[203] His temper boiled over after Canada's 33draw versus the Czech Republic, as he launched a tirade against the perceived negative reputation of Team Canada amongst other national squads, and called rumours of dissent in the dressing room the result of "American propaganda". Gretzky became known for setting up behind his opponent's net, an area that was nicknamed "Gretzky's office". [20], By age 10, Gretzky had scored an astonishing 378goals and 139assists in just oneseason with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers. [24], When Gretzky was 14, his family arranged for him to move to and play hockey in Toronto, partly to further his career, and partly to remove him from the uncomfortable pressure he faced in his hometown. 4:28 | March 5, 2021. The following year, as a 1516-year-old, he had 72points in 32games with the same team, renamed the Seneca Nationals. [126] His 17 points remain the most scored by a 16-year-old in the World Junior Championships. Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina delivered her baby with . On the advice of his agent, Gretzky picked the Oilers, but the move was not that simple. Analyzing Gretzky's hockey skills, he says, "What we take to be creative genius is in fact a reaction to a situation that he has stored in his brain as deeply and firmly as his own phone number." The family had five children, and they all played hockey as toddlers. [282][283] The Wayne Gretzky 99 Award is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. [219] In 1984, he travelled to the Soviet Union to film a television program on Russian goaltender Vladislav Tretiak. )", "Review: Wayne Gretzky writes hockey's history in 99", "Gretzky's book tops Canadian sales for 2016", "Wayne Gretzky endorses Harper despite not being allowed to vote", "Awarded Canada's top honour in 2009, Gretzky has yet to pick it up", "Does The Great One know about politics? According to Walter, Wayne was being "shopped" to Los Angeles, Detroit, and Vancouver, and Pocklington needed money as his other business ventures were not doing well. [14] The farm was where Wayne skated on ice for the first time, aged two years, 10 months. [28] With the third pick, the Sault Ste. Walter Gretzky, the ultimate Canadian hockey dad who taught and nurtured the Great One, has died. Him: "Which means" [126], Gretzky's international career highlight arguably came three years later at the 1987 Canada Cup. [165] Gretzky also excelled at box lacrosse, which he played during the summer. Nine out of ten people think it's instinct, and it isn't. [72] The Oilers also won the Stanley Cup with Gretzky in 1985, 1987 and 1988. . [207], Gretzky served as an ambassador to Vancouver's successful bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics,[208] and was named Special Advisor to Canada's men's hockey team at the Games. [150], Gretzky learned much about hockey from his father on a backyard rink at his home. [222] In December 2016, Gretzky appeared briefly in a cameo on a Christmas episode of The Simpsons as a winter character. The WHA completed the playoffs of its final season as planned. [204] The Canadian team won the gold medal, its first in 50years. "That's a hundred percent right. Gretzky led the tournament for the fourth and final time with 12 points in seven games. The Oilers went on to win their fifth Cup (and first without Gretzky). The event reportedly cost Gretzky over US$1million. On May 25, 2021, Gretzky announced that he would step down from his role with the Oilers, stating that "The Oilers, their fans, and the city of Edmonton have meant the world to me and my family for over four decadesand that will never end. You saw him but when you reached out to grab him your hands felt nothing, maybe just a chill." To stop them without it, that was interference. Widely considered to be one of the greatest hockey players of all time, he . In one of the snaps, the family were pictured in a living room. [162] He weighed "about 170 pounds" for the better part of his career. Wayne will be forever regarded as the greatest of all-time at his craft. "[164] His stamina is also indicated by the fact that Gretzky often scored late in the game. [203] American fans online began calling Gretzky a "crybaby"; defenders said he was merely borrowing a page from former coach Glen Sather to take the pressure off his players. Bassett saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect. (Nathan Denette/AP) Article. At coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.