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NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 05: Hockey player Wayne Gretzky attends the Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Nashville Predators Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena at Bridgestone Arena on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 05: Hockey player Wayne Gretzky attends the Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Nashville Predators Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena at Bridgestone Arena on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
The ice hockey career of Wayne Gretzky has been phenomenal, from start to finish. He was the youngest player (19) to score 50 goals in a single season. Additionally, holds the record for the most points in a season, along with 4 Stanley Cups under his belt. They also incorporated his name in the Hall of Fame and he retired with his jersey number 99.
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Underlining his great journey, Conan O’Brien, in an interview on YouTube, teased a peculiar effort of Gretzky’s opponents ahead of his retirement. Let’s find out what that was.
Opponents didn’t want to hit Gretzky
As per a recent interview by Team Coco, the 62-year-old revealed that his decision to retire was nuanced by his rival teams itself. Since ice hockey is a predominantly aggressive sport and injuries are inevitable, Gretzky’s opponents suddenly became protective. Apparently, in his last playing year, his adversary players began warning him amidst a game.
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“I was playing my last year and people I was playing against, before they would hit me they would scream my name and say: Hey heads up or Wayne get out of the way or here we are,” he said. And then he knew, “it was time to retire.”
Quite ironically, it was a heartwarming gesture by the players. Furthermore, it only reflects the amount of respect and honor the legend holds within the NHL sphere. However, the highest degree of honor he received was at the time of his retirement.
Wayne Gretzky retired with his jersey number.
Wayne Gretzky retired as an Edmonton Oilers player in 1999. Thus, as per a report by ESPN, after his official announcement, NHL retired his jersey number 99 from the league as a token of honor. Significantly, only two players besides Gretzky have received the same appreciation: NBA pro, Bill Russell and MLB player, Jackie Robinson.
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EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 6: Former Edmonton Oilers forward Wayne Gretzky greets fans during the closing ceremonies at Rexall Place following the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks on April 6, 2016 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The game was the final game the Oilers played at Rexall Place before moving to Rogers Place next season. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Moreover, the Oilers team also put out a giant banner donning his name and jersey number in the team’s signature colors. “I guess it’s only fitting that they’re parking me (the banner) behind that net,” he said.
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Only a few in the entire sports industry have received such heights of acclamations. Although there’s no doubt that Gretzky was more than deserving of it. The GOAT of NHL, Wayne Gretzky! Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Written by
Edited by
Akash Pandhare