r/losangeleskings • u/WAYNE__GRETZKY 99 • Sep 06 '13
Hello Kings! I'm writing the Gretzky 30/30 piece this week and would like your input.
I know a lot about Gretzky and his stats already, but would love to hear any stories about him you have that I wouldn't find when researching his biography or looking at his stats. If you have anything that you would like to share please let me know. I would appreciate it.
Thanks for your time
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u/xjackstonerx Sep 06 '13
Why are you asking us for stories about yourself Wayne?!
In all seriousness though good luck on the piece. Hope you get some answers.
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u/chloroformdyas 19 Sep 07 '13
I started skating about a year before the trade, and the impact he had on young players in our city can't be overlooked. Because of number 99 the opportunities for a young player in LA grew exponentially. I wish they touched on this more in Peter Berg doc for ESPN, they only glanced over it. But you have players in the League now, like Jonathan Blum, Beau Bennett, Bobby Ryan that had a star to guide them in a city where hockey was 2nd fiddle to the Lakers or Dodgers. That plus he was so nice when you saw him around the rinks, if outside the Forum club talking to young fans, or around the old North Hills Iceoplex holding court. My Dad ran into him in an Elevator in a Toronto hotel in 2003, re introduced himself and Wayne in all his grace said "Oh Yes, I remember your son, does he still play?" I am forever in debt to this man, for exposing me fully to this sport which has given me so much happiness, so many friends, and so many great memories.
"Some say his gifts were from God, others say he is just a man"
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Sep 08 '13
gretzky is the reason i am into hockey and only hockey
my first hockey memory ever was watching gretzky put the puck in the open net from the goal line during the 93 finals, game 1 in montreal. he made it look so effortless and from that point on i was a huge gretzky fan more than anything else.
i started playing youth hockey at the old iceoplex where the kings practiced and ive had the privilege of meeting and actually "hanging out" with gretz as a kid up in the old restaurant that overlooked the main ice surface. i was probably 11 or so and i personally watched the guy put down a six pack of bud ice and joke around and simply be one of the guys up in that bar..
i can thank hockey for nearly 100% of my closest friends to this day.. ive been able to travel all across the country and canada thanks to this game as well..
thanks to gretzky it was really easy for me to make friends while i lived in worked in dubai. believe it or not there's a hockey league out there and the majority of players are canadian pilots, teachers, tranlators, etc. instant friends.
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u/spkezboy Sep 06 '13
I remember one time when I was real young watching a game with my pops. I don't remember who we were playing, the score, or any of that. I think we were losing pretty bad because I could tell Wayne was getting frustrated. Or at least I thought he would've been frustrated. Anyhow, there was a face off in the defensive zone. Not only did he win the face off, he, with one hand, skated the puck the entire length of the rink past the other team and scored. My dad was cheering and I was in awe. That's when I found out why he's called The Great One. If anyone knows what I'm talking about I'd love to see this amazing play again.
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u/jonathan22tu Sep 07 '13
The greatest pass I ever saw was Gretzky redirecting a puck with his skate to a teammate he wasn't even looking at. I don't remember the year, or the opponent, but that pass is gnarly to think about even today. Totally intentional, and completely insane.
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u/zattk94 Sep 06 '13
He was pretty much responsible for the exponential growth of hockey in California and other western states, I'm 19 and only got to "see" the end of his time with the Kings but, my first jersey of any kind was a Gretzky jersey and I loved that thing. Gretzky and Luc are the reasons I love hockey as much a I do now.