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
Prodigy on ice
Broadcast Date: Jan. 18, 1982
The kid definitely has what the interviewer describes as "God-given" talent. But, as shown in these early home videos aired on CBC, Wayne Gretzky has worked hard to develop his skills ever since he was two. Whether it's practising in the backyard rink of his Brantford home or becoming the top scorer for his town's Nadrofsky Steelers by age 11, there's no denying Gretzky's love of hockey began at a young age.Prodigy on ice
• Wayne Gretzky was born on Jan. 26, 1961 in Brantford, Ont. He is the oldest of five children born to Walter and Phyllis Gretzky. Walter, who worked for Bell Canada for over three decades, was Wayne's first hockey coach. Wayne has always credited his father as being the most influential figure in his life.• Walter Gretzky is often referred to as the ultimate hockey dad. Every winter he would flood the backyard, put up lights and set up nets so the neighbourhood kids could play hockey at what was dubbed the "Wally Coliseum."
• "All I wanted to do in the winters was be on the ice. I'd get up in the morning, skate from 7 to 8:30 a.m., go to school, come home at 3:30 p.m., stay on the ice until my mom insisted I come in for dinner, eat in my skates, then go back out until 9 p.m."
— Wayne Gretzky from Gretzky: An Autobiography, published in 1990.
• The first major newspaper article on Wayne Gretzky ran in the Toronto Telegram on Oct. 28, 1971. It was written by John Iaboni. Iaboni said he knew he was seeing something special when he saw the 4-foot-10, 70-pound 10 year old play for the Nadrofsky Steelers in the Brantford peewee league.
• Whenever young Gretzky scored a goal, he'd lift his knee and bring down his right arm like he was pulling on a train whistle. Gretzky started doing his famous kick at age 10 when he saw an older player do it and thought it looked cool.
Prodigy on ice
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Television Special
Broadcast Date: Jan. 18, 1982
Guest(s): Wayne Gretzky
Announcer: John Wells
Duration: 1:52
Photo: Walter Gretzky
Last updated:
May 5, 2008
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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.
Topic from Radio-Canada
External sites
gretzky · ice hockey · 99
Prodigy on ice.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: May 5, 2008.
[Page consulted on Feb. 9, 2010.]