If you are interested in ice hockey, you’ve probably heard the name Wayne Gretzky before. He had a remarkable career in the NHL. To this day he still holds 61 different NHL records, so he is not a force to be messed around with, when it comes to Canadian ice hockey history. He has been given the nickname ‘The Great One’, for his inspiring performances over the years.
A few words about Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian-born hockey player and NHL Hall of Famer. He started skating at age 2 and by the age of 6 was regularly playing with older boys. He played his first full NHL season in the year 1979-80 for the Edmonton Oilers. Over the next two decades, he dominated the sport, setting a host of league records. He retired in 1999 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame that same year. He stated: “Not only am I mentally ready to retire, I’m physically ready to retire,” he said after his last game. “It’s hard. This is a great game, but it’s a hard game. I’m ready.”
Not long after retiring, Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition, he continued to stay in close contact with the game and the league.
The early years of Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Gretzky was only 2 years old when he first started skating. The young Gretzky spent countless hours on the ice, practicing his talents as a skater, shooter and passer. Because of his early talent, Gretzky often played in leagues that catered to older boys. The age and size differences between Gretzky and his competition mattered a bit, but in his final year of peewee hockey, he scored an improbable 378 goals, which was impressive at his age.As a teenager Gretzky became popular across Canada, because of his play. He was selected third in the 1977 Ontario Major Junior Hockey League
Midget draft and displayed his impressive skills that season for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. His future status as an NHL star was furthered at the 1978 World Junior Championships in Quebec City, where Gretzky played for his home country and led the entire tournament in scoring.
NHL Success
Gretzky was eager to turn professional but because of the league’s age restrictions, Gretzky was prevented from playing in the NHL. Instead, he signed with the Indianapolis Racers in the new World Hockey Association in the fall of 1978. However, not long after Gretzky arrived, the franchise closed its doors and sold its young asset to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. In the fall of 1979, Gretzky began his first full NHL season. Gretzky quickly began to dominate the competition, scoring 51 goals and 86 assists on his way to winning the league’s Hart Memorial Trophy, an award recognizing the most valuable player. It was the first time a first-year player had ever been honored with the award.
Soon enough, Edmonton became a championship juggernaut. With Gretzky at the helm, the Oilers finished as Stanley Cup champions in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988. When his team won, Gretzky braided through the record books by writing unimaginable numbers. In 1982, he broke the 200-point barrier for the first time, setting a record in a single season with 92 goals, while collecting 120 assists. His finest year may have been 1986, a season in which he averaged 52 goals and an NHL season record, 163 assists.
Success and money
Wayne Gretzky’s giant success within ice hockey has made him an a-list celebrity. His popularity gave him the opportunity to star in a lot of different commercials, which is a part of his big wealth. As of now Wayne Gretzky is expected to have a net worth around 250 million dollars. Which must be considered a ton of money, even for a man with his career. Wayne Gretzky could probably have a comfortable retirement, but is still at it on the ice, even though he is considered to be the richest hockey player in the world.
Wayne Gretzky in current times
Actually Wayne Gretzky’s efforts in ice hockey are not yet over. Gretzky is the co-owner and coach for the team Phoenix Coyotes, so you can still put your money on the ‘great one’, if you wish to do so. If you are thinking about putting some money down for an ice hockey game, you might want to check out the michigan sportsbook bonus, if you have not been betting on sports before, you also have the opportunity to obtain some sign up bonuses too. A website that reviews and lists casino bonuses that are the best for people looking for sports betting casino sites as coinflip.com.
Despite the excitement surrounding his affiliation with the club, coach Gretzky was never able to lead the club to the playoffs, much less fill the arena with fans. In September 2009, after four tough seasons, he resigned as coach. Eventually, he gave up his ownership of the team.
Private life
Wayne Gretzky is considered to be a bit of a family man, when he isn’t working. He has been married to his wife, Janet Jones, since 1988. Together they have five children.
Janet Jones is an American actress, gymnast and model. When Wayne Gretzky married Janet, he also obtained american citizenship and now has a dual citizenship.
One time Wayne Gretzky took leave from his coaching job because his mom was dying from cancer. He even passed up the chance to be the national coach at the olympics to be with his mom in the last, hard times of her life. If you are interested in knowing more about Wayne Gretzky continue here.
Over the years Gretzky has been involved in both the restaurant business and the wine business and lives with his family in California.