Wayne Gretzky: I played in the right era, it's harder to score now | SportsPulse

SportsPulse: We sit down with "the great one", Wayne Gretzky. Despite his incredible career, he explains he had the same anxiety as anyone else in the NHL. Gretzy also reflects on how the game has changed since he left the ice and talks about who he thinks is the greatest hockey player of all time.
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[@consciousphilosophy-ericva5564]

Wayne is unbelievably selfless, and humble - truly, a class act.

[@dzanier]

Hockey has never had and will never have another asset as precious as Wayne Gretzky was and continues to be. He really is as nice as he seems.

[@andytaylor1588]

I met Gretzky a couple of times. Once when he was drunk and vomiting, LOL. I helped him get home, a few blocks away. He remembered me and said hi at a grocery store. I stopped watching hockey seasons when he was traded, just for shitz n giggles.

[@FacePalmTheWorldArmy]

@Mike music and how is this different from sports "entertainment" today?

[@dominiclaporte8040]

Doesn`t look like a humble guy to be honest. He never smiles and when he does it doesn`t look natural.

[@FacePalmTheWorldArmy]

@@dominiclaporte8040 ah, the demons of a billionaire lol

[@ronnie_5150]

Michael Jordan called Gretzky the greatest athlete in the history of sports. Yet Gretzky remains humble, soft spoken and almost downplays his greatness. Pure class.

[@petergazer9135]

Who on earth would believe gretzky was the greatest athlete? He was a good hockey player not really a crazy athlete lol wtf

[@ronnie_5150]

@@petergazer9135 Well, I just said who; MICHAEL JORDAN. Going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing he knows just a little more about sports than you.

[@petergazer9135]

Ronnie Jay jordan doesnt believe that and by thinking gretzky is even an average level athlete i can tell uve never played sports a day in your pathetic insignificant life

[@ronnie_5150]

@@petergazer9135 I looked at your picture and realized I was talking to a child. too funny.

[@ronnie_5150]

Whats your sports credentials? Pee Wee tee ball?

[@Ry-ss5dz]

Why not just have 1 chair and have Gretzky sit on the interviewers lap?

[@DaBesFish16]

Ry lol right

[@rogerm2420]

Ry hahaha nice one

[@peter5807]

I bet Gretzky can smell his breathe.

[@jsquissato]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@derek6115]

Or have the interviewer sit on Gretzkys Lap

[@elliot5631]

Their chairs are pretty close😂

[@bazz8938]

1strawberry _milk1 ...they get closer after each scene change, a bit like Chris Griffins bedroom scene with old Herbert in Family Guy.. and if you listen really closely near the end.. Gretzky farts and then in the next shot the chairs are definitely further apart.

[@seanwebb605]

@@bazz8938 The interviewer would have inhaled deeply and told Gretzky that it was the sweetest fart ever.

[@stevep927]

No wide angle lenses available

[@seanwebb605]

@@stevep927 A wide angle lens has nothing to do with it.

[@stevep927]

Ok I give why are they sitting on top of each other

[@ripapa6355]

Just push the chairs a little closer.

[@GodWeenSatan]

Or get bigger ones

[@kazim4734]

@AI Martins what r u on about lol

[@Devlins10]

Lol

[@RealThermoguy]

I lived in Edmonton and Gretzky was a neighbor when the Oilers were young. You would see the players everywhere and I even sat with Wayne for a bit having a beer. He was humble and a great ambassador of the sport. I would drop several sticks and books at his office to sign for kids and he always stepped up. I watched him break some of those records. When he got married to Janet, the neighborhood made extra space for the parking for guests. When we were having that beer I pointed to the first Stanley Cup ring he was wearing and asked if I could see it. He took it off his finger and gave it to me to look at. Classy guy and I will never forget Edmonton when they won that first cup. Horns were beeping across all of Edmonton and a very proud city it was. Wishing his and his the very best.

[@paulbenipal6299]

I live in edmonton . Is it ironic that I m watching this while drinking 99 whiskey..

[@RealThermoguy]

@@paulbenipal6299 While I work around the world, Edmonton and outside areas is home.

[@darkoanton5]

His dad is well known, of course, and you can see where he gets his character.

[@RealThermoguy]

@@darkoanton5 I have a book Wayne signed for me and reading it confirms what you say. Walter worked for Bell, drove a used car, rink in the back yard, did all the driving for the boys playing hockey, etc. Wayne's book would talk about his dad doing the early hours taking his boys to hockey. An amazing dad and parents that worked hard. The book also tells about the brothers arguing as brothers do and one of them opened the front door to their house and threw the others shoe out the door. It hit the road and a car came to a halt, grabbed the shoe and drove off. When Wayne made big dollars he took his parents to look at a big house worth big money but the folks didn't want it. Wayne ended up paying for a reno on their old home. I wasn't a personal friend of Gretzky, we were neighbors. I worked for charities and would take books and sticks to his office to sign for boys. He always signed them. It was such an experience to see Sather build that team. We would get tickets from the Renford Inn and watch them break records. Tickets cost us 5 dollars:) You are right that the fruit never fell far from the tree. When Pocklington sold Wayne to LA, Bruce McNall was such a class act he told Wayne he didn't have to stay in LA. He could go play where he wanted. Edmonton as a whole was shocked and pissed at that sale, people wore Jerseys that were half Oiler and half LA.

