Wayne Gretzky once said, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been”. This quote helps represent how he was always looking to be the best.
Wayne Gretzky was a star from the start of his life. He was a natural born leader, and had a successful career while being a leader. Wayne was first a leader at a young age, then he was a leader in the National Hockey League, and finally he was a great leader as a coach in the National Hockey League.
Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario on January 26,1961 to Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Leone Hockin. He was raised in a family of seven. He had one younger sister named Kim, and three younger brothers named Keith, Glen, and Brent. Wayne started to become affilliated with hockey at
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He was a natural leader on the Oiler’s from the start. He was a good leader who showed through example. He tallied just as many goals and points as he did during his dominate younger seasons. During Gretzky’s first season for the Oilers, he tallied 46 goals and 110 points. It was shortly after his MVP, 110 point season, that the Edmonton Oilers joined the National Hockey League, and on October 10, 1979, Wayne’s legendary career in the National Hockey League began. Gretzky was a very hard worker on the ice even though his skill was superior to most players. His hard work and leadership earned him many trophies and records starting with his rookie season. He managed to score 51 goals in one season which put him in the records as the youngest player, 19 years old, to score 50 goals in one single season. He also started his streak of winning eight straight Hart Trophies after the 1979-1980 season. Some players may have been satisfied with winning awards and trophies, but Wayne became even more hungry for success. His second season in the league, he started his seven year streak for winning the Art Ross Trophy. The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the top goal scorer in the National Hockey League. Not only did he win the Art Ross trophy after his second season, but his stats also secured him a spot in the record books AGAIN! He set a record for most assists in a single season at 109 assists, and a record for most …show more content…
Shortly after he retired, he was named the Executive Director for Canada’s Men’s Olympic Hockey team. Gretzky used his great leadership skills to help guide the team to winning Gold Medals in 2002 after a 50 year drought. It is easy to see that Gretzky’s presence helped end the streak and earn Canada a medal. While Gretzky had acquired his position with the Canadian team, he also took a position for the N.H.L.’s Phoenix Coyotes. He first bought part of the Coyotes before eventually becoming the team’s head coach in 2005. He made his coaching debut on October 5, 2005. Just three short days later, he recorded his first win as a coach when his team took down the Minnesota Wild. Gretzky then took a step back from the game he loved to be with his ill mother who passed away on December 19th. He then jumped right back into the hockey world just 9 days later after his mother’s passing. With the knowledge Gretzky was able to give his Coyotes during the 2005-2006 season, they were able to improve and win 16 more games than their previous season with a different head coach. It seemed to be wherever Gretzky was present, he could help any team
Maurice Richard was the hero of the French Canadian people and his dedication to his game was no different from the dedication to his family and his work and his love for the French Canadian people. He went on to win many awards in hockey and in his personal life that honored him as the role model for all French Canadian.
Sidney Crosby has played in tournaments representing Canada in all of them. He has represented Canada in juniors and men’s teams. For the juniors team he represented Canada in the U-18 Junior World cup in 2003. Than he represented
Don grew up playing hockey, for he was playing in the OHL by the time he was 17. Unfortunately, Don never made it big, but he managed to make his way around the minor league system for a good 15 years. He played a few games in the NHL, attended many training camps, but nothing to brag about. But, that is where Don is different, for he will brag about his days on the ice. He will let every one know about his toughness, grit and determination. After his days as a minor league player, Don was hired on as the head coach for the Boston Bruins, where he experienced much success including a coach of the year award in 1976. It was in 1984 where Don found his true calling though, for it was that year where he accepted a job on the popular Hockey Night in Canada.
Did you know that Wayne Gretzky holds more records than any other hockey player that is currently playing or has played?? According to Gretzky, Wayne started playing hockey at just six years of age. Biography.com states that Gretzky was ready to play in the NHL but his age created a problem in the beginning. Gretzky confirms that Gretzky holds the most records compared to any other player and had many capabilities on the ice. Gretzky states that Wayne has won many awards throughout his career, some he has won multiple times, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after retirement. According to Biography he couldn’t stay away from the sport, he became a coach and part owner of a team. Biography states that Gretzky now has a restaurant and winery, along with information from Gretzky saying he has a youth camo and a foundation. Wayne Gretzky was an impressive hockey player that has
The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.
