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Trucking magnate and Arizona Diamondbacks part-owner Jerry Moyes was added to the partnership. A family portrait of Wayne and Janet with kids Trevor, Paulina and Ty in 1997. . [5][11] The couple married in 1960, and lived in an apartment in Brantford, where Walter worked for Bell Telephone Canada. [109], Gretzky ended his professional playing career with the New York Rangers, where he played his final three seasons and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997. [32] While in the air, Skalbania worked on the deal. The Oilers went on to win their fifth Cup (and first without 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. [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. On toy store shelves, the Wayne Gretzky doll was a part of the inventory, and in 1983, the government of Canada even issued an official Wayne Gretzky dollar coin. [129] Playing on a line with Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Mario Lemieux, he recorded a tournament-best 21 points in nine games. [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". [222] In December 2016, Gretzky appeared briefly in a cameo on a Christmas episode of The Simpsons as a winter character. [251][252] The video game brand EA Sports included Gretzky in its 2010 title NHL Slapshot,[253] and he had previously been an endorser for the 989 Sports games Gretzky NHL 2005 and Gretzky NHL 2006. [144], He also had strong general athletic skills. Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones has been married since 1988, and their union has produced three sons - Ty Gretzky, Trevor Gretzky, and Tristan Gretzky - and two daughter named Paulina Gretzky, and Emma Gretzky. I saw him do it night after night. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mourners wore masks at the service, which was limited . [244] The pair also owned Thoroughbred race horses; one of them, Saumarez, won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1990. 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. [20], By age 10, Gretzky had scored an astonishing 378goals and 139assists in just oneseason with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers. Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. Now he was in Indy, taking some classes at Broad Ripple High School, living with a family in the Brookshire development in Carmel. 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. While they were using all this energy trying to rattle his teeth, he was just skating away, circling, analyzing things."[140]. [10] In September 2009, following the Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy, Gretzky resigned as head coach and relinquished his ownership share. [105] At the time of the trade, the Blues and New York Rangers emerged as front-runners, but the Blues met his salary demands. [126][128], Gretzky debuted with the Team Canada's men's team at the 1981 Canada Cup. The WHA had long sought to arrange some sort of merger with the NHL, but were constantly rebuffed by a group of hardline owners in the older league. But I'm Canadian to the core. . Him: "Which way?" [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. [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". As a result, he was offered a contract by the Toronto Blue Jays. 14/14 Reason For The Trade. Here are just 14 things the family hopes remains on the DL so as not to tarnish the Gretzky family name. Gretzky has made several TV appearances, including as a Dance Fever celebrity judge, and acted in a dramatic role alongside Victor Newman in The Young and the Restless in 1981. [29] His coach at the Edmonton Oilers, Glen Sather, said, "He was so much more intelligent. He was nervous Edmonton would greet him with boos, but they were eagerly waiting for him. It's like Larry Bird. Courtesy Heritage Auctions Five years later, the tournament was revived and renamed the World Cup in 1996. By the time I was ten, I had eight years on skates instead of four, and a few seasons' worth of ice time against ten-year-olds. He was unsuccessful both times. Some say I have a "sixth sense" Baloney. Gretzky informed McNall that his prerequisites for a deal to take place were that Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski join him as teammates in Los Angeles. Gretzky was one of six players voted to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) Centennial All-Star Team. [197] Gretzky resumed his head-coaching duties on December 28. [16] On the backyard rink, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum", winter was total hockey immersion with Walter as mentor-teacher as well as teammate. The men including Wayne, two of his sons Trevor and Ty, and his grandchildren Tatum and River, who belong to Paulina stood . He is widely known for being one of hockey's greatest players of all time and has broken more than 60 records in the NHL. [53] The season still stands as the highest point total by a first-year player in NHL history. [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. 