The surprising reason why Wayne Gretzky didn’t like playing in Edmonton | Undeniable with Joe Buck

[@bowriver1]

That's Alberta class right there. In his last NHL game ever in Calgary, he got an 8 minute standing ovation. He broke flames fans hearts so many times over the years but they still showed him the respect he deserved.

[@rastapete100]

Wayne is a classy guy. He is from Brampton, a suburb of Toronto, so maybe it is Canadian class.

[@bowriver1]

@@rastapete100 Well he's from Brantford actually. Trust me, not all Canadians are created equally but, maybe you are right.

[@jerryrikki9466]

Its also because he is the epitome of what the Canadien dream is, what made Canada special was in Wayne Gretzky. Undeniable greatness, but a heart of gold. It never got to his head in the ways it does to other superstars. He was soft spoken and he was familiar, there was a guy like him at every church and hockey rink. He just pours out love and humility, and that's why to me he was different. Yes they were applauding his career but they were also applauding who he was as a human lol he's the closest thing to a Canadian superhero we ever had, and he was everything we could have hoped for as a man. The great one ❤

[@havenless3551]

Alberta and class in the same sentence is pretty funny

[@bowriver1]

@@havenless3551 only to the ignorant

[@richvail7551]

I smiled through the whole interview. It’s nice to see such love for a player and a for a player that can return the love back.

[@markphillips8097]

Click bait he did not like playing them because of the love he had for that team and the city

[@SirManfly]

Ya the header seems to imply something else, pray tell what? 🙄

[@johnrussell5896]

He'll always be the great one ninety-nine

[@pavlovshouse77]

Thanks, I won’t bother

[@pwrofrob]

I read it the same way. Bad title.

[@claude878878]

tell me about it. I HATE When they do crap like this.. It makes my blood boil. It's so desperate on their part for clicks and just makes me waste my time. I wish YT can somehow ban this type of behaviour.

[@georgecamero7888]

It goes to show how much Edmonton fans love Wayne and how much of a class act they are.

[@johnschuh8616]

He compares it like being a St. Louis Cardinal. Well. St. Louis named the new Mississippi bridge after Stan Musial! They might even have done it the Cardinals has traded him away to Philly toward the end. Gretsky is kinda like Musial isn’t he! But Musial really found a home in St.Louis. In a way that Pittsburg would not have if he had played there, so close to his home town.

[@archimedes2261]

Small towns are always friendly and appreciative of situations.

[@PrenthisY]

@@archimedes2261 Edmonton has a population of over 1 mil… not a small town but it has that energy.

[@nbarealtalker]

Gretz is the definition of a class act. His father raised him so humbly.

[@mtlienz2279]

its his dad who convinced him to not go to Detroit, trynna copy Howe instead to create his own legacy in another team, somwhere new and different. Gretkzy to LA helped grow the game in the USA west coast eventually leading to NHL expansion with SJ ANA. The NHL has tough time competing for sports market share in the USA and hockey is a very expensive sport, tough for American families to bring their kids into hockey camps, Gretkzy played a major influence in this happening over time, and of course the game being sold to the USA in the expansion era helps secure generational fans ;)

[@jamesd242]

his daughter is a mess

[@JimmyCroscill1970]

His public relations people have carefully crafted that image. What's sad is that he doesn't like women, he doesn't show them any respect.

[@mtlienz2279]

@@jamesd242who'se daughter in modern American culture isnt a mess. she looks pretty hot tho

[@GuitarMatt]

I remember getting Walter Gretzky's book on son Wayne from my local DC suburb library as a CAPS fan in the mid-'80s! Talked about the path to the top for the GREAT ONE (Back in the day when parents weren't such egotistical BOOMERS... signing off, a 1973 dude)

[@ryanbirch]

