Wayne Gretzky, former National Hockey League player, speaks during the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series at The Show in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. . "[173], Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the Open Ice Summit, held in August 1999 to discuss ways to improve Canadian ice hockey. Wayne Douglas Gretzky is a renowned Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. 444. Wayne dropped off his daughter Emma at Court 8 in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. "Gretzky uses this room to insert an extra beat into his actions. Dan Robson. Me: "The guy he's passing to." [271] Earlier in 2015, Gretzky endorsed Patrick Brown during his successful campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. [14], Walter taught Wayne, Keith, Brent, Glen and their friends hockey on a rink he made in the back yard of the family home, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum". He said that many of his advantages were a result of his father's brilliant coaching. Despite being underdogs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division semifinals, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad, spearheading the Kings' return from a 31 series deficit to win the series 43. He was the son of Phyllis Hockin and Walter Gretzky. 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. Wayne Gretzky as an NHL owner and coach. [17], The team Gretzky played on at age six was otherwise composed of 10-year-olds. On 26-1-1961 Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario. [103] Finally, in early 1996, Gretzky requested a trade. But now, if players without the puck skated just as hard as those with it, but faster, and dodged and darted to open ice just as determinedly, but more effectively, how did you shut them down? [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. Walter's drills were his own invention, and were ahead of their time in Canada. Advertisement. The following year, as a 1516-year-old, he had 72points in 32games with the same team, renamed the Seneca Nationals. He made them skate to his level and pass and finish up to his level or they would be embarrassed. Sports commentators said that he played like he had "eyes in the back of his head. The NHL retired his jersey number 99 league-wide, making him the only hockey player and one of only three players in professional sports history to receive such an honor, along with Jackie Robinson, whose uniform number 42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997, and Bill Russell, whose uniform number 6 was retired by the National Basketball Association in 2022. 18. [120], The final game of Gretzky's career was a 21overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999, in Madison Square Garden. [235][236], His father Walter died in 2021 at the age of 82. The WHA completed the playoffs of its final season as planned. In front of the net, eyeball to eyeball with the goaltender he will hold the puck one extra instant, upsetting the anticipated rhythm of the game, extending the moment. [56] This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. [5] Despite his unimpressive size and strength, Gretzky's intelligence, stamina, and reading of the game were unrivaled. [102] During the 199495 NHL lock-out, Gretzky and some friends (including Mark Messier, Marty McSorley, Brett Hull and Steve Yzerman) formed the Ninety Nine All Stars Tour and played eight exhibition games in various countries. [50], In his first NHL season, 197980, Gretzky was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player (the first of eight in a row) and tied for the scoring lead with Marcel Dionne with 137points. Marie, a northern Ontario city that inflicts a heavy travelling schedule on its junior team. Walter Gretzky had been an outstanding Junior B hockey player. [159] But that year, Gretzky tied for first place in scoring, and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player. Peter Gzowski says that the best of the best athletes in all sports understand the game so well, and in such detail, that they can instantly recognize and capitalize upon emerging patterns of play. 0:35. Wayne Gretzky: Family and Education. [224][225], While serving as a judge on Dance Fever, Gretzky met actress Janet Jones. Under the agreement, the WHA agreed to fold after the 1979 season with the Oilers and three other teams (the Hartford (New England) Whalers, the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets) joining the older league as expansion franchises. [104], On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the St. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson and two draft picks (Peter Hogan and Matt Zultek). And as a couple we would like to thank our friends and family, what an amazing weekend. 