After every hockey game he ever played, Wayne Gretzky showered and put on a jacket and tie or other appropriate clothing to face reporters, head to the plane, and continue on with his day or night in a professional manner. The only difference about his last game was that, sadly, he wouldn't be putting on his equipment on a daily basis ever again. But he wears the suits every day, and he is now as active in hockey off ice every bit as much as he was the centre of attention on it during his playing days.
We head toward Salt Lake, as Team Canada falls into place and Gretzky tries to create a gold medal team, the new millennium 99 is hard at work in hockey, trying to be a winner again, trying to develop new friendships and competitive elements in a life so rich with success already. But no matter how much he succeeds, there will always be a bit of a difference from playing. "I really miss being with the players," he admits. "The camaraderie in the dressing room, on the plane or bus...I really miss that the most."
heck of a player and will soon be a heck of a coach. I belive he will turn the coyotes around and make them stanley cup champs with in 2 years.
I wanna tell you something Great, about the great one. Ever since I could understand hockey, I loved Toronto, brainwashed by my father, Montreal fans were everywhere, so I faced many the na na na na's...ugh. '93, I was about 5 I think, Wayne Gretzky, not LA, Gretzky put out Toronto, I hated that man untill he retired. Anways, I found out there last year that my first cousin who died when he was about 9 I think (grew up in the 80's) and loved wayne gretzky. And one of his wishes were to speak with Wayne Gretzky.
I'm from Newfoundland, as was my cousin, kinda lesser of a province in Canada. And you know that man called my cousin. He called, and my cousin was too sick to talk with him that day. The next day, Gretzky called back again. When I heard that Wayne Gretzky went out of his way to call one of my family members here in Newfoundland, when he was a superstar in his prime, I was astonished, I will forever admire him. Great player too...I guess...haha.
Wow, thats quite a story. Gretzky is definately a stand up guy, he doesn't put on a dog and pony show for the press, he doesn't have to - and rightfully so with his record. You know, you would think a guy who was/is as good as he was/is would have a huge ego but it seems like the exact opposite to me. He's just one of those guys who I really think deserves all the great things he's attained and stories like yours only solidify that feeling.
gretzky is an awesome player and i'm glad he's able to still be involved in hockey as a coach. if i had playing for a long time and retired, i probably would have seen if i could still be involved in hockey like he has. i wouldn't be surprised if he can't shake the hockey bug out of him - meaning that hockey is a part of his life and he can't go a day without it.
he was an incredible player in his playing days but right now as a coach with the coyotes there not doing much. but now they have jovo,roenick and boyton hopefuly that helps.
heck of a player and will soon be a heck of a coach. I belive he will turn the coyotes around and make them stanley cup champs with in 2 years.
hell yea
heck of a player and will soon be a heck of a coach. I belive he will turn the coyotes around and make them stanley cup champs with in 2 years.
2 years is awfully generous for a team that has never had a playoff round victory, but it never hurts to be optimistic.
i would give almost anything to travel back in time and witness the great one play just one game in his prime. watching him on film is cool, but to be in the arena and physically see him on the ice skating circles around the competition, im sure anyone who was lucky enough to have this opportunity could never forget it even if they tried. the comparisons have already begun between the great one and the next one-crosby, and some people have even thrown ovechkin's name into the mix. but as far as im concerned their can only be one gretzky and he will always be number one. (haha i just thought of that highlander movie, except wayne is in it and hes on top of a mountain with a hockey stick instead of a sword. "their can be only one!")
ok seriously folks, i like what i've seen from the coyotes so far. i know the season's just started, but since my dream of seeing wayne lace the skates up in his heyday are long gone, i will gladly settle for having the chance to see him raise that cup (hopefully sooner than later) for the first time, not as a player but as a head coach.
I love watching my Wayne Gretzky documentary on VHS called "Above And Beyond." It never ceases to amaze me how much he completely dominated the league for over 10 years. Crazy to think about. He's undoubtedly the greatest player to play this game, ever.