Grew up during the Gretzky/Oilers era and man.. I love this guy so much! 1987 Canada Cup, they had some exhibition games in Sydney, NS where I grew up. I'm 6 years old and my dad and I went all over town trying to get autographs. We finally caught up with Gretzky and crew in a local restaurant. Dad says to the hostess "my son is a huge Gretzky fan and we heard they're here having dinner. Do you think we could come in for an autograph?", she says "Yes they're here, let me go ask". Comes back a minute later "Yep, no problem! Follow me". Went in and talked to Gretzky for a few minutes - I had a Oilers hoodie/sweatshirt on that his number on the chest (along with a few others) - and he points to it and says "I like your shirt!". I can't even remember if I said anything back... just stood there like a deer in the headlights! He signed my autograph and then passed it around the table for the other players to sign (I legit can't even remember who the other players were - I was so in awe of meeting my childhood hero!), and thanked us for coming in. Soooo gracious!! I'll never forget it and I tell the story every chance I get! Talk about a core memory. Just love this man. I hope to meet him again some day so I can ask if he remembers... and thank him properly!

[@jasong428]

That....would be pretty damn sweet indeed

[@johnschuh8616]

Envy. I am not even a hockey fan, and I could tell how great a payer this guy was. And so he is a great guy to boot!

[@harveyotoole2029]

Great story, I was also at that game, they played against the Canadian Olympic team, in the third period, Wayne played wth the Olympic team.

[@snowmountainlion]

greatest crowd reaction for a return of a player on another team wow. that was a glorious response

[@billsouza4457]

As a life long Bruins fan I have to say I have always thought of Gretzky as an Oiler first.

[@AlmostReady504]

I always thought of him as a dick when he would eliminate the Islanders

[@thomasjefferson6]

To Billsouza4457: Deep down, so did Wayne. He has just kept this to himself for a long time.

[@MartyKeegan]

Always hated Gretzky because I was a Kings fan. I loved Marcel Dionne. I was angry when we got Gretzky. But how could you not be won over by this man's humbleness and kindness? I know for a fact that he overtips everyone he comes in contact with-- drivers, wait staff, and he is willing to stay in a place for hours to sign autographs for kids when they ask. A true gentleman.

[@jerryrikki9466]

It's so crazy hahaha if we're being honest it's crazy rare for all the sports superstars over the years. He was such a down to earth genuinely nice guy, he never got caught up in the fame, he was class. Only athlete like him today is Jude Bellingham, other athletes try to seem humble bless their hearts but it's an easy to spot act, you can't force it. To have it is a true gift

[@nameless_no_name]

" But how could you not be won over by this man's humbleness and kindness? " ......... Or you could be won over by the fact he is not only THE most dominant hockey player to ever to play in over 100 years of hockey, but many sports journalists rate #99 as the most dominant player in all pro team sports (yup! including Jordan, Namath, Babe Ruth, Pele ect.)

[@jerryrikki9466]

@@nameless_no_name it's both

[@Movie-Collectibles]

Gretzky was good at Baseball, too. ⚾😁

[@jays1752]

@@jerryrikki9466 Gretzky was nationally famous when he was 10. He could have become an egomaniac (so many have) but he never got poisoned by his status. The only other athlete that seems comparable is Roger Federer. I'm sure there are others but I'm not a huge sports fan anymore.

[@crashandburngaming5103]

I grew up in edmonton watching these greats play. It was sooo special watching them change the game. GRETZ, Moose, Andy, Coffey, ect. They still do alot of stuff here for this town. I see them once in awhile in Costcos or in WEM when they come back for charity events. Just saw Glen Anderson a few weeks back and had to shake his hand. Such nice guys. Cheers

[@joebutcallmejoey8869]

how did they change the game?

[@crashandburngaming5103]

@@joebutcallmejoey8869 The most obvious was the 4on4 rule. THey were so deadly with open ice that it was deamed unfair to the other teams because they were just too good. other players as well like Lemieux and Jagr were also instrumental in that rule. Gretzky trade to LA opened up expansion to the US as it brought alot of attention to hockey that was lacking. Baseball and Basketball were vastly more dominant than hockey in that era. THe league has basically doubled since then The 84-85 Oilers were voted the best team EVER in NHL history. Better than the Canadiens, Islanders Boston. THere is no denying that without Edmonton Oilers and Gretzky, there would not be as many expansion teams as there is now.

[@joebutcallmejoey8869]

@@crashandburngaming5103 the 4on4 rule apparently was rescinded in 93-93..to say they changed the game is a little dubious..u could say martin brodeur changed the game single handedly then..gretzky definitely had some influence, not so much edmonton, however, hockey is still the poor cousin in the usa

[@crashandburngaming5103]

@@joebutcallmejoey8869 i am a bit biased lol cheers

[@AlmostReady504]

Yes. It was the Golden Age of NHL. Here in the states I was an Islander fan with the likes of Mike Bossy ,Dennis Potvin, The Sutters, Billy Smith, Bob Nystrom, Clark Gillies. The list goes on and on.

[@vadermike7772]

I love the Messier story, how he warned Gretzky first before the check. It was a good clean (but also hard) check. That showed class, and respect, amongst friends, and fierce competitors.

[@isaiahstone4689]

Had no idea this was a thing in the NHL.

[@dimehigh]

😂😂, a true buddy, ole Mess. 👍

[@intellivisionmaster7999]

That was not a clean check. You can’t carry a player to the boards then flatten him. It’s clean so long as the ref doesn’t see it!

[@apointtomake1517]

Click bait title... The guy hated playing against the Oilers in Edmonton... The title makes it seem like he hated playing for the Oilers.

[@ryankirby8775]

I can’t stand that crap

[@brianfantana8510]

Liked playing for the Oilers, hated living in Edmonton.

[@tattletalestrangler]

Thank you, saved me four minutes of my life!

[@devilsadvocacy]

When the Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1990, two years after the trade, the first congratulatory phone call to their locker room was from Gretz. That says it all

[@spectralflop823]

He’s the reason why the Oilers have such die hard fans. Don’t live in Edmonton but I know that city is team Canada

[@c.s.7097]

lol😂😂😂

[@michaelsjarrett]

💯

[@busterscruggs3031]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@spectralflop823]

@@busterscruggs3031 team Canada forsure right ik

[@busterscruggs3031]

@@spectralflop823 team canadas down 4 goals...almost 5

[@Hallucination]

It was crazy how he broke the record by scoring to tie the game and all the Oilers fans cheered for him and then a fee minutes later he scored to win the game in OT and you can actually hear the fans boo. Haha!

[@darylwilliams7883]

The thing about Gretzky is that he's the quintessential Canadian Hero. Superior in what he does to every other player, but so humble and such a regular guy that anyone can just have a casual chat with him on the street, and I did. Canadians are different because we like our heroes humble and self-effacing rather than cocky and self-assured. And he IS.

[@tomsamuel77]

I am just ever so grateful to have been a teenager when Wayne entered into the NHL. I enjoyed watching him every week on Hockey Night in Canada, as well as live several times in Vancouver against the Canucks. He dominated most games I watched. I still remember how much he was admired EVERYWHERE. Such a genuine guy. Love you Wayne. You deserve every accolade sent your way.

[@stratovani]

Reminds me of the reception Guy Lafleur got when he returned to Montreal when he was a New York Ranger.

[@JudyPitcher]

Guy also got a standing ovation when he returned with the Nordiques.

[@ElizabethRobertson-b4z]

Funny... As I watched the interview, I remembered a front page of "Journal de Montreal" for that night's hockey game in the 80's. They were selling it as a duel, Lafleur vs Gretzky. Montreal lost that game, big time.

[@michaelbritton2331]

love you Wayne thanks for everything you did for our city Edmonton love you

[@mtlienz2279]

Oilers fans are some of the best hockey fans we got here in Canada. Ive always been fond of Edmonton & Oilers (as a Montrealer). It bit interesting, after Gretzky trade, Messier lead Oilers to 1 more cup and then another cup for the Rangers finishing with 6 cups total to Gretkzys 4 with the oilers.

[@notrussianbot7318]

Long time Edmontonian, we love Wayne, we always will. Thanks Wayne.

[@uscgbmcmretired2490]

Humility, sportsmanship, unequaled talent, a gentleman who loved the sport as much as fans loved him! The Great One!

[@mr.blackhawk142]

"unequaled talent,"???? There were MANY NHL players more talented than #99, however Gretz did more with what he had than any other player! For example Denis Savard was more talented but he smoked 3 packs a day! Bobby Hull had WAY more talent, but he was NOT protected by the NHL like Gretzky was! Lemieux was more talented also. Kent Nielsen too. That's off the top so far....