[30]. [181] Also in Edmonton, the local transit authority assigned a rush-hour bus route numbered No. [163] He consistently scored last in strength tests among the Edmonton Oilers, bench pressing only 140 pounds (64kg). Wayne Gretzky as an NHL owner and coach. [284] The Wayne Gretzky Trophy is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference. [159] But that year, Gretzky tied for first place in scoring, and won the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player. [2], Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky honed his skills on a backyard rink and regularly played minor hockey at a level far above his peers. "I went periodically," Gretzky said with a laugh back in 2018. Here are just 14 things the family hopes remains on the DL so as not to tarnish the Gretzky family name. [205], Gretzky again acted as executive director of Canada's men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, though not with the success of 2002; the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals and failed to win a medal. His mother was of English, and some Cornish and Irish, descent. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a press conference, frustrated with media and fan comments regarding his team's uninspiring 111 start. Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. [85] Walter Gretzky had known for months after having been tipped off by Skalbania, but kept the news from Wayne so as not to upset him. Gretzky's professional relationship with Keenan was thus never particularly warm, and the coach's public rebukes effectively ended any realistic prospect of Gretzky remaining in St. Louis once he became a free agent. [67] The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring, in addition to Gretzky, future Hall of Famers including forwards Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri; defenceman Paul Coffey; and goaltender Grant Fuhr. The Canadians had trouble with the big ice. 14/14 Reason For The Trade. By the end of the regular season, the signings of Gretzky and other young stars in addition to other factors had compelled enough of the hardline NHL owners to change their positions, and an agreement (technically recognized as the 1979 expansion by the NHL) was finalized. [137][138][139] His reading of the game and his ability to improvise on the fly were unrivaled, and he could consistently anticipate where the puck was going to be and execute the right move at the right time. [56] This victory propelled the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. [226] According to Gretzky, Jones does not recall his being on the show. Wayne Gretzky Family: Wife, Children, Siblings, Grandchildren, Parents. After losing the first game of a best-of-three final series against the Soviets, Gretzky propelled Canada with a five-assist performance in the second game, including the game-winning pass to Lemieux in overtime, to extend the tournament. That's all hockey is: open ice. So I had a long head start on everyone else. The Kings refused, instead offering Jimmy Carson. Wayne Gretzky @WayneGretzky . [240], In 1991, McNall purchased the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with Gretzky and John Candy as minority owners. He is survived by their five children: Wayne, Keith, Glen, Brent and Kim, and several grandchildren. Gzowski presented this theory to Gretzky, and he fully agreed. "[76][78] The rule was reversed for the 199293 season. Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones has been married since 1988, and their union has produced three sons - Ty Gretzky, Trevor Gretzky, and Tristan Gretzky - and two daughter named Paulina Gretzky, and Emma Gretzky. In 2000, the former forward was linked with a deal to become a part-owner, governor, and head of hockey operations for the Phoenix Coyotes. [104], On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the St. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson and two draft picks (Peter Hogan and Matt Zultek). The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen . Me: "Peel." Goalies called his shots "sneaky fast." "[149] Gretzky said he sensed other players more than he actually saw them. [213] It was preceded by the Mega Stars game, which featured Gretzky and many of his Oiler Dynasty teammates against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players (whose likes included Claude Lemieux, Guy Lafleur and others). [76][77] Gretzky held a press conference one day after being awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, criticizing the NHL for punishing teams and players who previously benefited. [147] "There is an unhurried grace to everything Gretzky does on the ice. It's like Larry Bird. He is in the NHL Hall of Fame, and is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players ever. Phyliss, his wife of 45 years, died of lung . His 50th goal of the season came on December 30, 1981, in the final seconds of a 75 win against the Philadelphia Flyers and was his fifth of the game. [171][172][173] The latter was traded with Gretzky in 1988 to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played the same policeman role for several more years. [108] Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15million with the Blues, and on July 21, signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier for a two-year, $8million (plus incentives) contract. Wayne Gretzky . Him: "If you get cut off, what are you gonna do?" [34], Gretzky scored his first professional goal against Dave Dryden of the Edmonton Oilers[35] in his fifth game, and his second goal four seconds later. 