[@darkoanton5]

@@RealThermoguy , they are humble, hard-working people.

[@glenwalters8333]

All professional athletes should watch this interview. The epitome of humbleness and class. He never took anything that he accomplished for granted and it's all about the team.

[@mufasaunleashed]

the intelligence of Gretzky`s game really sets him apart. The guy was way ahead of his time with skills, leadership, playmaking, that you really cant compare him with the others. he changed the sport and probably could play with a blindfold on. Go back and watch how well he handled the puck even compared to most players now adays. always in the right spot at the right time.

[@benjamingoward6340]

@ wow, didn't think anyone could hate Gretzky. why so salty?

[@kelex12]

Darren Robinson Ha! Maybe Gretzky wasn’t hit as often but he made moves and faked out players that had their heads spinning. He did stuff on the ice that could never be duplicated. He was a magician with the puck. His passing skills were incredible and so creative. Not even players today can pass like he did. He was a speedy skater with a deadly accurate shot. He was not just standing in front of the net waiting for the puck, lol. Watch this video of Gretzky highlights and see for yourself what he was all about. Just amazing to watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHTVhpalq85raJI

[@canoeman1961]

One thing that he did that few others have done is spend hours per day on skill-set development. Some Russians in the 1970's probably had the same path, but were not able to demonstrate those talents on a comparative ice surface in the NHL until they were nearly over the hill. It's like the best pianist … practice, practice, practice.

[@aspiknf]

@AdoIf HitIer 卐 Wrong

[@russs7574]

Gretzky and Mario Lemieux (and guys like Crosby and McDavid, too) are both cast in that low-key, humble mold. It is one of the great misfortunes in hockey that because of injury, being in different conferences, and the fact that for roughly the 7 or 8 years of his career, the Penguins sucked, Gretzky and Lemieux very rarely got to play against each other. We saw what happened when they got to play together, though...absolute magic.

[@AmericanFarmerHVAC2024]

Every hockey player in the world should take some notes on how this man acts and behaves. A true class act. And legend.

[@iTheGeek]

Let's not limit it to just hockey players. Every sports star in the world should...

[@djsalose]

Thats the thing about hockeyplayers.. most of them are like this.. other sports should be looking

[@That90sShow]

bahahaha... The same guy that changed his contract after he found out Mario made more then him... Pure CLASS bud

[@godhere6459]

How about Bobby orr

[@tompaulcampbell]

@@That90sShow You don't like people, do you?

[@fawgy3702]

Their feet are uncomfortably close to each other...

[@Zbeeeb]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jonyfish8852]

LOL

[@1443kk]

Ferg y why is it uncomfortable

[@ShookOnesTO]

One of the greatest athletes of all time and the comments are littered with people talking about how close their chairs are.

[@gregkayser9906]

Shook Ones sad what people notice....this wonderful technology; this great interview...and yet feet too close together wtf

[@abdiver12]

It never fails to amaze me how incredibly humble The Great One is. He was like that when he was a superstar in the 80's and he's still like that today. A true champion on and off the ice.

[@russs7574]

I have been a fan of the Penguins since the entered the league, and as a kid, used to get autographs outside the locker rooms. Bobby Orr, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, Stan Mikita, Ken Dryden....there were all like that. And now, guys like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Connor McDavid are cut out of the same low-key, humble mold.

[@WayUpMedia]

So true about Gordie Howe, met him in a mall with my dad when I was an 11 year old hockey player. He told me when he was about my age he started helping his dad with the yard work carrying big bags of concrete around the yard and thats how he got so strong and that was his advice to me. It was hilarious and I definitely had increased interest in yard work after that

[@mikes3827]

It's interesting that both Gretzky and Bobby Orr say Gordie Howe is the GOAT, while Howe says Orr is the GOAT, and on and on and on the debate goes. Personally, I think there's a "trinity" of pro hockey (Howe, Orr, Gretzky), and everyone else--with all due respect to the great Mario Lemieux--is just a rung below those 3.

[@JS-kb4bk]

@@mikes3827 What makes those 3 the authority on who's the best player? Keep in mind that Gretzky said Paul Kariya was the best player he's ever seen and that he would break all his records.

[@thebigpicture2032]

@@JS-kb4bk Kariya was an unbelievable player until his concussion. When he came back after a long rehab, he was just a good player and never fulfilled his early promise.

[@jacksmith5692]

I prorated Gordie Howe's 49 goals and 95 points in 70 games in 1952/53 to the era of Gretzky and it was 99 goals and 194 points in 80 games. Remember that Howe from 1949 to 1969 was a TOP 5 NHL scorer and then came back at age 45 in the WHA and had 2 years of 100 or more points and a 99 and 96 point year in under 80 games and in 1976/77 was hurt badly missing 18 games and still had 68 points in 62 games at age 48/49! Remember he was competing at age 51/52 against guys who played into the 21st century in Messier and Bourque and guys to late 90's like Gartner and Gretzky.

[@jacksmith5692]

@@mikes3827 Bobby Orr in the 1980's would of been a 200 point defenseman with 65 to 70 goals. Remember with a very bad knee he had 46 goals and 135 points in 1974/75 and the next year was able to play 10 games and had 5 goals and 18 points. Brad Park and Orr played 10 games together and Orr had 5 goals and 18 points and Park had 4 goals and 9 points! Bobby Orr with his speed and ability to stickhandle in the wideopen no checking 1980's wow!

[@jonathanbradley4896]

The comments: 10%: hockey/Wayne's career 90%: LOOK HOW CLOSE THEYRE SITTING

[@jeffmahoney1271]

He's too humble. No one did it before him and no one will do it after

[@Rileylmao_]

yeah because goalies actually now how to play now , Gretzky still a goat tho

[@TheSlithice]

@Josh derp You're probably 15 and never watched a game back in those days. Kids in college are better goalies now than they were back then in the NHL.

[@alecmorariu6291]

Josh derp players back then were shit at hockey

[@fabryouellet6903]

Josh derp lol they skate faster and hit harder...lol u a clown

[@DaBesFish16]

ovechkins gonna shock the world and break his record

[@Schnids1655]

Why are they sitting so far apart? Their knees aren't even touching.

[@ubercoolnamehere]

You need to watch more interviews that aren't in a studio because a majority of them sit roughly 5 ft apart. It's not surprising at all and you're trying to fit 2 people into the frame but not appear too far away.

[@MixerMadness]

Maybe host has a hearing issue

[@5000subsnovideo]

David P It was a joke

[@riche1673]

@@ubercoolnamehere Whooooosh

[@ubercoolnamehere]

@@riche1673 what

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Jeez, the more I watch of this guy Gretzky... the more I admire him on a personal level. "I was afraid of being cut from the team..." Wow.

[@jeffmejia111]

Gretzky--a far cry from "It's all about me" era we live in today . He's human and most likely not the perfect person people want to make him out to be but definitely a class act.

[@That90sShow]

bahahaha... The same guy that changed his contract after he found out Mario made more then him... Pure CLASS bud

[@Slipknot5301]

shut the fuck up boomer

[@thenman23]

this is why he's the GOAT and im not even a hockey fan but his accomplishments are insane

[@OVI-Wan-Kenobi-8]

4:44 Gretzky was NOT traded, he was SOLD.

[@kaylanschlosser3694]

@Alex K he didn't wanna play in la his wife wanted to be in la. Pocklington sold him to la to cover debts of his businesses in Edmonton

[@JumpIntoAction]

@Alex K Wanted to go to the Leafs

[@charterbus8484]

Alex K if you’ve seen the 30 for 30 you’d know he was in the room while his agent was talking to his GM who foolishly said the oilers didn’t really need Gretzky. When the phone call ended he looked at his agent and said get the deal done.

[@ronbonora7872]

@@kaylanschlosser3694 yeah with the Hong Kong Bank, I believe.

[@chardonnay5767]

Poor guy, had to live in LA as a millionare

[@ZITRO2NICE]

I could listen to Gretzky talk all day. A true class act.

[@That90sShow]

bahahaha... The same guy that changed his contract after he found out Mario made more then him... Pure CLASS bud

[@ZITRO2NICE]

That 90s Show yea, that guy.

[@That90sShow]

@@ZITRO2NICE The same guy that bet on the games with his wife? lmao

[@That90sShow]

@@ZITRO2NICE The same guy that pouted and boycotted the NHL after his Arizona Coyotes investment flopped, so the NHL eventually gave him millions and kissed his ass?

[@That90sShow]

@@ZITRO2NICE The same guy who's daughter got gang banged by the LA kings? lmao

[@stephanea5364]

What a class act. Who would be that humble.

[@RandomPerson-gn7fu]

stéphane A Sid is

[@sh-bf7bv]

@@RandomPerson-gn7fu Sid who? Surely your not talking about Crosby? Right?

[@CDellamarca]

@@sh-bf7bv you're telling me Crosby isn't humble. LOL

[@CDellamarca]

@@sh-bf7bv When have you ever seen Crosby talk about himself

[@sh-bf7bv]

@@CDellamarca lol

[@roycenundahl7368]

Gretzky once again proves that he isn’t only one of the best hockey players ever. He’s also a great person. 👍👍👍👍👍Good job gretzky.

[@roycenundahl7368]

arthur wiebe ok nobody asked

[@julesbadguy5878]

The little fuckers probably had it coming lol

[@1ericamat]

Wayne may just be Canada's greatest export and the classiest.

[@prayunceasingly2029]

Our oil (gretz was on the oilers hello) and timber WAS our greatest export. Not anymore because of retarded government.

[@rockport71]

After Rush

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@prayunceasingly2029 an American athlete would never say :"It was easier to score when I played". Imagine Wilt Chamberlain saying it was easier for him to score cause he was 7ft.1 inch. No way!

[@tinyGiraffasaurus]

agree. gsp is up there as well~

[@t3jf]

Second to only Bieber

[@athenasatanjesus]

WTF an athlete claiming that todays athletes have it tougher than he did, that never happens.