224. [230], The couple have five children: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. He'd shoot it into the corner again, only this time he cut across to the other side and picked it up over there. Just a Regular Blue Jersey", "Hockey; Rangers Waste Gretzky's Gifts Again", "In Signing Messier, Canucks' Persistence Paid Off", "NHL & WHA Yearly Leaders and Records for Assists", "Cole: Bobby Orr was The One, not The Great One", "List of 16-year old World Junior Championship players", "Wayne Gretzky never thought he would make this team", "Hasek Stares Down Canada in Shootout, 21", "Finland Stuns Canada, 32, to Win Bronze Medal", "To figure Gretzky's greatness just tally up the numbers", "Duhatschek: In the City of Angels, NHL mends fences with The Great One", "Wayne Gretzky pays respects to Islanders great Mike Bossy, who passed away at 65 - Forever Blueshirts: A site for New York Rangers fanatics", "Edmonton Oilers have had some of the NHL's best enforcers", "Gloves Off: The 10 Top NHL Enforcers of All Time", "Walking in the footsteps of hockey inaction", "Gretzky officially welcomed into Hockey Hall of Fame", "Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game", "Gretzky jersey ceremony turns into L.A. lovefest", "Plus: N.H.L.Phoenix; Gretzky's Role To Be Limited", "Canucks spoil Great One's coaching debut", "Minnesota Wild 1, Phoenix Coyotes 2 Final", "Gretzky returns with five-year extension", "Gretzky moved to tears as Russia beats Canada 20", "Wayne Gretzky, in China, says NHL letting its stars play in Olympics is 'better for everyone', "Canada Roster 2010 Olympic Winter Games", "Anxious moments during cauldron malfunction", "People chase Gretzky through the streets of Vancouver", "Oilers will play Canadiens in outdoor game", "Fans, players bundle up for historic game", "Wayne Gretzky returns to Oilers in executive role", "Wayne Gretzky stepping away from role with Edmonton Oilers", "Bo-ners, Re-gretz and Mike-believe Two-line Head In Forms", "Gotta See It: Wayne Gretzky's very brief 'Simpsons' cameo", "Why won't Wayne Gretzky pick up his Order of Canada? [88], On August 9, 1988, in a move that heralded significant change in the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky (along with McSorley and Krushelnyski) to the Kings for Carson, Martin Glinas, $15million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989 (later traded to the New Jersey Devils, who used it to select Jason Miller), 1991, (used to select Martin Runsk), and 1993, (used to select Nick Stajduhar). [257][258] From 1993 to 2020, Gretzky and a business partner operated the Wayne Gretzky's restaurant near the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto. Among their five . "[91] After the 198889 season, a life-sized bronze statue of Gretzky was erected outside Northlands Coliseum, holding the Stanley Cup over his head. [12] The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat enough to make an ice rink in winter. [271], Gretzky's career achievements include many awards and honours. It's anticipation. That's what made him such a phenomenal player. Given the pandemic and other life changes, I realize I will not be able to dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization. "[218] It was subsequently reported by various outlets that Gretzky had signed with new U.S. NHL rightsholder Turner Sports to become an analyst. In 1990, the Associated Press named Gretzky Male Athlete of the Decade. [51][52] Although Gretzky played 79games to Dionne's 80, Dionne was awarded the Art Ross Trophy because he had scored more goals (53 to 51). Wayne will be forever regarded as the greatest of all-time at his craft. Having debuted his ice hockey career at a very tender age, Wayne Gretzky played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999. [64][65] By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49NHL records. [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). No. "[270], During the 2015 Canadian federal election campaign, Gretzky endorsed the Conservative Party and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and was featured at a campaign rally praising Harper by calling him "wonderful to the country. Wayne Gretzky had four siblings: Kim Gretzky was born May 12, 1963; Keith Gretzky was born February 16, 1967; Glen Gretzky was born August 15, 1969 so golf is kind of part of the family. Me: "Peel." By 1995, he was among the five highest-paid athlete endorsers in North America, with deals from The Coca-Cola Company, Domino's Pizza, Sharp Corporation, and Upper Deck Company among others. The Great One wasn't going to leave hockey behind forever, though. [60] That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Paulina and Dustin's first child, Tatum Gretzky Johnson, was born just over two years . Speaking of Paulina, she and golf player Dustin Johnson have been in a relationship since 2011. [80], "He was, I think, the first Canadian forward to play a true team game", said hockey writer and former NHL goaltender Ken Dryden. It's a whole new surface and everybody starts from ground zero. 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. [199], Gretzky was executive director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. 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. 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. After losing the first game of a best-of-three final series against the Soviets, Gretzky propelled Canada with a five-assist performance in the second game, including the game-winning pass to Lemieux in overtime, to extend the tournament. 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. [186] Gretzky was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. 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 . The Gretzkys made an arrangement with a local family they knew and Wayne played for the Greyhounds, at age 16. 11. March 5, 2021 at 12:02 p.m. EST. [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. As you . "A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking."[5]. After his retirement in 1999, Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, making him the most recent player to have the waiting period waived. 