99 which also runs on Wayne Gretzky Drive for its commute. "[271] As a non-resident, Gretzky came under some criticism for this endorsement. Introduction. Lemieux scored to win the tournament for Canada; the play is widely regarded as one of the most memorable plays in Canadian international competition. [3] Gretzky is the leading goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in NHL history,[4] and has more assists in his career than any other player scored total points. [175], Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999, becoming the tenth player to bypass the three-year waiting period. Trevor is the most successful sibling . Chicago coach Mike Keenan said it best: "There's a spot on the ice that's no-man's land, and all the good goal scorers find it." [26] The Gretzkys won, and Wayne played Junior B hockey with the Toronto Nationals, in a league that included 20-year-olds. Every time he took the ice, there was some spontaneous decision he would make. Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and head coach. Gretzky did not attend the Coyotes' training camp, leaving associate head coach Ulf Samuelsson in charge, due to an uncertain contractual status with the club, whose bankruptcy hearings were continuing. I'd get up in the morning, skate from 7:00 to 8:30, go to school, come home at 3:30, stay on the ice until my mom insisted I come in for dinner, eat in my skates, then go back out until 9:00.[155]. [21] Gretzky said he would have voted Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe as the best of all time. Wayne Gretzky: Family and Education. That's what made him such a phenomenal player. In the first photo, the family were pictured in a living room. For only the second time in his NHL career, Gretzky finished second in scoring, but narrowly edged the Pittsburgh Penguins' Mario Lemieux (who scored 199points) for the Hart Trophy as MVP.[94]. [269], In 2003, while not criticizing Canada for declining to participate in the invasion of Iraq, Gretzky praised President of the United States, George W. Bush, and his handling of the conflict, saying: "the President of the United States is a great leader, I happen to think he's a wonderful man and if he believes what he's doing is right, I back him 100 per cent. [145] Statistics support the contention: whereas Phil Esposito, who had set the previous goal-scoring record, needed 550 shots to score 76 goals, Gretzky netted his 76th after only 287 shotsabout half as many. [200] There was uncertainty about Gretzky's role[201] until it was announced on May 31, 2006, that he had agreed to a five-year contract to remain head coach. After winning the first game of the series by a score of 41, the team lost the next three games in overtime, and then fell 41 in the deciding fifth game, where Gretzky failed to get a shot on net. [64] For the first time in his NHL career, Gretzky was not named captain,[111] although he briefly wore the captain's "C" in 1998 when captain Brian Leetch was injured and out of the line-up. [248] He has endorsed and launched a wide variety of products, from pillow cases to insurance. [32][33] Skalbania opted to have Gretzky sign a personal-services contract rather than a standard player contract in part because by that point it was well known that a majority of NHL owners, if not yet the required to add new NHL franchises, were willing to absorb at least some WHA teams. [91] Large cheers erupted for his first shift, his first touch of the puck, his two assists, and Mark Messier's body check of Gretzky into the boards. On 26-1-1961 Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario. "From the age of 3 to the age of 12, I could easily be out there for eight to 10 hours a day", Gretzky has said. [175] He stressed the need to play and practice hockey for the love of the game,[176] and felt that skill was more important to develop than talent and that Canada had the potential to be world leaders in skill development. A great athlete, he shared his genius with the world of Ice Hockey.The legend is frequently seen talking about his family. WAYNE GRETZKY AND JANET JONES' CHILDREN. Fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin compared attempting to hit Gretzky to "wrapping your arms around fog. Him: "Which way?" In place of the lyrics "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", Bryan Adams ad-libbed, "We're going to miss you, Wayne Gretzky". [102] During the 199495 NHL lock-out, Gretzky and some friends (including Mark Messier, Marty McSorley, Brett Hull and Steve Yzerman) formed the Ninety Nine All Stars Tour and played eight exhibition games in various countries. Walter Gretzky, CM, OOnt (October 8, 1938 - March 4, 2021) was a