[@original6hockey402]

athenasatanjesus Players now are bigger, better, faster and more athletic in all sports.

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

@@original6hockey402 What?

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

@@original6hockey402 OK... never mind. When I first read your comment, I didn't read it correctly and thought you wrote something that didn't make sense but I just reread it and I see what you were saying. MY BAD!!!

[@original6hockey402]

Jim Morris I was born in Boston area in 61’, so grew up in Bobby Orr era. Hockey was great back then, but watch a Bruins game from 60’/70’s it’s like so much slower and the ice seems more like a football field there’s so much space. Not much space these days everyone’s so fast.

[@gates1272]

Dude played in a bubble, if Crosby, ovi or mcdavid had his protection they’d crush his records

[@paulh7589]

I love hockey. I played at a pretty high level (never went pro) had a wonderful time. My parents knew exactly where my brothers and I were at all times because we were playing either on a pond or a rink. From midnight to 6am the owner of the rink would let us have it. About every hour my brother would take the Zamboner out and give us fresh ice, put his skates back on, and then 25 guys would try to beat each other for the next hour. Many of us were on different teams during the day, but at the Ice Arena in the middle of the night team choices were random. My brothers and I played from 4 yrs old all through college, and my parents never had to worry about where we were. When we weren't playing for our organized teams, we were on the ice somewhere. I am now 55 yrs old. My oldest brother is 63. We still look back on those hockey days fondly.

[@nmonye01]

Most humble superstar. Genuine humility...remarkable.

[@canadiantraveller281]

Watched the game for 40 years and Wayne is the best I have ever seen. Lemieux had the most talent ; but Gretz worked so hard and had that 6th sense.... Beautiful player, person, and the best interview and promoter of the game ever.

[@RGM.13]

Mitch Marner up next

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Plus Gretzky had Sather up his ass all the time. If Gretzky scored 5 points in the 1st two periods Sather would give him shit if he wasnt scoring in the 3rd period. Now how many coaches are like that?

[@sammyweed4771]

Mike Bossy was fun to watch he scored at will, plus he has the Best Record of a ALL sports I think, 50 goals , 9 years Straight counting rookie year, never been done never will again.

[@russs7574]

I go back a bit farther than that...mid 60's to be exact. I loved watching Gretzky and Mario (fortunate enough to see Lemieux on a regular basis), but as far as the GOAT, nobody touches Bobby Orr....and this is coming from someone who truly despises the Bruins.

[@andrewgoodman4367]

@@russs7574 wondered how long before #4 got mentioned. Agree 100%. It's not even close.

[@JimMalmPHOTO]

I saw that Edmonton team do things - playmaking - that I'd never seen before or since. Gretzky was an absolute magician.

[@tsiaotsiao3906]

I grew up in Edmonton in the 1980’s. Nothing much exciting there. But the Oilers and the NHL during the 80’s was magical. It gave my generation such a fun childhood. Street hockey after school on cold nights, Sports Talk with John Short on 6:30 Ched, the excitement of opening a new pack of hockey cards, keeping up with the points leaders in the Edmonton Journal. Thank you Mr. Gretzky for the wonderful memories.

[@chroffe15]

One of the most humble sportsman of all time.

[@amazinmets8439]

Sad to see so many children here don't understand that Gretzky is just being humble. He's always been humble, which is part of the reason he's the greatest ever. Sad news for the kids who love Crosby and McDavid: Put both of them together and that hockey player STILL couldn't hold Gretzky's jockstrap. When you little ones grow up someday, you'll understand.

[@malmstring]

Gretzky performed in a sport that had a lot to develop at the time. He was 10+ years ahead of the sport in which he participated. You really can't get that far ahead of the others nowadays. People catch up to you, doesn't matter how good you are.

[@original6hockey402]

If Gretzky got hit/mugged like Crosby he would have those numbers. Gretzky was always protected.

[@amazinmets8439]

@@original6hockey402 many players back in the 80s tried to hit Gretzky. Problem was, they never could. He was a master at being elusive on the ice and that wouldn't change in today's game.

[@russs7574]

@@amazinmets8439 Come off it. Gretzky was elusive on the ice, but he had guys like Semenko, McClelland and Lumley, just to name a few, for bodyguards. I'm not one of those "little ones," you seem to be all to eager to sneer at, being a Penguins fans since the day the came into the league, but you are totally off base and full of sh** with your comments about Crosby and McDavid. Had they had the opportunity to play in that free-wheeling, wide-open, pre-trapping, zero tolerance for clutching and grabbing era, they both would have thrived just as much as Gretzky and Lemieux....just like Gretzky and Lemieux would be premier stars in the present era. The true greats would thrive in any era. I don't believe I can think of any Rangers that fit that description. A cumulative +/- of +24 for a 17 year career? For a defenseman? Really?🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@amazinmets8439]

@@russs7574 Crosby and McDavid would thrive in the 80s but not on Gretzky's level, which was other-worldly. If you really believe Crosby or McDavid would put up over 200 points a season, you're delusional. Sorry to hurt your feelings but Crosby would never come close to Gretzky's numbers in any era.

[@colinchaponis7600]

I don’t care what era it was, nobody in any sport was as dominant as Gretzky. He didn’t just break records he absolutely smashed them and set such a high bar for anyone to even come close

[@Yoseman1]

To be fair, he never really played the same game the rest of the players of his Era did. No one ever really touched Wayne. That should count against him.

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Come on! Not true! Lemieux and Orr better than Gretzky! In 1980s Gretzky's time NHL 8 goals per game! So easy to score! Goalies were bad and small! Ovechkin ERA only 6 goals per game! Much more difficult to score today! In 1980s Gretzky's time 90% of the NHL players were from Canada! Now under 60% of the NHL players from Canada! Much tougher league now! The Soccer game 250 million players! Gretzky's Canada only 650000 hockey players! That means The Soccer All Stars would beat Gretzky easily 100 game series 93-7!! Gretzky played only against players from Canada! Soccer 4 billion fans around the world! Cricket 2 billion fans! Gretzky can not be the greatest!!

[@Norton51]

He is so humble. Unbelievable! Of course it was easier to score in his area, but look at his insane numbers. Even in his era he was heads and shoulders above everyone. Only Lemieux was on his level. But keep in mind: There are only 2 players besides him with 100 Assists in a season. Bobby Orr and Lemieux did it once. - Gretzky has 11 seasons with +100 assists. Tells the whole story.

[@lucaandreoli6841]

Norton51 it was probably the same or harder to score in his era

[@fthechance]

Don't forget Bossy tho. Best goal scorer EVER...

[@viablenastys4955]

Listen nobody couldn't hit the man, of course he would score the most he was protected by the league.

[@sageantone7291]

Lemieux was not on his level. This is a self-refuting argument.

[@Norton51]

@@sageantone7291 I disagree. Lemieux had health problems all his career. between 88-90 he was most definitely on the same level. Dont get me wrong: Gretzky is the greatest for me, but I think Lemieux was probably the most complete hockey player ever.

[@psamba1]

If it was so easy to score during his era, than why were his numbers so far ahead of everyone else? His humility is what make him the Great One....

[@Rextum]

Gretzky is such a class act, giving such polite comments - a true ambassador of hockey.

[@leeham6230]

It's unfair to compare players across different eras.

[@leeham6230]

@Ego Debt How is athletic ability related to the amount of Stanley Cup wins? You are an idiot. A great player could be on a trash team, and vice versa. You are the last person who should have a voice in this, if you believe cups mean fuck all.

[@fireman4453]

@Ego Debt classic idiot. You can't compare eras because if it weren't for guys like Gretzky, the players in today's NHL wouldn't be where they are. He revolutionized the sport.

[@jasonballard2239]

@@leeham6230 Calm down, you seem like someone with Aspergers. He's right and you're just mad.

[@diablo_jambe1162]

5-Minute Experiments you do realize people more qualified then you have already done the math and projections between eras and Gretzky still comes out on top... clearly don’t know what you’re talking about

[@fawgy3702]

@Ego Debt You simply can't bring up team accolades into a player vs player comparison. With that logic Matt Cullen is better than Ovi.

[@James-bw1ps]

Wayne Gretzky you have always been my hero and always will be. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your father, I'm sure he's smiling down proud of his family and the legacy he left behind.

[@kevinparks5220]

May God bless this beautiful game of hockey and all those who have the amazing opportunity to lace them up and step on the ice.. I love Hockey so much and loved being a goaltender, best experience of my life by far...

[@Elfernan23]

Football (soccer) fan here but Wayne Gretzky is a well spoken legend. He is as big as any big football legends. Much respect.

[@fosterch11]

Walked with him around the Montreal FOrum once after a game- he pulled hi hat low and nobody recognized him. I could not believe it. And he was as everyone says- a nice, personable guy.

[@yeltsin6817]

I’ve always believed that Wayne was the best we ever saw. He changed the game so much that we do not realize. Defences got better he helped grow the game in the US, coaches in other countries watched him to learn what he did. Most importantly he is such a humble guy and knows it wasn’t just him. He did have great teammates that helped him. That’s teamwork.

[@gerardguitarist]

He's been a great interview since he was 16. GOAT. Obviously...

[@ctower23]

Not just the great one for his play. But for being so damn humble. Loved him more and more as years go on.

[@Frostyshard]

The great one is so humble!

[@TitleistGolf13]

Thats a great perspective! The athletes do keep turning out era after era!! Still feel the best hockey was back in Getzky prime with Brett Hull and Chelios and all them great athletes! Maybe bias with me growing up in that era of hockey, really awesome interview, really really enjoyed it

[@rs4619]

My respect for Wayne Gretzky has gone up immensely after I hear him say that it was easier to score goals when he played. I came to Canada in 2001 and being a sports lover, I took to Ice Hockey as a spectator instantly. Five years later I considered myself quite knowledgeable in the game after watching tons of videos of past players and watching the current players live on TV. I commented whenever the topic of Wayne Gretzky's records came up, that he would not have scored as many goals and points had he been playing today. I was vilified and cursed for that opinion. I have the same opinion of the great Sir Donald Bradman in Cricket. The reason is that players today in all sports are that much more fitter, bigger, athletic, etc. Just look at today's goalies compared to Gretzky's era. The goalies those days did not even know what the splitz was. The defense today is 100 time better than in the old days. Sir Donald Bradman did not face body line bowling as it is today, did not have to face the variety of spin bowlers as it is today (the doosra, the carom ball, the slower ball, etc.). The fielding and catching ability today is so amazing that sometimes it just boggles the mind. So that is why although it is a great achievement to hold records that were created previously, I do not consider those players to be the best that ever played the game.