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. Wayne Gretzky is a famous former professional ice hockey player. [54] The Calder was instead awarded to Boston Bruins defenceman Ray Bourque. [126], Leading up to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, it was announced that NHL players would be eligible to play for the first time. Wayne Gretzky speaks during a promotional event for the Beijing Kunlun Red Star in his role as global ambassador for the team on Sept. 13, 2018. . Gretzky said that he told his dad that he was a little embarrassed about breaking his idol's record, and in some ways he . By the final round it was Wayne Gretzky who assumed the leadership both on and off the ice. [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. [264][265], Gretzky has written several books, including Gretzky: An Autobiography (1990), with Rick Reilly,[266] and 99: My Life in Pictures (1999), with John Davidson and Dan Diamond. The Oilers, like the other three teams, were to be allowed to protect two goaltenders and two skaters from being reclaimed by the established NHL teams in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft. In 2000, he became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, and following the 200405 NHL lock-out, he became the team's head coach. Love you all, 33 years Happy Anniversary." Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones attend the "The . (Nathan Denette/AP) Article. The Gretzky Family (Instagram) Similarly, Trevor Douglas was born the third child and second son on 1992 September 14, 14. [124] He recounted: My last game in New York was my greatest day in hockey Everything you enjoy about the sport of hockey as a kid, driving to practice with mom [Phyllis] and dad [Walter], driving to the game with mom and dad, looking in the stands and seeing your mom and dad and your friends, that all came together in that last game in New York. Every time he took the ice, there was some spontaneous decision he would make. He left behind his five adult children and 13 grandchildren. He is one of the best ice hockey players of all time. "Janet makes me go to hot yoga," Gretzky reveals. "[81], Between 1982 and 1985, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 423 goals a season, when no previous team had scored 400, and Gretzky on his own had averaged 207 points, when no player before had scored more than 152 in one year. [160] In his second year in the league, weighing just 165 pounds, he broke the previous single-season scoring record, racking up 164 points. Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC was born on January 26, 1961, in Ontario, Canada to Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Leone. To stop them without it, that was interference. [286], In May 2021, one of his 1979 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards sold for $3.75million in a private sale.[287]. Former NHL star Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet have listed their Colonial-style mansion for $22.9 million. [57], During the 198182 season, Gretzky surpassed a record that had stood for 35years: 50 goals in 50 games, first set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard during the 194445 NHL season and tied by Mike Bossy during the 198081 NHL season. [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. Who says anticipation can't be taught? 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 . "Wayne Gretzky was one of the most accurate scorers in NHL history", said one biography. Gretzky was its captain from 1983 to 1988. Growing up, he was a competitive runner and also batted .492 for the Junior Intercounty Baseball League's Brantford CKCP Braves in the summer of 1980. Walter Gretzky was the son of immigrants - a Polish mother and Russian father - who started a vegetable farm in 1932 in Canning, Ont., just outside Brantford, on the Nith River, where Wayne . [5] Despite his unimpressive size and strength, Gretzky's intelligence, stamina, and reading of the game were unrivaled. [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. . In 1980, when an exercise physiologist tested the recuperative abilities of all of the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky scored so high that the tester said he "thought the machine had broken. A great athlete, he shared his genius with the world of Ice Hockey.The legend is frequently seen talking about his family. The jumpshot is cake. [92], The Kings named Gretzky their alternate captain. [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. [178] He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2000. Then he'd come back and say, "Now, this is how the smart player does it." 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. [226] According to Gretzky, Jones does not recall his being on the show. Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery is part of the APL family, located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. The hardest work he does is getting open. [63], The following seasons saw Gretzky break his own assists record three more times (125 in 198283, 135 in 198485 and 163 in 198586); he also bettered that mark (120assists) in 198687 with 121 and 199091 with 122, and his point record one more time (215, in 198586). He also had a way of never shooting the puck with the same rhythm twice, making his shots harder to time and block. [3] Gretzky is the leading goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in NHL history,[4] and has more assists in his career than any other player scored total points. [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. [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. Chicago coach Mike Keenan said it best: "There's a spot on the ice that's no-man's land, and all the good goal scorers find it." 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. 18. [74] Amid growing concern around the NHL that a financial institution might be able to lay claim to Gretzky's rights in the event the heavily leveraged Pocklington were to declare bankruptcy, as well as growing dissatisfaction on the part of Gretzky and his advisers, in 1987, Gretzky and Pocklington agreed to replace the personal services contract with a standard NHL contract. [120], The final game of Gretzky's career was a 21overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999, in Madison Square Garden. 