could have a boy of your own who was a tremendous hockey player, and he'd get overlooked because of what the Gretzky kid was doing. Posted . Sometimes he will release the puck before he appears to be ready, threading the pass through a maze of players precisely to the blade of a teammate's stick, or finding a chink in a goaltender's armour and slipping the puck into it before the goaltender is ready to react. She and Johnson posed beside her father Wayne and mom Janet, while their two boys sat beneath them in the cutest . Using this approach, the Oilers, led by Gretzky, became the highest-scoring team in NHL history. "[91] After the 198889 season, a life-sized bronze statue of Gretzky was erected outside Northlands Coliseum, holding the Stanley Cup over his head. Wayne Gretzky net worth: What was his highest salary and which NHL team Nicknamed "the Great One",[1] he has been called the greatest hockey player ever by many sportswriters, players, The Hockey News, and by the NHL itself,[2] based on extensive surveys of hockey writers, ex-players, general managers and coaches. [192], In 2005, rumours began circulating that Gretzky was about to name himself head coach of the Coyotes, but were denied by Gretzky and the team. [16] Wayne was a classic prodigy whose extraordinary skills made him the target of jealous parents. [79], Gretzky had a major influence on the style of play of the Edmonton Oilers and in the NHL as a whole, helping to inspire a more team-based strategy. [16] Additionally, Walter gave the advice to "skate where the puck's going, not where it's been". In 1990, the Associated Press named Gretzky Male Athlete of the Decade. The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat . After she said, "Yes," a banner flew by that read . Wayne Gretzky - Ethnicity of Celebs | EthniCelebs.com 6 embarrassing things Wayne Gretzky wants you to forget Now he was in Indy, taking some classes at Broad Ripple High School, living with a family in the Brookshire development in Carmel. [96] For the second year in a row, the Kings eliminated the defending champions in the first round when they defeated the Flames in six games, but also for the second year in a row their season ended in a second round sweep, this time at the hands of Gretzky's former team. [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. [199], Gretzky was executive director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He left behind his five adult children and 13 grandchildren. Walter Gretzky had been an outstanding Junior B hockey player. [209] During the Games' opening ceremony, Gretzky, basketball player Steve Nash, skier Nancy Greene, and speed skater Catriona Le May Doan jointly lit the Olympic cauldron inside the ceremony venue of BC Place. [65] "The Trade", as it came to be known,[89] upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party House Leader Nelson Riis demanded the government block it,[90] and Pocklington was burned in effigy outside Northlands Coliseum. Paulina Gretzky rocks sparkly look at dad Wayne's birthday party [204] The Canadian team won the gold medal, its first in 50years. Gretzky's wedding to the then-Janet Jones was . A video tribute toward the end of the service included pictures from the early days on the backyard rink, Wayne's triumphs, Walter on the ice teaching kids, the Gretzky memorabilia in the family . "Gretzky" redirects here. Wayne Gretzky (@waynegretzky) Instagram photo. The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20, but the WHA had no rules regarding such signings. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a press conference, frustrated with media and fan comments regarding his team's uninspiring 111 start. 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. [119] Upon returning to New York, Gretzky announced he would retire after the Rangers' last game of the season. [129] In the deciding game three, Gretzky and Lemieux once again combined for the game-winner. [164] History repeated itself in June 2011, when Gretzky's 17-year-old son, Trevor, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. [286], In May 2021, one of his 1979 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards sold for $3.75million in a private sale.[287]. 99. [231] Ty played hockey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's,[232] but quit the sport, and attended Arizona State University. [72] The Oilers also won the Stanley Cup with Gretzky in 1985, 1987 and 1988. Wayne Gretzky - Age, Bio, Birthday, Family, Net Worth | National Today [171][172][173] The latter was traded with Gretzky in 1988 to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played the same policeman role for several more years. The couple married in 1960, and lived in an apartment in Brantford, where Walter worked for Bell Telephone Canada. lives with his family in . [249][250] Gretzky is a partner in First Team Sports, a maker of sports equipment and Worldwide Roller Hockey, Inc., an operator of roller hockey rinks. But as the series continued, his unique skills made him a team leader. [269], In 2003, while not criticizing Canada for declining to participate in the invasion of Iraq, Gretzky praised President of the United States, George W. Bush, and his handling of the conflict, saying: "the President of the United States is a great leader, I happen to think he's a wonderful man and if he believes what he's doing is right, I back him 100 per cent. One of the rumored reasons that trade happened is . Gretzky would later remark that the Soviet National Team's practice drills, which impressed Canada in 1972, had nothing new to offer him: "I'd been doing these drills since I was three. Walter Gretzky, father of hockey legend, dead at 82 | CTV News [121] "The Star-Spangled Banner", as sung by John Amirante, was altered to include the words "in the land of Wayne Gretzky". Me: "The guy he's passing to." Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC (/rtski/ GRET-skee; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. I got it from my Dad. [144] He had a fast and accurate shot. Emma Gretzky Family. Paulina Gretzky, Wayne's Daughter, announced on Instagram that her and PGA Tour golfer Dustin Johnson are expecting their second child. [198] The Coyotes' record at the end of the 200506 season was 38395, a 16-win improvement over 200304; they were 36365 in games Gretzky coached. Seven months later, Gretzky joined Team Canada for the 1982 World Championships in Finland. [29] It was with the Greyhounds that Gretzky first wore the number99 on his jersey. Wayne Gretzky remembers his father, Walter, as man with 'a heart of [163] He consistently scored last in strength tests among the Edmonton Oilers, bench pressing only 140 pounds (64kg). But I'm Canadian to the core. Wayne Gretzky rookie card sells for $3.75 million, shatters record for Wayne Gretzky is a famous former professional ice hockey player. Introduction. [271] Earlier in 2015, Gretzky endorsed Patrick Brown during his successful campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. [129] Playing on a line with Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Mario Lemieux, he recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games. Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. The Gretzkys bought it back in 2018 for $14.9 million and turned the stunning home back into a beautiful celebrity home (as Dykstra had reportedly trashed the mansion) and now it's back on the market for the princely sum of $22.9 million. [126] Canada nevertheless won in two games by scores of 41 and 42. Wayne Gretzky (@waynegretzky) Instagram photo. Things The Gretzky Family Wants You To Forget - TheSportster The event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1million. 9. However, Gretzky denied that he had any exotic innate abilities. Wayne Gretzky Wiki, Age, Height, Wife, Family - Famous People Wiki Then he'd shoot a puck along the boards and into the corner and then go chasing after it. Him: "If you get cut off, what are you gonna do?" The athlete gene is certainly present in the Gretzky family. Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card Sells For Record-Setting $3.75 Million [173][174] But Gretzky discouraged unfair hits in another way. It's like Larry Bird. Wayne Gretzky - Wikipedia Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, the son of Phyllis Leone (Hockin) and Walter Gretzky. He never looked back smashing records with ease throughout his legendary career. Gretzky accomplished the feat in only 39games. [92], The Kings named Gretzky their alternate captain. Brantford further inducted Gretzky into its "Walk of Fame" in 2004. [175] He stressed the need to play and practice hockey for the love of the game,[176] and felt that skill was more important to develop than talent and that Canada had the potential to be world leaders in skill development. The family regularly visited the farm of Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, and watched Hockey Night in Canada together. [43][44] Gretzky finished third in the league in scoring at 110points, behind Robbie Ftorek and Ral Cloutier. "[173], Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the Open Ice Summit, held in August 1999 to discuss ways to improve Canadian ice hockey. Wayne Gretzky: Family and Education. 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? [241] The club won the Grey Cup championship in the first year of the partnership, but struggled in the two following seasons, and the partnership sold the team before the 1994 season. Famed hockey dad Walter Gretzky remembered as family man, proud - CBC [189] The Coyotes were in the process of being sold and Ellman convinced Gretzky to come on board, averting a potential move to Portland, Oregon. "[143] In his first two seasons in the NHL, his deft passing skills helped earn him a reputation as an ace playmaker, and so opposing defencemen focused their efforts on foiling his attempts to pass the puck to other scorers. Dryden wrote in his book The Game, "In the past, defenders and teams had learned to devise strategies to stop opponents with the puck. Me: "Get over there and intercept it." [244] The pair also owned Thoroughbred race horses; one of them, Saumarez, won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1990. His 50th goal of the season came on December 30, 1981, in the final seconds of a 75 win against the Philadelphia Flyers and was his fifth of the game. Gretzky was named to the club on November 29, 1997. "If a guy ran him, Wayne would embarrass that guy", said former Oiler Lee Fogolin.