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. [226] According to Gretzky, Jones does not recall his being on the show. Gretzky was named to the club on November 29, 1997. Together, they have two children, Tatum and River Johnson. [196] He took an indefinite leave of absence on December 17 to be with his ill mother. Gretzky's final head coaching record was 14316124. Wayne's brothers Brent and Keith both had short-lived professional careers in hockey and his son, Trevor, was an impressive high school football quarterback who played on the same team as the sons of Will Smith and Joe Montana. [207], Gretzky served as an ambassador to Vancouver's successful bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics,[208] and was named Special Advisor to Canada's men's hockey team at the Games. Lemieux scored to win the tournament for Canada; the play is widely regarded as one of the most memorable plays in Canadian international competition. [34], One of the highlights of Gretzky's season was his appearance in the 1979 WHA All-Star Game. [277] Between 1981 and 1994, he won the Art Ross Trophy, presented to the NHL's season points leader, 10 times. He led the tournament in scoring for the second consecutive time and was named to the All-Star Team. Perched on the crest of a hill with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Santa Monica Mountains and Lake . [16] On the backyard rink, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum", winter was total hockey immersion with Walter as mentor-teacher as well as teammate. Like a magician, he had to direct attention elsewhere, to his four teammates on the ice with him, to create the momentary distraction in order to move unnoticed into the open ice where size and strength didn't matter. Wayne took home the Hart Trophy honors during his first NHL season. The 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card that recently sold for $3.75 million is the same version of the card that sold for $1.29 million this past December. He, almost alone among the Canadians, seemed to take to the larger ice surface as if it offered more opportunity instead of obligation His playing time soared, as he was being sent on not just for power plays but double shifts and even penalty kills. [227] Gretzky proposed in January 1988,[228] and they were married on July 16, 1988, in a lavish ceremony the Canadian press dubbed "The Royal Wedding". [105] At the time of the trade, the Blues and New York Rangers emerged as front-runners, but the Blues met his salary demands. Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario. [121] At the time of his retirement, Gretzky was the second-to-last WHA player still active in professional hockey. [243] In 1992, Gretzky and McNall partnered in an investment to buy a rare Honus Wagner T206 cigarette card for US$451,000, later selling the card. [54] The Calder was instead awarded to Boston Bruins defenceman Ray Bourque. That's what made him such a phenomenal player. [214] Figures in boldface italics are NHL records. The Edmonton alumni won the Megastars game 20,[215] while Montreal went on to win the regular season game held later that day, 43. [213] It was preceded by the Mega Stars game, which featured Gretzky and many of his Oiler Dynasty teammates against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players (whose likes included Claude Lemieux, Guy Lafleur and others). The Kings refused, instead offering Jimmy Carson. [97] Many credit Gretzky's arrival with putting non-traditional American hockey markets on "the NHL map"; not only did California receive two more NHL franchises (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and San Jose Sharks) during Gretzky's tenure in Los Angeles, but his popularity in Southern California proved to be an impetus in the league establishing teams in other parts of the U.S. Sun Belt. [102] Under both McNall and the new ownership group, the team was fiscally unstable, to the point that paychecks to players bounced. At the moment, Janet Jones and Wayne Gretzky have five kids: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. [98], Gretzky was sidelined for much of the 199293 regular season with a back injury (he returned on January 6, 1993, which was also his 1,000th NHL game), and his 65-point output ended a record 13-year streak in which he recorded at least 100 points each season. [100], The next season, Gretzky broke Gordie Howe's career goal-scoring record of 801, and won the scoring title,[56] but the team began a long slide, and despite numerous player and coaching moves, they failed to qualify for the playoffs again until 1998. Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast." Gretzky's wedding to the then-Janet Jones was . The athlete is married to Janet Jones, his starsign is Aquarius and he is now 62 years of age. [199], Gretzky was executive director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. [169] Defencemen found Gretzky a most elusive target. [66], The Edmonton Oilers finished first overall in their last WHA regular season. [177] The Hall of Fame then announced that he would be the last player to do so. [183] Also in 2002, Gretzky received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. After Wayne's birth, the family moved to a house in Varadi Avenue in Brantford. The Oilers went on to win their fifth Cup (and first without Gretzky). Him: "If you get cut off, what are you gonna do?" The Oilers reached the Avco World Trophy finals (the only WHA championship series appearance for the franchise), where they lost to the Winnipeg Jets in six games. Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery is part of the APL family, located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. But I'm Canadian to the core. An ownership dispute involving Research in Motion's Jim Balsillie (with the intention of relocating the team to Hamilton, Ontario) and the NHL itself arose, which eventually ended up in court. [142], He passed and shot with prodigious skill. instagram.com. It's like Larry Bird. [56] He won his second straight Hart Trophy. An extremely rare 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie has sold for $3.75 million in a private transaction, . [136], Gretzky's size and strength were unimpressivein fact, far below average for the NHLbut he is widely considered the smartest player in the history of the game. [199], On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian-born retired professional hockey player and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $250 million. [190][191] Gretzky convinced his long-time agent Michael Barnett to join the team as its General Manager. [101] After the financially troubled McNall was forced to sell the Kings in 1994, Gretzky's relationship with the Kings' new owners grew strained. [26] The Gretzkys won, and Wayne played Junior B hockey with the Toronto Nationals, in a league that included 20-year-olds. Walter Gretzky was the son of immigrants a Polish mother and Russian father who started a vegetable farm in 1932 in Canning, Ontario, just outside Brantford, on the Nith River, where Wayne . [114] Along with Jaromir Jagr, he topped the NHL in 199798 with 67assists. [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]. After the details of the trade were finalized by the two owners, one final condition had to be met: Gretzky had to call Pocklington and request a trade. Gretzky played for 10 years with the Oilers, with Sather as coach. [9] Gretzky became executive director for the Canadian national men's hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics, in which the team won a gold medal. "[153], Gretzky also credits his coach at the Edmonton Oilers, Glen ("Slats") Sather, as an important influence in his development as a hockey player. [202] The Coyotes' performance declined in 200607, as the team ended the season 15th in their conference. The children and grandchildren of people who . The Canadians had trouble with the big ice. He also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and performance five times, and often spoke out against fighting in hockey.[8]. [278] Gretzky was named the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1985 and 1988, receiving the Conn Smythe Trophy. [21] His play attracted media attention beyond his hometown of Brantford, including a profile by John Iaboni in the Toronto Telegram in October 1971. [10] In September 2009, following the Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy, Gretzky resigned as head coach and relinquished his ownership share. The Racers were losing $40,000 per game. [267] His most recent work, 99: Stories of the Game (2016), with Kirstie McLellan Day, was an in-depth look at the history of hockey. Wayne Gretzky is regarded as the greatest professional ice hockey player of all time by sportswriters, players, the NHL itself, and the Canadian ice hockey magazine The Hockey News. Wayne Gretzky junior career. [108] Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15million with the Blues, and on July 21, signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier for a two-year, $8million (plus incentives) contract. [194] Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5,[195] and won his first game, on October 8 against the Minnesota Wild. 11. "You never knew what he was going to do", said hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov. The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat . [42], On Gretzky's 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 10-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history at the time) worth C$3million, with options for 10 more years. 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. Gretzky has called the tournament the best hockey he had played in his life. [127] Canada finished with the bronze medal. 99. He notched 14 points in 10 games, including a two-goal, two-assist effort in Canada's final game against Sweden to earn the bronze. When asked how he managed, at age ten, to score 378 goals in a single season, Gretzky explained, See, kids usually don't start playing hockey until they're six or seven. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mourners wore masks at the service, which was limited . He used to stand on the blue line and say to me, "Watch, this is how everybody else does it." [230], The couple have five children: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. [115], In 1997, prior to his retirement, The Hockey News named a committee of 50hockey experts (former NHL players, past and present writers, broadcasters, coaches and hockey executives) to select and rank the 50greatest players in NHL history. TORONTO (AP) Walter Gretzky, the father of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, has died. . 96. . Turner Sports has reached a multi-year agreement with Wayne Gretzky to be a studio . "I do! [72] The Oilers also won the Stanley Cup with Gretzky in 1985, 1987 and 1988. "[271] As a non-resident, Gretzky came under some criticism for this endorsement. 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. "If a guy ran him, Wayne would embarrass that guy", said former Oiler Lee Fogolin. Me: "Away from the guy, not towards him. The league, which at one point iced fourteen teams, was down to seven surviving franchises. [279] In addition, he earned the Lester B. Pearson Award (now Ted Lindsay Award) on five occasions; the award is given to the NHL's "most outstanding player", as determined by National Hockey League Players' Association members. Now he was in Indy, taking some classes at Broad Ripple High School, living with a family in the Brookshire development in Carmel. [240], In 1991, McNall purchased the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with Gretzky and John Candy as minority owners. Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. . He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. [280] The Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship and performance, was presented to Gretzky five times between 1980 and 1999. He retired from international play holding the records for most goals (20), most assists (28), and most overall points (48) in best-on-best hockey. By age 6 he was playing as an all-star in novice hockey . [229] Broadcast live throughout Canada from Edmonton's St. Joseph's Basilica, members of the Fire Department acted as ceremonial guards. [92], The Kings named Gretzky their alternate captain. I got it from my Dad. [70] He was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2009 "for his continued contributions to the world of hockey, notably as one of the best players of all time, as well as for his social engagement as a philanthropist, volunteer and role model for countless young people". Him: "Where do you skate?" Gretzky was its captain from 1983 to 1988. [256], In 2017 as part-owner with Andrew Peller Ltd., Gretzky opened a winery and distillery bearing the name of Wayne Gretzky Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and with products labelled by the trademark, No. Analyzing Gretzky's hockey skills, he says, "What we take to be creative genius is in fact a reaction to a situation that he has stored in his brain as deeply and firmly as his own phone number." "That's a hundred percent right. "[19] The sweaters for 10-year-olds were far too large for Gretzky, who coped by tucking the sweater into his pants on the right side. In the year he scored his record 92 goals, 22 of them went in the net during the first period, 30 in the secondand 40 in the third. [73], When the Oilers joined the NHL, Gretzky continued to play under his personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. [117] As the season wound down, there was media speculation that Gretzky would retire, but he refused to announce his retirement. "Gretzky" redirects here. The Gretzky family showed some love for Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open. His mother was of English, and some Cornish and Irish, descent. [244] The pair also owned Thoroughbred race horses; one of them, Saumarez, won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1990. [156], Much has been written about Gretzky's highly developed hockey instincts, but he once explained that what appeared to be instinct was, in large part, the effect of his relentless study and practice of the game, in co-operation with his coaches. The Legend of 99. [210] Due to BC Place being an indoor stadium, and Olympic protocols stating that the lighting of the cauldron should be visible to the public, Gretzky was then escorted out of the stadium to light a second, outdoor cauldron outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, making him the de facto final torchbearer. And like his parents, the retired athlete also has five children with his wife . The Wayne Gretzky family is very close.. Wayne Gretzky was born January 26, 1961.. His dad, Walter Gretzky, was born October 8, 1938. [241][242] Only McNall's name was engraved on the Grey Cup as team owner, but in November 2007, the CFL corrected the oversight, adding Gretzky's and Candy's names. Love you all, 33 years Happy Anniversary." Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones attend the "The . Gzowski presented this theory to Gretzky, and he fully agreed. Among their five . [284] The Wayne Gretzky Trophy is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference. Born in Brantford, Ontario in 1961, Wayne Gretzky learned to skate on a rink his father Walter built in the family's backyard. [5] His first coach, Dick Martin, remarked that he handled the puck better than the 10-year-olds. Fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin compared attempting to hit Gretzky to "wrapping your arms around fog. [248] He has endorsed and launched a wide variety of products, from pillow cases to insurance. [178] He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000. [2], Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky honed his skills on a backyard rink and regularly played minor hockey at a level far above his peers. [133][134] Team Canada then lost the bronze medal game 32 to Finland to finish without a medal. In 1977, he was the third pick in the midget draft for the Ontario Major . [245] Gretzky was a board member and executive officer of the Hespeler Hockey Company. The 23,000-square foot facility nestled amongst the grapevines is the first combined winery and distillery in Ontario, inviting guests to join in a celebration of Canadian wine, Canadian whisky, and Canadian culture. 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? [145] Statistics support the contention: whereas Phil Esposito, who had set the previous goal-scoring record, needed 550 shots to score 76 goals, Gretzky netted his 76th after only 287 shotsabout half as many. [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. [150], Gretzky learned much about hockey from his father on a backyard rink at his home. The men including Wayne, two of his sons Trevor and Ty, and his grandchildren Tatum and River, who belong to Paulina stood . [93] The Kings got off to their best start ever, winning four straight en route to qualifying for the playoffs. Every time he took the ice, there was some spontaneous decision he would make. He scored his all-time record of 92 goals with just 369 shots. In October 2016, he returned to the Oilers as a minority partner and vice-chairman of their parent company, Oilers Entertainment Group. Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC was born on January 26, 1961, in Ontario, Canada to Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Leone. [165] Gretzky also excelled at box lacrosse, which he played during the summer. [87] When Pocklington told Oilers general manager and head coach Sather about his plans to trade Gretzky to Los Angeles, Sather tried to stop the deal, but when he found out that Gretzky had been involved in the negotiations, he changed his attitude and requested Luc Robitaille in exchange. [17], In Gretzky's first appearance in Edmonton after the trade, a game nationally televised in Canada, he received a four-minute standing ovation. May 26, 2021 at 6:25 p.m. "The Great One" is headed from the front office to a cable television studio. In 2000, the former forward was linked with a deal to become a part-owner, governor, and head of hockey operations for the Phoenix Coyotes. [219] In 1984, he travelled to the Soviet Union to film a television program on Russian goaltender Vladislav Tretiak. Trevor is the most successful sibling . Walter Gretzky, the father of NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky , died at the age of 82 after suffering from Parkinson's disease as well as other health issues, the family announced. [118] Following the contest, in a departure from the usual three stars announcement, Gretzky was awarded all three stars. Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, the son of Phyllis Leone (Hockin) and Walter Gretzky. 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. [16] Wayne was a classic prodigy whose extraordinary skills made him the target of jealous parents. [91] The arena was sold out, and the attendance of 17,503 was the Oilers' biggest crowd ever to that date. Brantford further inducted Gretzky into its "Walk of Fame" in 2004. He is the only NHL player to total over 200points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times. I saw him do it night after night. In his post-championship interview, Messier (who had replaced Gretzky as Edmonton's captain following the trade) paid tribute to his former teammate by dedicating the Oilers' Cup win to him. Sep 10, 2021. They all wanted to play like Gretzky. By the final round it was Wayne Gretzky who assumed the leadership both on and off the ice. [38] Skalbania sold Gretzky, Mio and Driscoll to Oilers owner Peter Pocklington, a former business partner. The event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1million. Former NHL star Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet have listed their Colonial-style mansion for $22.9 million. Early years. With a private gym in their home, it's easy for the fitness-focused couple to stay active. [211], Although Gretzky had previously stated he would not participate in any "old-timers exhibition games",[212] on November 22, 2003, he took to the ice to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. [84], Two hours after the Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1988, Gretzky learned from his father that the Oilers were planning to deal him to another team. [37] Mio paid the $4,000 bill for the flight with his credit card. By 1978, the World Hockey Association, which had been in competition with the established NHL since 1972, was clearly struggling. "Janet makes me go to hot yoga," Gretzky reveals. [175], Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999, becoming the tenth player to bypass the three-year waiting period. Jones took to Instagram writing: "Love you, Wayne, and a perfect night with most of the family by our sides. [223], Gretzky is a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States, having become a naturalized citizen of the latter. In 1990, the Associated Press named Gretzky Male Athlete of the Decade. Nevertheless, to avoid any potential for litigation over the validity of Gretzky's personal services contract the Oilers were allowed to keep the young star on their roster as one of their priority selections. Gretzky addressed those comments by saying he spoke out to protect the Canadian players, and the tirade was not "staged". [233] Trevor is a former minor league baseball player. Bidders for the club had indicated that Gretzky would no longer be associated with the team after it emerged from bankruptcy, and on September 24, 2009, Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations of the Coyotes. 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. [62] The Canadian Press also named Gretzky Newsmaker of the Year in 1982. He reached one milestone in this last season, breaking the professional total (regular season and playoffs) goal-scoring record of 1,071, which had been held by Gordie Howe. Gretzky shared a sweet family photo in celebration of Mother's Day on May 9, 2021. After she said, "Yes," a banner flew by that read . Gretzky represented the Blues in the game, which his team won 87. [27], Despite his offensive statisticsscoring 132 points in 60 games in Junior B[27]two teams bypassed him in the 1977 Ontario Major Junior Hockey League draft of 16-year-olds. I moved because I was traded and that's where my job is. [239] Gretzky eventually sold the team in 1992 for C$550,000. Wayne Gretzky said in a social media post Thursday night that his father battled Parkinson's . He was 82 . 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. 4:28 | March 5, 2021. 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. Wayne Gretzky @WayneGretzky . [91] After the game, Gretzky took the opportunity to confirm his patriotism: "I'm still proud to be a Canadian.