Topic spans: 1960 - 1988
The Great Wayne Gretzky
By now it's practically hockey legend. Wayne Gretzky started playing the game in the backyard rink built by his dad. It marked the beginning of the most spectacular career in hockey history. From the time Gretzky donned his first pair of skates at age two to the shocking trade that took him south of the border, we look at how the "Great One" set the bar higher for Canada's favourite game.
Wayne Gretzky photo from the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
16 television clips
8 radio clips
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
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24 clips in this topic . page
Television
5:26
This 1970 documentary profiles 22-year-old Bobby Orr, already the NHL's premier defenceman, on the verge of winning his first Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins.
Television
10:21
Former NHL superstar turned Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman describes the type of NHLer he wants at the Olympics.
Ordinary guy with extraordinary talent.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Dec. 19, 2003.
[Page consulted on Feb. 12, 2012.]