Who Is Wayne Gretzky? Bio, Parents And Siblings
While other sports have passionate disputes about who is the greatest of all time, this does not happen in hockey. Wayne Douglas Gretzky is considered the best hockey player of all time owing to his incredible numbers and influence on the game. The Great One, as he is affectionately known, is from Ontario, Canada. Gretzky spent his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. While he was a valuable member of every team he played for, he is best recognized for his stint with the Edmonton Oilers.
Gretzky’s accomplishments during his 20-year career cannot be overstated. He possesses the most important scoring numbers in hockey history. These records will almost certainly survive the test of time as a continual reminder of Gretzky’s incredible run.
- Birthdate: January 26, 1961 (26-01-1961)
- Education: Broad Ripple High School
- Net Worth: $250 million
- Height: 6’0” (1.83 m)
- Weight: 185 lbs (83.9 kg)
- Position: Center
- Years Active: 20
- Nicknames: The Great One, 99
- Teams: Indianapolis Racers, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers
Social Media
A Career in Ice Hockey
Gretzky’s hockey career began in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Because the NHL had a rule against signing players under the age of 20 to a roster at the time, Gretzky, already a hockey prodigy, looked to the WHA for a chance to play and was eventually signed by the Indianapolis Racers. Even with Gretzky, the WHA and Racers were losing money as a viable alternative to the NHL. Gretzky was sold to the NHL and joined the Oilers after only eight games in order to recoup some of his money.
Gretzky then spent nine years with the Oilers, where he established himself as one of the all-time greats. He played for the Los Angeles Kings for eight years, the St. Louis Blues for a half-season, and the New York Rangers for four years after leaving the Oilers, although he only won two Stanley Cups with the Oilers.
Titles and Honors
Throughout his career, The Great One received an incredible number of prizes and distinctions. To begin, he was named an All-Star in 15 of his 20 NHL seasons. In his career, he won four Stanley Cups, all with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky won nine Hart Memorial Trophies, the NHL’s Most Valuable Player award. He has received two Conn Smythe Trophies, which are awarded to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals. Gretzky also received ten Art Ross Trophies for leading the NHL in scoring during the regular season.
Even more insane, Gretzky has four of the top four slots for the most points in a single season, as well as nine of the top eleven. Gretzky was unanimously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as soon as he became eligible.
Personal Life
Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Hockin gave birth to Wayne Gretzky on January 26, 1961. Gretzky has three brothers, Keith, Glen, and Brent, and one sister, Kim. Brent is the only one of his brothers who has ever played in the NHL. Gretzky married actress Janet Jones on July 16, 1988, at a star-studded wedding in Edmonton attended by many high-profile guests, including his childhood hero, Gordie Howe. Gretzky and Jones have five children. Ty, Tristan, and Trevor are the couple’s three sons, and Paulina and Emma are their two daughters.
Following his retirement, Gretzky ventured into the wine and spirits industry with the Wayne Gretzky Estates in Canada. His business has two locations in Canada. One of these sites is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, while the other is in Okanagan. He began his first work in sports broadcasting in 2021 as an analyst for the NHL on TNT.
Interesting Facts
- Gretzky was so powerful in his prime that fantasy hockey gamers would separate him into two individuals. There were two options for Gretzky’s goals and two options for Gretzky’s assists. These two entities were often the first and second picks in the draft.
- No other player in NHL history will wear 99 because of Gretzky’s incredible career. His number was retired by the NHL in 2000. The only other player with a similar amount of respect is Mario Lemieux, who wore 66 and, while not officially retired, is known to no longer wear that number.
- Wayne and his brother Brent have the most points scored by two brothers in NHL history. This statistic demonstrates Wayne’s actual greatness, as they keep this record despite Brent having only four points in his whole career compared to Wayne’s 2857.
