Edmonton Oilers Legend Wayne Gretzky Named NHL Centennial Ambassador
By Eric Friesen
Edmonton Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky will be returning to the NHL in 2017 as the official ambassador of the NHL’s centennial celebration.
Over the past 99 years, the NHL has seen countless superstars come through the league, but none have shone brighter than No. 99. During his illustrious 20 year NHL career from 1979 to 1999, Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, put hockey on the map in Southern California with the Los Angeles Kings, played in 18 NHL All-Star Games and set 61 NHL records.
“The Great One” will be making appearances at various centennial events around the NHL over the next two seasons, which will begin with the Centennial Classic between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field in Toronto on January 1, 2017.
Since stepping down as head coach of the Arizona Coyotes following the 2008-09 season, Gretzky has not held any formal position with another hockey team but has been involved in several events with the Oilers and Kings, the two clubs he spent the majority of his career with.
When asked why this was the right time for him to return to the NHL in an official role during yesterday’s presser in Toronto, Gretzky said he was already planning on attending most of the major events, anyway.
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“I’ve always said this thousands of times: it’s the greatest game in the world. Everything I have in my life is because of the National Hockey League and the game of hockey. So when (NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman) called me a couple of months ago and asked me if I wanted to be involved I said ‘absolutely’.
Bettman said picking than Gretzky for this position was an easy choice as there is no player more fitting to represent the league during its most historic year.
“We are delighted that Wayne Gretzky, whose spectacular contributions on the ice matched his immeasurable graciousness and popularity off the ice, will serve as our centennial’s official ambassador as we honour all the drama, suspense, excitement and memories that have thrilled the best fans in sports for generations.”
Gretzky dominated the NHL like no player before or after him, but he never was one to demand or need the accolades and recognition. He was the ultimate team player, always giving his teammates the majority of the praise. In his typical Gretzky fashion, when he was asked yesterday which players would comprise his all-time NHL all-star team, the NHL all-time leading scorer modestly excluded himself.
“That’s hard to pick off the top of my head, but I would go with Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, Jean Beliveau and Gordie Howe,” he said. “Goalie, Grant Fuhr.”
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Every NHL player has a favourite moment, or two. However, for a player with as many memorable moments as Wayne Gretzky, even narrowing it down to his top 10 favourite goals, games or moments would be a daunting task.
“Well, I have so many,” Gretzky said. “My first game. My first face-off was in Chicago Stadium against Stan Mikita. And Stan Mikita was one of my dad’s favourite players of all-time. Lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time. Sitting at my first Maple Leaf game in 1967 with my grandmother in the last row of the grays and thinking this was the greatest day of my life.”
The 55-year-old Brantford, Ontario native remains a huge hockey fan to this day and said the two players he most enjoys watching, and who will be responsible for the growth of the game moving forward are Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.
“I think Crosby is the best player in the game. I think he’s the best player because he works the hardest, even though he’s talented and he’s got a lot of God-given talent. And I like Connor McDavid. I think this kid’s going to be a tremendous superstar and a great player for our sport for a long time.”
Next: Edmonton Oilers Drop Preseason Game to Vancouver
As hockey’s most recognizable name and face, Gretzky has, and always will as ambassador for the NHL. When you become so famous that people know you by your jersey number alone, you know you have made a lasting impact your sport. Gretzky always mentions how much hockey has done for him in his lifetime, but the argument could be made that he has done just as much for the game of hockey. He’s certainly done more for hockey, both on and off the ice than I could ever fit in one article.