[@braylen8444]

absolutely spot on!

[@matt75hooper]

Then you will have to account for this : The last 20 years many smallish men have won NHL MVP & Scoring Titles. Patrick Kane is 5' 9 170 pounds and ran circles around the league for 5 years. Martin St Louis won 2 scoring titles in modern hockey. Listed at 5' 8 180 pounds. Standing beside him I chuckled. He was more like 5' 7 170 pounds. Shall I go on ?

[@anonymousrex5207]

I had the privilege of watching Wayne play when I was a kid, especially being lucky enough to live in LA when he played for the Kings. The guy was so far ahead of everyone else on the ice it was ridiculous. He was faster, smarter and always had this way of seeing the ice like no one else out there. Despite being such a tremendous athlete he always remained humble like in this video and always talked about his teammates, those that came before (like Howe) being so good and never let the his ego take over. There is a great video from one of the all-star games some years back that is probably online that has Gretzky, Howe and Lemieux talking about the game and passing the torch to some of the young talent of the day. One of the coolest photos I have ever seen was a picture of Howe and Gretzky as a kid on the cover of a magazine talking about upcoming talents when Gretzky got so much attention in juniors... its just this heartwarming picture that really seemed to capture their friendship from an early point with Howe having a hockey stick around Gretzky and they both had this smile on their faces. One of the best parts about being a hockey fan is so many of the players are like Gretzky to this day... they genuinely are nice, humble and love taking time out to sign autographs or talk to fans.

[@GRUMPY656799]

So glad i got to see him play in person.. and meet him at TIP A KING... truly amazing memories of my 20's he was truly the best ever in this game.. no one will surpass him.... 61 records.... the best record INMOP is 50 goals.... in only 39 games... and 215 points... truly amazing player and human

[@campion04]

A great man owes firstly to truth. Good on him.

[@kevdonew1412]

he is simply the best to lace up a pair , never will be repeated !!

[@jasrod2012]

What an incredibly humble man. It’s a joy and a pleasure to listen to him any time. A sportsman in a league of one.

[@Royalsprincess1]

He always felt like he better play his best, no matter what the reason, he always went out giving every ounce left within him. that is something that we all appreciate, and that we need more of in this world.

[@xGSFxGoat]

He's right, the game back then was a lot slower compared to today

[@adventurefishing3190]

Slower but more physical

[@xGSFxGoat]

@@adventurefishing3190 Definitely true. More hits, more fights, etc.

[@adventurefishing3190]

@@xGSFxGoat i think gretzky would score 300 points in 2020

[@xGSFxGoat]

@@adventurefishing3190 I think he'd do well, but I think the goalies are a lot tougher to score on now. Back then goalies had small pads and mostly improvised, now goalies have a lot bigger pads and they play a more successful strategy of playing a hybrid between stand-up and butterfly. But I agree Gretzky would otherwise do pretty well in today's game: he'd be able to skate right past the other team, because nobody plays the body anymore, they try and poke-check and get burnt.

[@wowbruh2511]

@@adventurefishing3190 no, Gretzky would literally only only get 100-150 points on today era, just like every other star

[@jessclark2082]

god I love this man... what a gem.

[@markmcdonough5700]

Always humble and all class.

[@ronr3623]

"The great one" older looking Gretzky was awesome during the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, what made Gretzky so great was his ability to be at the right place at the right time and having Jari Cury beside him on the same line. Those two made a dynamic twosome that made some of best goals I have ever seen. I remember one goal when Gretszky was in front of Yari racing forward so Yari slaps the puck off the corner boards so Gretzky would not be off sides and that puck ricocheted off the corner board right in front of Gretzky some how and Wayne put it in the net for the perfect setup. I have never seen a repeat of that skill Yari had and of course the Gretzky magic show. Great Hockey at that time line IMO.

[@russs7574]

Being that the Oilers were in the Western Conference, us fans here in Pittsburgh didn't get to see those Oilers teams nearly enough. And we didn't get to see Gretzky and Mario play against each other nearly enough....even though Gretzky usually got the better of Mario because the Penguins were so damn bad pre-1990's. Those Oilers teams were so much fun to watch.

[@bizzcola1]

"I had this fear of having to go to the minors" cmon Wayne don't be too humble

[@theloniousm4337]

Yeah, I would have liked to have seen coach X make the statement, "we are sending Wayne down to the minors". The guy would have been strapped to the nearest rocket ship.

[@AC-wl7ve]

i think he just meant his mind set and that is a great way to think. its explains a lot, the guy clearly didnt take a night off.

[@mandoist]

Your division pretty much was "the Minors" back then!