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? In this article, we'll take a look at 18 photos the Gretzky family doesn't want us to see. [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. It was the 16th time in 19 seasons that Gretzky earned at least a share of the league lead in the statistic. Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast." With the WHA's long-term survival obviously in doubt, Birmingham Bulls owner John F. Bassett believed the only way to gain meaningful leverage over the NHL was to sign as many young and promising superstars as possible. 444. [177] The Hall of Fame then announced that he would be the last player to do so. [116], The 199899 season was his last as a professional player. It most recently sold for US$2.8 million. [25] According to Walter, the "capper" was being booed on "Brantford Day" at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens in February 1975. The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat . Walter Gretzky, died on Thursday at the age of 82. [34], Gretzky scored his first professional goal against Dave Dryden of the Edmonton Oilers[35] in his fifth game, and his second goal four seconds later. [159] But that year, Gretzky tied for first place in scoring, and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player. Me: "The guy he's passing to." [47] In exchange for agreeing to keep Gretzky off the draft board, the NHL placed Edmonton at the bottom of the draft order. Gretzky clung to life for 21 days, with his family sitting with him, similar to how he fought after numerous other debilitating health complications over the years. "[157], When he entered the league in 1979, critics opined that Gretzky was "too small, too wiry, and too slow to be a force in the [NHL]. In one of the snaps, the family were pictured in a living room. In addition, Gretzky tallied over 100points in 16 professional seasons, 14 of them consecutive. His last NHL game in Canada was on April 15, 1999, a 22tie with the Ottawa Senators and the Rangers' second-to-last game of the season. 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. [85] Walter Gretzky had known for months after having been tipped off by Skalbania, but kept the news from Wayne so as not to upset him. Perched on the crest of a hill with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Santa Monica Mountains and Lake . [21] Gretzky said he would have voted Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe as the best of all time. Sep 10, 2021. [280] The Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship and performance, was presented to Gretzky five times between 1980 and 1999. Gretzky was also forced to endure public criticism from his head coach for the first time in his career. 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. [200] There was uncertainty about Gretzky's role[201] until it was announced on May 31, 2006, that he had agreed to a five-year contract to remain head coach. [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]. The family regularly visited the farm of Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, and watched Hockey Night in Canada together. [6], Gretzky was the top scorer in the 1978 World Junior Championships. Emma Gretzky Family. 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. [187], Almost immediately after retirement, several NHL teams approached Gretzky about an ownership role. [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). They all wanted to play like Gretzky. 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. [15] Drills included skating around Javex bleach bottles and tin cans, and flipping pucks over scattered hockey sticks to be able to pick up the puck again in full flight. [58] Later that season, Gretzky broke Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76) on February 24, 1982, scoring three to help defeat the Buffalo Sabres 63. Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario. Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and head coach. Mark Messier, who attended the game along with other representatives of the Edmonton Oilers' dynasty, was the last.[123]. By the end of the regular season, the signings of Gretzky and other young stars in addition to other factors had compelled enough of the hardline NHL owners to change their positions, and an agreement (technically recognized as the 1979 expansion by the NHL) was finalized. [39] The format was a three-game series between the WHA All-Stars and Dynamo Moscow played at Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he held 61 NHL records: 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 All-Star records. Wayne Douglas Gretzky is a renowned Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. "The Soviets and Gretzky changed the NHL game", says Dryden. It was like running Gandhi into a corner. Using this approach, the Oilers, led by Gretzky, became the highest-scoring team in NHL history. As the Bailey family built their lasting tribute to Ace, the Bavis . With a career spanning more than two decades, he holds a handful of the NHL's most notable records. His mom, Phyllis Gretzky, was born October 14, 1941 and passed away on December 19, 2005. [196] He took an indefinite leave of absence on December 17 to be with his ill mother. "[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. "[173], Gretzky was named honorary chairman of the Open Ice Summit, held in August 1999 to discuss ways to improve Canadian ice hockey. That includes Wayne Gretzky's oldest daughter, Paulina Gretzky, who has been a singer, model, and actor, and is also known for her long-time relationship with golfer Dustin Johnson.