One minute and fifteen seconds into the second overtime. Game seven. Scoreless. The puck is grabbed by the Red Wings left defenseman, he feeds it over across the ice. Gretzky stabs at it deflects it wide. Steve Yzerman grabs it, he skates past the Blues right-winger. He brings it past the the Blues’ blue line and Winds up for a slap shot. He fires. It is a laser beam of a shot. The puck flies in the top right corner of the net, bar down. John Casey has no time to react. The Red Wings have won. Steve Yzerman is the hero. Perhaps one of his most famous goals in his career, Steve Yzerman lead the struggling Red Wings to success. The longest serving captain in the NHL, “Stevie Y” earned his way to the top with his work ethic and leadership. The game of hockey was changed forever by the imprint that Steve Yzerman left on the game. He used his determination, love of the game, and natural leadership to impact hockey for the better.
By age seven he was already known to local sports press for his hockey talent. At age ten he scored an incredible 159 goals in 55 games playing hockey in his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. He had a season point total of 280 points (Sidney-Crosby.info).
One of the few great hockey stars of the generation of the late 1940’s is Bobby Orr. He was the youngest player to ever be elected into the hockey hall of fame which was at age 31 in 1959. Bobby Orr was a skilled player that was considered a magician on the ice. ("Orr, Bobby.") Bobby was a major attraction and he brought many people to ice arenas across North America, and when he was playing in a game their arena was usually a sell out to see Orr do his magic. ("Orr, Bobby.") He considered by many hockey players and fans one of the best defenseman to ever lace up a pair of skates. A great hockey player and human being, whose rise to the NHL, throughout his career and in his person life that followed was an impact to the community is Bobby Orr.
Jackie Robinson once said that “"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." (Brainy Quotes). Jackie Robinson faced more abuse than any other baseball player. Jackie Robinson had his mind set on breaking the color barrier for African Americans. Jackie Robinson had the muscle strength and talent to inspire and change the color barrier in Major League baseball. Jackie Robinson was one of the most significant baseball players that America has ever known for Jackie Robinson’s bravery to stop the color barrier for, his inspiration he gave to people all around the world and for his accomplishments during baseball and outside of baseball this made him one of the most valuable players in the National League.
Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Ozzie Smith, and Tony Gwynn; What do they all have in common? They are all some of the most famous African-American baseball players to ever play in the Major Leagues. One man, though, made it possible for all of them to play in the Major Leagues. That man’s name is Jackie Robinson. Although Jackie Robinson faced many adversities throughout his lifetime, he persevered and became the first African-American in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier and changing the world of baseball forever.
The James Norris Trophy is given to the best defender at the end of the season, and he won this award eight years in a row from 1968-1976. Bobby Orr was also rewarded with the Hart Memorial Trophy three times, which is for the MVP of the NHL season. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy twice because he was the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Since he had the most points at the end of one of his NHL seasons, Bobby Orr was given the Art Ross Trophy twice, and he won the Calder Memorial Trophy which is given to the most skilled player in their first NHL season. One trophy that all hockey players dream of holding is the Stanley Cup, and Bobby Orr carried it twice. One of his major achievements was getting inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in
Jackson, T., "NHL's Heroes and History - 1880 -1926 ," July 2, 2011, Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg9qBRs8sX4&feature=related.
Theo Fleury had a great hockey career starting in major junior by winning the World Cup, all the way to winning the Stanley cup. Theo was fast and fearless on the ice, many people thought he was too small to be in the NHL but he proved them wrong with his speed and skill. Theo had a rough life starting with family matters, and going all the way to what he loved to do best hockey. His dad was an alcoholic, selfish man and his mom was quiet, conservative, and an emotional wreck (Fleury 6). Theo had a big secret that he was keeping for many years and didn’t tell anyone, this secret caused him to get into drugs and alcohol. Theo was sexually abused when he was in the early stages of his career.
Wayne Gretzky played 1487 games scored 894 goals and assisted on 1963 goals for a total of 2857 points. Lemieux played 915 games scored 690 goals and assisted on 1033 goals for a total of 1723 points. These numbers are elite and some of the best all time in hockey. Although the total numbers may seem to favor Gretzky when points are divided by games played, the average points per game played are similar. Lemieux with 1.88 and Gretzky at 1.92 average points per a game played. A point per game for current players is considered elite. Gretzky had a relatively healthy career missing far fewer games, while Lemieux battled back injuries, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and eventually retired due to an irregular heartbeat. Had Lemieux been healthier and played more games the points per game shows he may have had similar total numbers to Gretzky. The style of power forward Lemieux played could have contributed to the back injury causing him to miss additional time. Yet still amazing numbers for a shortened career beset by injuries and illness. Considering where each player played during their career could affect how greatness is
hockey team. He wasan incredible teammate and outstanding player. He scored most of their goals leading up to this point. When his team needed him mo6st, he came through. Mike eruzione will forever be known as the “leader of the 1980 olympics” because he was the one that scored the winning goal. With ten minutes left on the clock, Mike Eruzione prevailed and helped his team.