[@MMGJ10]

He does pour it on sometimes for sure

[@eriklakeland3857]

@@theloniousm4337 every level he progressed - junior A or WHL or NHL - there was a huge media narrative of “he’s too small, he’s too slow, he’s no Gordie Howe” . There’s an amazing video of McDavid and Gretzky talkin hockey where Gretzky respects that McDavid had a completely different pressure of being consensus number 1 pick as a kid

[@bobbertee5945]

Being a Ranger fan my entire life, and with Gretzky playing out west most of his career, i never got to watch him play very often, when he came to NY even though he was in his later years, watching him play was unreal to me, u saw how he got all those assists, the man could put a puck on a teammates stick from any where, thru traffic, thru legs, over or under defenders...... forget about when he set up shop behind the net......... for those who never got to watch him play, Gretzky has double the amount of assists than the guy who is 2nd on the all time list....... crazy

[@Federico77777]

Wayne is very perceptive and honest athlete with incredible humility - class act. Not seen in sports a lot these days.

[@burnabyjoe3196]

Wow.. what a great guy to have represented as the best of all time for this game. Such a humble classy guy.

[@russs7574]

And then you compare that to all the chest-thumping, self-absorbed, self-aggrandizing divas in the NBA and NFL. There's something about hockey players, though....so many of the all-time greats are cut from that same humble, soft spoken mold. Mario was, still is, the same way, and so is Crosby and McDavid. Orr and Mikita and Lefleur were like that, and when you get right down to it, so is Ovechkin.

[@electricnorseman]

How about a front line of Gretzky , Messier (I KNOW they’re both “centers”) and Jari Kurri with Coffey and Lowe behind them and Fuhr in goal... that is pretty badass...Paul Coffey had 138 points in ‘85-‘86 as a defenseman...

[@willmpet]

It was after Gretzky but Edmonton played the NorthStars on the playoffs, and both teams skated end to end in the 3rd period. It was the very best hockey I ever saw!

[@larrytoporek4666]

As a kid growing up in the 80's every morning I'd read the box scores of every Oilers game from the night before just to see how many points the Great One had. He was the best of any era. Steve Yzerman gets my vote for 2nd best; he was a great leader. Mario Lemieux is 3rd another incredible hockey player...thanks Wayne!

[@jockejocke1]

I've loved to read hockey box scores my whole life, too. I checked them in the papers long ago, check them online now. It's probably the thing I like most about hockey, the stats.

[@markphillips2484]

Look Wayne you are and will always be the best hockey player ever don't downplay your impact

[@forktaildevil38j44]

When Gretzky came to the LA Kings I was an instant lifelong fan of both. This interview reminds me why. He' s not " the Great One" for nothing.

[@abba3629]

He is the King 👑 of Ice Hockey. Love From USA 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@RedroomStudios]

have to say that was probably the best Gretzky interview I have seen.

[@jsidhu1859]

He was on most exciting team ever to play. Loved the oilers.

[@erickouniakis5722]

Yes no doubt.!!! Watching these guys play in the northland's coliseum was so exciting. So many hall of famers on one team. A young team that broke most of the NHL record's.

[@lockandload8205]

Wow Wayne looks so much like his Dad! Outstanding Career !!!

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

And you are surprised, why?

[@lockandload8205]

Jim Morris ... Well of course he's going to look like his Father. It's just that Wayne is only 53 and his Dad was 81 when he passed. Wayne is looking a lot older at 53 that's all..

[@douggraves8958]

I was working in Edmonton when Wayne came to the Oilers. The first day he appeared at the Eaton's store and since I lived across the street I thought I would go over and have a look-see. I saw a skinny young fella sign anything anybody handed to him. I saw him play many time after that. He was a special Canadian.

[@lordstanleyjr2015]

So Humble.

[@thewalkingdunning-krugeref9664]

Wayne has always been a real one. I hate a "back in my day" mf.

[@zioncristwell6201]

@F ten they meant old people

[@EyeLoveTheStars]

@F ten he meant white guys like you.

[@patkane9902]

This just shows why he will always be the great one

[@bayharbourhoody]

Notice how he refers to it as 'our game' every time? How humble he is about literally shaping the game into what we watch today? Without a single negative word about other players or other people organizations? How he include everyone? How delighted he looks to see his incredible records broken? That's the great 1 baby.... and he'll always be.

[@GoldCountryTrapping]

I met Mr. Gretzky. He was my hero. He was bigger and better and nicer than i could have imagined.

[@theliftexpert]

Wayne Gretzky is the greatest Canadian role model to ever live 🇨🇦.....and he was undeniably the best hockey player in his era 👍

[@darkoanton5]

Gretzky is the best ever. Nobody else is even close to topping him.

[@darkoanton5]

​@Mr L Like they were any better in the 50s 60s or 70s when Orr and Howe played?

[@darkoanton5]

I'd agree that he wouldn't break the 200 points mark, but he'd eat this league up today.

[@darkoanton5]

If you take into account the GPP and the number teams Gretzky's point total adjusted when he scored 215 points would be about 144 when Crosby won the Art Ross in 2005-06 with 120 points. Also, Gretzky had 136 points in 79-80 with the expansion Oilers and was a +14. His next two seasons were 168 and 164 and a +41 and 212 and a +80. Did the goalies and defenses all of a sudden become the worst in history? The previous highest total was Phil Esposito at 152 and he played with Bobby Orr.