[@Kevin-xk8bs]

His greatness is undeniable ... but not the greatest. There was definitely a policy of not hitting Gretzky full out and that contributed greatly to his success. The '"in his office" behind the net stuff is proof of what I'm saying

[@uscgbmcmretired2490]

@@mr.blackhawk142 Ur crazy! Gretzky as an Edmonton Oiler was the greatest hockey player ever! 10 Art Ross Trophies, 92 goals in 1 season, most assists in a season 192, career goals 1,072, most assists career 1,963, most career Hart trophies 9, most career points 2,857, 3 consecutive 200 point seasons, 51 game point scoring streak, 50 goals in 39 games! Those are 10 NHL records he still holds! I grew up watching Dennis Savard in Chicago Stadium, loved watching him play, but 47 goals was the best he ever did/ 473 for his career while Wayne's career total's 1,072 - more than doubled Savy's total!

[@coastaku1954]

Nice bit of Clickbait there, trying to make it seem that he hated being an Oiler, when really it was him feeling uncomfortable playing in Edmonton... AFTER HE LEFT

[@evilchaosboy]

All I have to say about this guy can be said in two words... _"THE BEST"_ \m/

[@Asher8328]

"Click" meet "bait." Come on, this was a good interview overall. There was no need to pull a stunt like this.

[@stevencooke6451]

Such a misleading headline.

[@hughjass1044]

Yeah, should have said "didn't like playing against Edmonton."

[@BloggerMusicMan]

I think the title should be changed to "The surprising reason why Wayne Gretzky didn't like playing AGAINST Edmonton" because that's what the video is really about. I got the impression initially reading the title that he didn't like playing for the Oilers, which struck me as odd. Nevertheless, the video itself is very good, with interesting insight from Gretzky if you haven't seen him interview before.

[@spasiba12345]

Totally agree. Wayne Gretzky is a classy dude and loved Edmonton all throughout his years with the Oilers. He's such an ambassador for the sport, much like Magic Johnson is for the NBA. But yes, from a journalistic standpoint, the headline is misleading.

[@chrisg7731]

Yea I was like "Oh shit, Gretz didn't like playing for the Oilers? What???" And now I see that's the complete opposite meaning of the title haha.

[@marshallmykietyshyn4973]

That's the point of clickbait titles

[@AlA-ok5jh]

Wayne is a class act. God bless him and his family.

[@striperkid]

Messier gave him a heads up as they headed into the boards, and he really didn't crush him. Class act.

[@clarklarsen1973]

The title of this video is a bit deceptive. Based on the title, one might assume that Wayne Gretzky NEVER liked playing in Edmonton, but that isn't true. Gretzky is only talking about playing there after the trade that took him to the LA Kings.

[@josephgrosso8731]

Rangers fan here. Loved having Gretz for a few fun seasons, but always think of him as an Oiler! Lots of admiration for Edmonton fans cheering him breaking goal record as a King on their ice!!!

[@lindonezell4954]

GREAT LOVE WAYNE GRETZKY GOAT

[@todd3563]

Wayne Gretzky is like Bobby orr... Great, humble and a nice human being.

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Orr is so humble that he seems embarrassed when asked to talk about his accomplishments. Calling him a nice guy is an understatement.

[@jays1752]

@@humphreygruntwhistle3946 Yeah they were both definitely cut from the same Canadian cloth. Gordy seemed that way too. Thing with Orr is, he played in Boston, a wretched hive of scum and villainy, and yet he was totally unaffected by it. Still lives in that area. I used to see him occasionally (he doesn't live far from my dad and they share a mutual friend). Whenever I saw him I'd always call out "Number 4, Bobby Orr!" in my best Don Earle impersonation. He just smiles his "Oh shucks", smile.

[@PTBCANADIAN]

Misleading click bait headline. He didn’t like playing in Edmonton - AFTER he was traded. He truly loved it there and hated playing against his old team 🙄

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

The love for Mr. Gretzky in Edmonton is still strong. He will always be Edmonton's favorite.

