Wayne Gretzky - The Great One

The Great One

Section A

1. Summary

Wayne Gretzky grew up in Branford, Ontario. When he was just three, his father made him an ice rink in their backyard. Gretzky was only seven years old when he scored more than three hundred goals in the season. Wayne Gretzky loved hockey and made it his life. His talent, diligence and perseverance got him into the National Hockey League at the age of seventeen and went on to win the Stanley Cup; he also won the Canada Cup. Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers for many years and became their star player. He went on to play for the L.A. Kings, St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers. Gretzky played for Canada in the Olympic Games and he not only received many trophies, he also received the Order of Canada. When we think of hockey we think of The Great One- Wayne Gretzky!

Wayne Gretzky Final Farewell at Madison Square Gar...

A statue, located outside Rexall Place in Edmonton...

Wayne Gretzky has had his number 99 retired league...

2. A. Diligence

Wayne Gretzky was not only talented but hard working too. When Gretzky was younger, he would show up for practices early. He would make sure not only to practice with the ream but also practice by himself every opportunity he had. Gretzky met Gordie Howe when he was eleven years old. Howe told Gretzky to, "keep inspiration working on his backhand". Those words from Howe are what Gretzky thought about all those early mornings on the ice.

B. Perseverance

Things did not always go smoothly for Gretzky, he had many obstacles to overcome. He traveled to cities by small plane and that is when Gretzky developed a great fear of flying. He had to overcome this fear in order to play in different cities. Gretzky's team did not always win, and the pressure was on the star player, number ninety-nine! Gretzky had...