A look at the ‘Greatest One’ of the National Hockey League – Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky.
An Ice hockey fan immediately thinks of greatness and respect when he hears the name of this hockey legend. A normal person imagines of stardom and fame.
A living legend and the Michael Jordan of hockey, Wayne Gretzky is someone every young hockey player dreams of becoming one day. Haven being given the nickname “The Great One”, there really is no more room for doubt about Gretzky’s stature in the world of
hockey.
Being called the greatest hockey player to ever exist and the best in the history of the NHL implies that Gretzky is a force not to be reckoned with.
Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, Wayne Gretzky has been playing since he was very young, but the people around him have always noticed that his abilities were always much above his peers.
It was not his strength, speed or ability to shoot the puck that made him great, but it was his understanding and intelligence about the game. All was planed out by his mind, and all that was left was implementation.
In 1978, Gretzky began his career with Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) but soon he was traded to Edmonton Oilers.
After the dissolution of the WHA, the NHL was born and Oilers joined the NHL. Edmonton Oilers won 4 Stanley Cup championships with Gretzky, where he also made many of his own scoring records.
Wayne Gretzky played for a number of years with Edmonton Oilers before he was traded again, this time to Los Angeles Kings in 1988.
This deal couldn’t have been better for LA Kings, as it went to the finals that season and California saw a boom in hockey popularity.
Greatzsky played for St. Louis Blues, but is most remembered for his career with New York Rangers. Anyone who has seen Gretzky play in his lifetime will always remember that white, red and blue Rangers’ jersey along with him.
In 2006, Gretzky was, as believed by his friends and family, to be framed for gambling and placing illegal bets on a game. His wife was also involved in this scandal, but soon after police investigations and after all evidence was brought forth, Gretzky
and his wife were found not to be involved in any of the mentioned allegations.
It was a relief to the whole sports’ community and especially to his fans who look up to him as a role model.
New York Rangers was the last team that Wayne Gretzky played with and finally retired from the game in 1999. He was inducted formally into the NHL Hall of Fame the same year, having the waiting period waived.
Now he still has unmatched passion for the game but shows it in a different way. Through television appearances, coaching NHL teams, charities in which different needy children are offered opportunities to play, etc.
He is also a commanding authority in the game of hockey now but spends most of his time with family and his other business ventures.
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