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

I was a high school senior in Brantford when a friend and I went down to the arena to see this little 8-yr old everybody was raving about. He was skating circles around the other players and seemingly scoring at will. I remember he was written up in the Expositor after every game and was the talk of the town. I met him years later at a business event and we reminisced about his childhood in Brantford. Nice fellow.

[@fukyotits]

My parents a picture of Wayne when he was in edmonton going to the old fireside restaurant. Not a restaurant anymore but all the old oiler used to eat there. He is a humble guy!

[@algrundau9441]

Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and later Mario Lemieux....Hockey from that era could not have asked for better ambassador's for the sport. Wayne was truly amazing. On and off the ice.

[@edwardmylnychuk5774]

YEP GREAT SPORTS MEN WITH CLASS i was a leaf fan when younger but i appreciated class acts and quality players and they were some of the best, bobby orr was another one that should be included with them

[@algrundau9441]

@@edwardmylnychuk5774 Yes Bobby was another...Keep in mind Wayne was hated by many when he played...Kind of like McDavid today...Time gives proper perspective.

[@josephtedesco8429]

Loved that Mess gave him the heads up 😂

[@rgc1961]

B.S. title for an excellent interview. He didn't like playing AGAINST Edmonton!

[@loudechant7034]

I worked at The Boiler in the late ‘80’s and both The Oilers and The Kings came in after his first game back after hours and stayed until about 8:00 AM. Bottled beer cost $2.25 each in those days and he was paying for them with $10 USD’s, keep the change every time. Most players were tipping big, a couple tipped normal, a couple stiffers, but us 3 BT’s each made about $2500 in tips that night. That was serious coin for the times. I bought a motorcycle with my windfall.

[@garysofko]

Gretzky brought the Cup into the Boiler, I was there. Drank out of the cup. Absolutely the best tasting Champagne

[@MrFelix002]

its great to see this and i hated gretzky in his prime but now i realize the great talent that he had, now i'm older and have come to respect the great ones accomplishments, ive always been a montreal fan and always willl be but the oilers were f"n great to watch

[@wmarkdyer]

How could anyone hate Gretzky?

[@roberttooth360]

That was tough to take for Oiler fans. Big Larry Robinson first to give the G man a hug. He would know what Wayne ment to Edmonton as he got to play with The Flower for all those years. I never liked Montreal because they were so good and Lafleur was the best in the world before Gretz came along. Too bad Gil Perreault got injured playing with Wayne and Guy in 81 before the Canada Cup.Not too bad of a line I would say.!👍🏒

[@crashandburngaming5103]

I remember when that was announced....nobody could believe it here. Edmonton was stunned. Fucklington was the scourge of the NHL from then on. That was a tough summer to be an Oiler fan. But Mess and the others came back in 91 to show just how good they were, even without Gretz.

[@michaeljohnston8218]

Went to his first home game when he became a STL Blue. I felt like the standing ovation was for 10 mins. Never forget it. It was so loud for so long. Greatly deserved for The Great One!

[@erikpeterson25]

Love to hear this and understand his feeling when playing against the Oilers .. Wayne was a very exceptional talent 👏

[@Myr3390]

No matter where Gretzky's career lead him, he started here in Edmonton, he is and always will be an Oiler to all of us.

[@user-if8nz2yo5n]

An absolute legend. We miss you Wayne !!

[@ck4454]

Having lived in Brantford, ON (Wayne’s hometown and also running into and chatting with his dad a few times as he was often seen out and about in the community) for 20 years prior to moving to Edmonton upon retiring in 2020, I had not really followed hockey before moving here. It is nigh impossible not to get caught up in Oiler fever living in Edmonton especially after winning the western Conference finals last night at the Rogers Centre as I found myself jumping around my TV last night with tears in my eyes when they won. The fans, the cheering, the flags and excitement in the air are just amazing to me. It’s warms my heart to hear about Wayne’s sentimental feelings for this city.

[@RememberMe123-b4b]

This is exactly why Edmonton would never blame Connor for leaving Edmonton (I pray he doesn't). We would root for him, wherever he goes. We're not Toronto.

[@tman6663]

We will ALWAYS love you Wayne!!☝️👏🙋‍♂️

[@mmaben]

What a class-act man and a wonderful ambassador for the sport of ice hockey!