Canadian philanthropist who was best known as the father of Canadian ice hockey icon Wayne Gretzky.. An avid hockey player as a youth, and a keen analyst of the game, he built a backyard rink for his children, and coached Wayne continually from the age of three, devising creative exercises and drills, and teaching him profound . [9] Gretzky became executive director for the Canadian national men's hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics, in which the team won a gold medal. He left behind his five adult children and 13 grandchildren. [51] In the first game of the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs, against the Montreal Canadiens, Gretzky had five assists, a single game playoff record. The skills with which he played earned him the nicknamed . Dryden wrote in his book The Game, "In the past, defenders and teams had learned to devise strategies to stop opponents with the puck. "He'd score six or seven points on him. [244] The pair also owned Thoroughbred race horses; one of them, Saumarez, won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1990. He won a record nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. [280] The Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship and performance, was presented to Gretzky five times between 1980 and 1999. But now, if players without the puck skated just as hard as those with it, but faster, and dodged and darted to open ice just as determinedly, but more effectively, how did you shut them down? Wayne Gretzky is regarded as the greatest professional ice hockey player of all time by sportswriters, players, the NHL itself, and the Canadian ice hockey magazine The Hockey News. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Wayne Gretzky, former National Hockey League player, speaks during the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series at The Show in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. . [241] The club won the Grey Cup championship in the first year of the partnership, but struggled in the two following seasons, and the partnership sold the team before the 1994 season. 18. [234], Wayne Gretzky's uncle, Al Gretzky, ran as a Conservative candidate in London West in the 2006 federal election and for the libertarian Freedom Party of Ontario in the 2013 provincial by-election for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. [14], Walter taught Wayne, Keith, Brent, Glen and their friends hockey on a rink he made in the back yard of the family home, nicknamed the "Wally Coliseum". Trucking magnate and Arizona Diamondbacks part-owner Jerry Moyes was added to the partnership. They all wanted to play like Gretzky. instagram.com. Just move the puck: give it up, get it back, give it up. [144] Because he was so light compared to other players, goalies were often surprised by how hard Gretzky's shot was. [249][250] Gretzky is a partner in First Team Sports, a maker of sports equipment and Worldwide Roller Hockey, Inc., an operator of roller hockey rinks. 0:35. [110] The Rangers were defeated in the Conference Finals in five games by the Philadelphia Flyers, despite Gretzky leading the Rangers in the playoffs with 10goals and 10assists. [214] The family moved into a house on Varadi Avenue in Brantford seven months after Wayne was born, chosen partly because its yard was flat . "Gretzky" redirects here. Speaking of Paulina, she and golf player Dustin Johnson have been in a relationship since 2011. He originally wanted to wear number9for his hockey hero Gordie Howebut it was already being worn by teammate Brian Gualazzi. [126][128], Gretzky debuted with the Team Canada's men's team at the 1981 Canada Cup. [120], The final game of Gretzky's career was a 21overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18, 1999, in Madison Square Garden. The eldest sibling, Wayne is an ice hockey legend who needs little introduction. [177] The Hall of Fame then announced that he would be the last player to do so. Turner Sports has reached a multi-year agreement with Wayne Gretzky to be a studio . Wayne Gretzky, a former Canadian ice hockey player known as "The Great One," has a daughter named Emma. In addition, Gretzky tallied over 100points in 16 professional seasons, 14 of them consecutive. [116], The 199899 season was his last as a professional player. Gretzky informed McNall that his prerequisites for a deal to take place were that Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski join him as teammates in Los Angeles. [271] Earlier in 2015, Gretzky endorsed Patrick Brown during his successful campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. [125][126] He went on to lead the tournament in scoring with 17 points to earn All-Star Team and Best Forward honours. "I do! It marked the first time Gretzky did not finish as the tournament's leading scorer with seven points in eight games for fourth overall. Gretzky would later remark that the Soviet National Team's practice drills, which impressed Canada in 1972, had nothing new to offer him: "I'd been doing these drills since I was three. "Wayne Gretzky was one of the most accurate scorers in NHL history", said one biography. I hope Canadians understand that. Gretzky's wedding to the then-Janet Jones was . The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20, but the WHA had no rules regarding such signings. The NHL retired his jersey number 99 league-wide, making him the only hockey player and one of only three players in professional sports history to receive such an honor, along with Jackie Robinson, whose uniform number 42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997, and Bill Russell, whose uniform number 6 was retired by the National Basketball Association in 2022. The rule change became known as "the Gretzky rule. Me: "Get over there and intercept it." In a recently published video, the Gretzky's seen participating in a family baseball match where everyone looked very happy while playing. [40] The WHA All-Stars were coached by Jacques Demers, who put Gretzky on a line with his boyhood idol Gordie Howe and Howe's son, Mark. Gretzky told journalist Scott Morrison that the final game of his career was his greatest day. It was the 16th time in 19 seasons that Gretzky earned at least a share of the league lead in the statistic. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he held 61 NHL records: 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 All-Star records. It's anticipation. Wayne Gretzky will eventually leave his fortune and many assets to all five of his children and his two grandchildren. 36. While Skalbania knew it was unlikely the Racers would be one of these teams (in part because the WHA insisted that all of its surviving Canadian teams be included), he still hoped to keep the Racers alive long enough to collect compensation from the surviving teams when the WHA dissolved, as well as any funds earned from selling the young star. Published Aug 7, 2019. The league, which at one point iced fourteen teams, was down to seven surviving franchises. The reality is: If Wayne Gretzky's son can't hit a curveball as well as the next kid, then Wayne Gretzky's . [199], On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes' holding company, Dewey Ranch Hockey LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He was adept at dodging checks from opposing players, and consistently anticipated where the puck was going to be and executed the right move at the right time. The Wayne Gretzky International Award is presented by the United States Hockey Hall of Fame to honour international individuals who have made major contributions to the growth and advancement of hockey in the United States. Brantford further inducted Gretzky into its "Walk of Fame" in 2004. The 13,000-square-foot property located in Thousand Oaks includes six bedrooms and . [75], In June 1985, as part of a package of five rule changes to be implemented for the 198586 season, the NHL Board of Governors decided to introduce offsetting penalties, where neither team lost a man when coincidental penalties were called. "[82], At the same time, Gretzky recognized the contributions of their coach in the success of the Oilers: "Under the guidance of Glen Sather, our Oiler teams became adept at generating speed, developing finesse, and learning a transition game with strong European influences."[83]. [114] Along with Jaromir Jagr, he topped the NHL in 199798 with 67assists. His first taste of Ontario Hockey League (OHL) action had actually come a . The Canadian coach, Punch McLean, was originally sceptical of Gretzky's ability as he was the youngest player to compete in the tournament at the age of 16. He was unsuccessful both times. Seven months later, Gretzky joined Team Canada for the 1982 World Championships in Finland. [103] Finally, in early 1996, Gretzky requested a trade. That includes Wayne Gretzky's oldest daughter, Paulina Gretzky, who has been a singer, model, and actor, and is also known for her long-time relationship with golfer Dustin Johnson. That's my whole strategy: Find Open Ice. [127] Canada finished with the bronze medal. He retired from international play holding the records for most goals (20), most assists (28), and most overall points (48) in best-on-best hockey. Love you all, 33 years Happy Anniversary." Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones attend the "The . Given the pandemic and other life changes, I realize I will not be able to dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization. The 33-year-old daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky posed for a photo with one of her pals during her recent getaway, and rocked a pair of form-fitting SKIMS shapewear for the snapshot. In 1980, when an exercise physiologist tested the recuperative abilities of all of the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky scored so high that the tester said he "thought the machine had broken. Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian-born retired professional hockey player and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $250 million. [80], "He was, I think, the first Canadian forward to play a true team game", said hockey writer and former NHL goaltender Ken Dryden. The men including Wayne, two of his sons Trevor and Ty, and his grandchildren Tatum and River, who belong to Paulina stood . Courtesy Heritage Auctions While they were using all this energy trying to rattle his teeth, he was just skating away, circling, analyzing things."[140]. [154] In his autobiography, he wrote: All I wanted to do in the winters was be on the ice. 31. I got it from my Dad. [144], He also had strong general athletic skills. [16] Wayne was a classic prodigy whose extraordinary skills made him the target of jealous parents. The Gretzky Family (Instagram) Similarly, Trevor Douglas was born the third child and second son on 1992 September 14, 14. [92], The Kings named Gretzky their alternate captain. Under the agreement, the WHA agreed to fold after the 1979 season with the Oilers and three other teams (the Hartford (New England) Whalers, the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets) joining the older league as expansion franchises. "[80], In this, Gretzky added his considerable influence as the preeminent NHL star of his day to that of the Soviets, who had also developed a more team-style of play, and had successfully used it against the best NHL teams, beginning in the 1972 Summit Series. Marie, a northern Ontario city that inflicts a heavy travelling schedule on its junior team. [109], Gretzky ended his professional playing career with the New York Rangers, where he played his final three seasons and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997. An ownership dispute involving Research in Motion's Jim Balsillie (with the intention of relocating the team to Hamilton, Ontario) and the NHL itself arose, which eventually ended up in court. [279] In addition, he earned the Lester B. Pearson Award (now Ted Lindsay Award) on five occasions; the award is given to the NHL's "most outstanding player", as determined by National Hockey League Players' Association members. [39] The line did not score in the final game, but the WHA won by a score of 43. He was 82 . [56] He won his second straight Hart Trophy. Using this approach, the Oilers, led by Gretzky, became the highest-scoring team in NHL history. Wayne hails from a large family of five children. By the time I was ten, I had eight years on skates instead of four, and a few seasons' worth of ice time against ten-year-olds. Having debuted his ice hockey career at a very tender age, Wayne Gretzky played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999. The Kings now boasted of numerous sellouts. He is one of the best ice hockey players of all time. He said that many of his advantages were a result of his father's brilliant coaching. Gretzky captured nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player, 10 Art Ross Trophies for most points in a season, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP and five Lester B. Pearson Awards (now called the Ted Lindsay Award) for most outstanding player as judged by his peers. By the final round it was Wayne Gretzky who assumed the leadership both on and off the ice. [285] The Edmonton Minor Hockey Association also has an award named for Gretzky. He scored 37points in 31games for the team in the regular season and the playoffs,[64] and the Blues came within one game of the Conference Finals. Born in Brantford, Ontario in 1961, Wayne Gretzky learned to skate on a rink his father Walter built in the family's backyard. [117] As the season wound down, there was media speculation that Gretzky would retire, but he refused to announce his retirement. Wayne Gretzky is famous for his contribution to NHL. . This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31million loan with the Alberta government-owned Alberta Treasury Branches. [53] The season still stands as the highest point total by a first-year player in NHL history. [259][260][261][262] Gretzky has other restaurants opened in 2016 at the Edmonton International Airport and named No. I saw him do it night after night. [42], On Gretzky's 18th birthday, January 26, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 10-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history at the time) worth C$3million, with options for 10 more years. Although the game involved two American teams, both national anthems were played, with the lyrics slightly adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure. [213], Thirteen years later, on December 31, 2016, Gretzky participated in the Winter Classic Alumni Game, which was held between teams of former Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues players two days before the 2017 Winter Classic.