55 shades of Great: Random facts about Wayne Gretzky on his 55th birthday
6. Being around The Great One: It never ceases to amaze how Gretzky handles himself around fans; it is routine for him to be interrupted repeatedly for an autograph or a picture. He never says "No." He always makes time for fans. What he learned from Howe and Jean Beliveau was to remain humble and always make sure to sign a proper autograph. He earned his nickname for his brilliance on the ice but the moniker also reflects the manner in which he has been an ambassador for the game off it. To this day.
9. Never drafted: With all the hype surrounding big-name prospects today, you would think that Gretzky would have been a No. 1 draft pick. But he was actually never drafted by an NHL team. Gretzky was playing in Edmonton in the WHA when it merged with the NHL in March 1979. Each NHL team was allowed to claim two players from its WHA roster, so Gretzky moved to the NHL without going through the draft.
31. Legends on Ice: Getting a "Legends on Ice" T-shirt that featured Gretzky and Howe was usually a big thrill for hockey fans.
39. Helping hand: Gretzky also holds the record with 1,963 career assists. His assist total alone is enough to make him the leading points scorer.
Complete list (ESPN.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment