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Ordinary guy with extraordinary talent

Broadcast Date: Nov. 8, 1977

At 16, Wayne Gretzky is a legitimate celebrity. As shown in this 1977 CBC Television clip, news of his astounding talent is drawing record crowds. Legions of adoring fans greet him at hockey rinks, airports and even on the streets. Gretzky is the main attraction for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, one of the top teams in the Ontario Hockey Association. Despite all the fanfare, Gretzky shows remarkable poise on and off the ice. He is patient with the media as well as the onslaught of autograph-seekers.

The pimply-faced teenager says he's getting used to the pressures of being one of the most talked about hockey players in history. Even his parents seem to have confidence in their son's ability to deal with the deluge of demands. What really concerns Gretzky isn't the hype but gaining weight. He tells CBC's Peter Gzowski how his slim 160-pound frame has earned him the nickname "pretzel" from his teammates.

Ordinary guy with extraordinary talent

• During his one and only season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Gretzky set a new franchise record, scoring 70 goals in 64 games.
• Gretzky started wearing number 99 while he was a Greyhound. He wanted to be number 9 as a homage to his hockey hero Gordie Howe, but it was already taken by another player. The first time he wore 99, he was teased but managed to score three goals. From that day on, Gretzky has always worn the number.

• In Gretzky: An Autobiography Gretzky wrote how he would switch team jackets with goalie Greg Stefan to get a break from the autograph-seekers. Stefan and Gretzky were about the same height and had the same colour hair. Stefan even signed autographs on Gretzky's behalf. The only problem was that Stefan signed Gretzky with an "s" instead of a "z." Gretzky later laughed that there must be people out there who believe he's so dumb he can't spell his own name.

Ordinary guy with extraordinary talent

Medium: Television

Program: 90 Minutes Live

Broadcast Date: Nov. 8, 1977

Guest(s): Wayne Gretzky

Host: Peter Gzowski

Duration: 9:00

Last updated:
Dec. 19, 2003