Class And Grace Billboard

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”  Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky was called the "Great One" as a hockey player. He began skating at age two at his grandparents' farm near Brantford, Ontario. He showed his skill early and scored 378 goals in a youth league at age 10. Gretzky started his pro career in the World Hockey Association in 1978. After one season the National Hockey League absorbed the WHA and Gretzky made the league switch as part of the Edmonton Oilers.

He very quickly became a superstar in the NHL, setting records at an unbelievable pace. He set an amazing record scoring 50 goals in 39 games in the 1981-82 season; tallied 92 goals in one season and posted a remarkable 215 points another season. He also led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the NHL nine times.

Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988 and introduced hockey to the southern California area. He finished his career with the New York Rangers in 1999 and still holds or shares 61 NHL records. Throughout his career, Gretzky conducted himself with class and grace and was a true gentleman off the ice. His love of the game showed in the way he played. "I love every part of (hockey)-skating, playing, (and) joking around with the guys in the dressing room," he said. Currently Gretzky is part-owner and head coach of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.