[@wowbruh2511]

@@darkoanton5 yes, but you literally just said "it's not even close" when Gretzky would seriously be like any other star in this era. Someone else would be considered the goat if greyzky played today. Whoever would have the records without gretzky

[@darkoanton5]

@@wowbruh2511 , it's not close. Just look at his goal total and point total were within three years of him joining the NHL. There were other players but they were not even close to his production. Only Mario Lemieux was near his level. Don't forget his eight Hart Trophies in a row and nine in total..

[@eslast6943]

Truly humble.....Respect

[@FrankPappacoda]

So much wisdom and respect for the sport

[@rjf7023]

I like how he put Pettersson up with those names

[@Droz75]

The most humble superstar of all time.

[@That90sShow]

bahahaha... The same guy that changed his contract after he found out Mario made more then him... The same guy that banned NHL after he lost Money from owning the Coyotes.. The same guy who was betting on the game with his wife.... Pure humbleness

[@canosisplays5152]

What always floored me was Gretzky’s creativity. Their are a lot of highlights where he would find ways to score in very unconventional ways. His vision and hockey sense would have made him great no matter the era imo.

[@paulhudson4254]

Wayne, Very humble, but you are “The Great One” Thanks for the memories! 🏒🤠🏒

[@UstashaMe84]

Good on him for keeping it all humble but I’m not buying it Great one, you the best there is the best there was and the best there ever will be!

[@svenwhitesell6005]

Wtf is this interview setup lol they playing footsies the whole time 😂

[@nickhogan6922]

So humble man makes me want start playing again

[@willp.8120]

Humility is a virtue.

[@breakaway2x]

There isn't any sport with a mega super star (arguably goat) athlete of all time, who is as humble and down-to-earth as Gretz. With everything he has done for the game, the records, the titles, the money and fame, he was and still is a little kid at heart who just loves the game of hockey with a passion and that's all there is to it. People interview him for decades now thinking he had some god-like powers to do what he did. No, he wasn't thinking anything like what all the questions they ask him are about....he was only thinking about how much he loves to play hockey. Believe it or not, that's the truth. Everything else is made up by the media and pop culture. There is another guy who reminds me of this same type, Crosby.

[@RHaines76Gaming]

I love that even the great one understands that he played in the highest scoring era ever. Still the greatest.

[@russs7574]

Something about hockey players and modesty. Mario Lemieux says exactly the same thing...well, he does in those very few interviews he does.

[@Paul-ew5st]

It would be hard to deny it was the highest scoring era by a big margin.

[@michaelh7125]

The most humble 'superstar' in professional sport

[@pauljames9576]

Such a great man!

[@guytitanic]

Skated on his rink today at Gretzky's Winery, it suppose to reminisce his backyard rink when he was a kid.

[@KapitanPisoar1]

He is talking about the best players without ever mentioning the two of the best Jagr and Hasek. I think he still holds the grudge for the 1998 Olympics and not getting into the final still hurts...

[@smokindragn1]

Don't forget Kurri, Gartner,Stastny,Dionne

[@TomasBaja]

I was thinking exactly the same

[@barn1980]

Jagr and Hasek's career both started in the early to mid 90's. Gretzky had played for almost 15 years before playing his first game against either of the two you had mentioned. He was speaking to predominantly dominant 80's players. He also didn't mention Mario, Yzerman and dozens of other dominant players from the 90's.

[@AstroTrain100]

4:00 LOL Dustin Byfuglien

[@jsquissato]

GREAT Interview!

[@bluefm7370]

In this part of the world people embrace perception over reality....Mr. Gretzky and Mr. Orr perhaps two of the greatest men in the public eye that played a game. As a BC boy I am grateful.

[@ramzi1979]

he will always be the chairman of the game!

[@kristophercantu297]

The best NHL spokesman in Hockey. NOBODY will ever put the numbers up of that Gretzky or Lemieux did, EVER!!

[@kristophercantu297]

(@55555 ) Harder to score? Roy, Brodeaur, Hasek, Vernon, Fuhr, Khabibulin, Belfour, Kolzig, Potvin, Joseph, Richter, Vanbiesbrook, and countless others? These guys are the best goalies in history of the sport, Lemieux was a goal scoring God. It just didn't matter what he was up against. He was that special. Remember Lemieux was the guy that changed the NHL, the clutching and grabbing is completely obsolete in today's game because of him.

[@billmcdonald4045]

Famous last words in time all thoses records will come down might take 1000 years or more

[@kristophercantu297]

(@55555 ) He's promoting the Game bro, Scoring is way up since 80-90s.. Lemieux would score in ANY era.

[@flyingscalpel7]

Cool guy man, god what a cool guy. A legend, really. And so well spoken.

[@dgcmusi]

A great interview...👍

[@wiiiz3]

It's gona be awkward when they stand up. Either they both get up & collide, or 1 has to stand 1st with the other guy's scotch straight to his face....

[@joelouis-arena4061]

well, you know, some guys like their scotch straight

[@vodkavohn4344]

Crotch

[@holup2691]

Joe Louis-Arena well done!