Rogers Place will be Connor McDavid‘s arena. But for one day, the rink belonged to Edmonton Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky.
Gretzky was in Edmonton on Thursday for the official opening of Rogers Place and to make his first public appearance at his new restaurant at the Edmonton International Airport, which opened last week. “The Great One” took to the ice at Rogers Place for a brief skate along with his sons Ty and Trevor, as well as Oilers’ Owner Daryl’s Katz’s children, Harrison and Chole.
“The Great One” took to the ice at Rogers Place for a brief skate along with his sons Ty and Trevor as well as Oilers’ Owner Daryl’s Katz’s children, Harrison and Chole.
Shortly after taking a whirl around the Oilers new home, Gretzky was on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer to discuss his thoughts on the new building, the direction of the hockey club moving forward, the upcoming World Cup of Hockey as well as his younger brother Keith Gretzky joining the Oilers organization as Assistant General Manager.
While discussing his first skate at Rogers Place, Gretzky was certainly more bullish on the ice surface and the building in general than on his own playing ability.
“Well, the ice was probably pretty good. The guy skating on it wasn’t quite as good as I used to be,” Gretzky said jokingly. “It’s pretty spectacular. The whole atmosphere and ambiance of the building. It’s a pretty special place and it’s a place Edmontonians are going to be very proud of.”
Gretzky has been close friends with Katz for many years and always believed that his contributions to the team would go beyond the on ice product.
“I knew that his involvement in the Edmonton Oilers was not going to be just with the hockey team itself. The arena itself is so spectacular I can’t even describe it to people. I’ve had the opportunity to go through it a couple time now and it’s pretty overwhelming.
“And it’s pretty exciting that the young talent that the team has now that hopefully, the light is at the end of tunnel, as far as getting the team in the right direction, winning some playoff games and ultimately another Stanley Cup.”
Gretzky re-wrote the NHL record book during his nine NHL seasons as an Oiler at Rexall Place, formerly Northlands Collesium, and while he was sad to see it go, he knows this new facility is something the team needed.
“It’s sad and disappointing when there’s so much history (at Rexall Place) and the atmosphere was so spectacular, but times change,” Gretzky said. “I’ve been in some beautiful buildings, but I’ve yet to see one that matches up to this building.
“I think (Rogers Place) is something that people will be talking about in this country. Not just in Edmonton and Alberta, but I think all Canadians will be talking about what a great project it is.”
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Like most Oilers fans, Gretzky is very interested to see how the 23-and-under North American squad matches up against some of the heavy hitters such as Canada, USA and Sweden in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, which gets underway next Saturday.
“We know one thing, they’re definitely loaded with talent and skill. They lack obviously a little bit experience, and that may become an issue as the tournament moves along. But you can make up for experience with enthusiasm, and hard work and desire.
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“I think they’re going to be a tough team to beat. I think they’re going to be a tough opponent. It should be a heck of a tournament and I’m looking forward to it.”
With the name Gretzky, many would think Edmonton is the last place Keith would want to work, having to live in Wayne’s shadow. However, Wayne believes that Keith has earned this opportunity and will thrive in the enhanced role with the Oilers.
“(Keith) has a passion for the game. He really understands the work ethic that’s involved in getting players and player that come have to have that same work ethic,” Gretzky said. “He’s really carved his own path. He did a nice job for the Boston Bruins with Peter in Boston. I know he’s really fired up about it and this opportunity for him and I just think the future is just so bright so this organization.
“I know for years we’ve commented on (the Oilers showing improvement in the standings), but I think right now there’s no question that is one of the better young teams in hockey and I think the sky is the limit for this group. I hope they have a great year.”