[@patbrennan6572]

My goodness this was thirty five years ago, can you believe how fast time goes as we get older?

[@sethother8012]

I love Wayne Gretzky. What a monumental life.

[@rname879]

I was at an Oilers game with my Dad in 1996, Gretzky happened to be in the crowd (private box) they showed him on the jumbotron, instant standing ovation, they had to delay the next play.

[@terrenceblake4024]

35 years in SoCal kinda makes his preference for place rather obvious.

[@dylangraham3535]

He still is loved in Edmonton.

[@soving]

Amazing guy, stil humble. Loved watching him play when I was in minor hockey.

[@carmenj5045]

That was the best team back in the day .. so many great fella son that team .. Edmontons glory days 😘🇨🇦💙

[@Michael-gc8gb]

Wayne Gretzky is the class of the NHL.

[@TOCC50]

He liked Hartford better

[@johndee1855]

No more need be said …

[@Slickfire6017]

He is a Trumper, only cares about his bottom line by supporting a vile human being.

[@garyk5277]

Very touching segment I must say.

[@michaelmacdonald7342]

The best hockey player ever, he is in a league of his own, I was never an Oilers fan and actually did not care for Gretzky because he was so dominate and played for a rival team, but gradually I started to be a fan because of his talent and his humility. He loves the game more than himself, he puts other players and the team ahead of himself, which is evident from his assist totals, but with all that he still reached ridiculous personal point achievements.

[@DarleneVermette-sw6wc]

Size of the city has nothing to do with him knowing where people sat. Every home arena would be the same.

[@shawnk1899]

well he never said it about LA or NY.. maybe the man knows something we don’t 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@alanstrong55]

It had to be a funny feeling for Wayne to visit his previous town and team. It would be that way for me. Edmonton seems to be a good place.😊😊

[@9921moo]

thankyou for talking the talk !!!

[@michaelmacintyre6996]

I wish more people showed class like those fans in Edmonton did, Gretzky is one of the most humble superstar athletes I have ever heard speak. Other leagues and athletes should watch some of his interviews and take notes.

[@JohnSmith-vw1pe]

Wayne Gretzky said he doesn't like playing against Edmonton he didn't say he doesn't like playing in Edmonton.

[@AlannaLarsen-c3o]

Gretzky wasn't traded to L.A., he was sold. That's what hurt the fans!! He is such a class act!! He came to Edmonton, he didn't make a big deal of it; unlike Eric Lindross when he refused to play in Quebec City when he was drafted. I loved it that a small market Canadian team was both revered and feared at the same time. I was an Oiler fan then, and I'm an Oiler fan now!!!!

[@66fitton]

Only a legend can score against the home team and have the crowd explode into a cheering frenzy! What a moment!!

[@VitoAnthonyD.-ow7oo]

That pass kept in my Duschene is now a penalty in the NHL for a hand pass. Happened to Marner against Coyotes to tie the game but goal was disallowed for keeping the puck in the Leafs zone. NHL is so pussified now.

[@darylwilliams7883]

I defy anyone to find anywhere in the history of sport a city that adored an athlete the way Edmonton adored Gretzky. And still does.

[@euclideszoto997]

I loved the part that when he came back and took the ice Messier warned Gretzky " I'm behind you!

[@seancronin2026]

Thanks saved my time

[@lisaryckman6095]

We always remember those moments that stop you in your tracks - and I remember hearing about Wayne being traded. I was in Quebec for a summer program. I saw the newspaper headlines and actually thought it was a hoax!

[@arkrazor354]

His time was up in OT of the point breaking game b/c he scored the GWG in OT as well. Arena was crickets.

[@TheWarawaj]

You will always be Edmonton's Champ!

[@jonw.3886]

Loved when Hockey Night in Canada would come on TV and Gretzky and the Oilers were playing that night.

[@lukeblersch1444]

Did the Great one JUST admitted resented the fact that he was ever traded completely Understandable Coming #99 the Great " Once an oiler an Edmonton guy For life nice!" "Gretzky is world class athlete then now for ever!"

[@larryk430]

I am not a hockey fan at all, and that still gave me chills.

[@kevinconnor3187]

He transcended his own sport, just like Jordan.

[@archimedes2261]

The title is deceiving. I was about to roll the punches against Gretzky, it turns out he hated playing against Edmonton, not the city.

[@nickokona6849]

That era of jerseys is my favourite LA Kings jerseys.

[@rdeh1678]

I wonder how well he would have done today with today's goalies, he still the greatest and I have a bunch of his hockey cards , as a canuck fan and season ticket holder watching him play was amazing , but when Pavel was playing against the great one was amazing

[@LastLetterisZed702]

Athletically speaking, from the same decades (1980's & 1990's) Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky are the 2 most naturally gifted athletes in sports history. If you watch MJ's videos of him in the 80's, he was absolutely amazing. Just like when Wayne scored 200+ pts multiple times.

[@ray8236]

Gretzky will forever be the Greatest Of All Time.

[@alextaylor3815]

I was at that game!!! My dad got us front row seats on the corner. Weirdest vibes that night. No one booed him.

[@davidd5407]

Him and those Oilers, man. The Chicago Blackhawks would have 3 more Cups if not for those guys. 3 times in the 1980s, they battled in the WCF. 3 times the Oilers won, then breezed past whoever came out of the East. Through it all, this man was always a class act. Humble as hell to meet and talk to.

[@beezer5623]

Wayne breaks the record, “hold my beer”. Adds another 1000 plus to it lol

[@sethother8012]

I love Wayne Gretzky. I wonder how many people he's made cry

[@stevejh69]

Class, Edmonton, CLASS! Unlike the San Jose sharks who booed during the Canadian National Anthem!

[@thomasjefferson6]

Gretzky not only scored the tying goal in that game to becoming the new all-time points leader (1989), he also scored the winning goal in overtime.

[@mudwiser1391]

He was a good player.

[@dougmiyamoto3109]

People don't understand how dominant he was. It would be like an NFL QB throwing for 7,000 yards and 70 TD's. Or an MLB player hitting over 100 HR's while batting 420. 40 years ago Sports Illustrated did an article about these kind of comparisons. It was crazy.

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

Why do so many KZbinrs feel the need to be deceptive in their titles? I don't get it.

[@chizorama]

As a great a player as he was he is equally a great ambassador for the game.

[@mellow-jello]

I remember watching this game, and thought it was weird. Did not know if I should cheer, or stay silent. Still looked out for #99.

[@Evocati-Augusti]

He wouldnt sign the deal unless Marty McSorley was included . McSorely was known as “Wayne Gretzky's bodyguard” because his role with both Edmonton and Los Angeles was simply to protect the Great One. Thats why he only got 18 months probation.

[@robertilardi6290]

He loved Edmonton and enjoyed playing there.

[@THELEAFSFAN]

How is that possible he was literally crying when he was leaving Edmonton

[@crashandburngaming5103]

lol. He loved playing here thats why. He was a massive influence here in Edmonton and the fans here showed it. He did alot for hockey but in Edmonton he is still and always will be an Oiler. That team would have won way more cups had Fucklinton not traded him cause he was a bad businessman. THey were truely one cohesive unit that was basically unstoppable. THe records show that undeniably.

[@jwilder2251]

Good analogy by Wayne to reference STL Cardinal baseball. Maybe the only “baseball first” city in the US

[@patrickr.5900]

My nephew's (Ryan) best friend (DJ) at the time went to a Phoenix Coyotes hockey game when Gretzky was the head coach (approx. 20 years ago). DJ was not a sports fan. Probably went to watch the Coyote's cheerleaders. Ryan called him the next day to ask about the hockey game. DJ mentioned that they ended up talking to some guy after the game was over at a restaurant or pub in the arena or nearby. Said they talked to "some guy named Wayne" for about 20 minutes. DJ had no idea they were talking to probably the greatest hockey player of all time. Gretzky only mentioned that he worked for the team. Never mentioned that he was the head coach or anything about who he was as a player. Humble superstars seem even greater than they were to me because they didn't show off or brag.

[@kingchrisepoo]

He showed what a class act should be as an athlete, from the small people to the top