Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961 in Ontario, Canada. He began skating at the age of two and by the age of six he began playing hockey on an organized team. When he was nine, he scored a total of 196 goals in 72 games. He became pro at the age of 17 for the Indianapolis Racers. Around 2 months later the owner of the Edmonton Oilers bought Gretzky’s contract from the Racers. After 9 years with the Oilers he was traded to the LA Kings. After 5 years, he was traded to the St Louis Blues. Gretzky decided not to sign with the Blues after their coach blamed their playoff losses on Gretzky. Gretzky then joined the New York Rangers. Gretzky has broken many records in his career as a national hockey star.

wayne gretzky was traided to the kings in 1987 (http://laist.com/attachments/la_adam1/wayne_gretzky_reed_saxon.jpg)

Wayne Gretzky is a great hockey player who deserves recognition for many things he’s done in his career. Some of his accomplishments are: he has the most over time assists with 15, and he was immediately added to the hockey hall fame with no time delay. He also holds the records for most points, most goals and most assists. Gretzky is a great person and a hero to many young hockey players.

One of the main criteria for being a hero is being a good sport on and off the ice. Gretzky shows this trait very well. He won the “Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly conduct skating ability and sportsmanship.” (Gale group) He also got the Lester Patrick Trophy for his service to hockey in the USA. His great sportsmanship is shown through some of the awards that he has won in his career as an NHL star.

wayne gretzky was being talked about when he was (http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0901/history.jan27/images/wayne.gretzky.new.jpg)

Wayne Gretzky is a hero because he is dedicated to the sport of hockey. Wayne holds 61 records in the NHL including “he scored 50 goals in 38 games breaking Maurice Richard’s record of 49 games” (gale database) he also has the record for the most average goals per game. These accomplishments show his dedication through all the records that he has gained and his accomplishments in his hockey career.

Wayne Gretzky is a hero that deserves more recognition then he may get by some people. His sportsmanship and dedication to the sport of NHL hockey is very inspiring. I hope that this has inspired you to look at Wayne and other people that you may not consider hero’s as heroes. Thank you for taking the time to read about my hero and I hope that you adopt mine or find your own hero.

Works consulted

"Gretzky: An Autobiography." American Decades Primary Sources. Ed. Cynthia Rose. Vol. 9: 1980-1989. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 668-674. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 18 May 2010.

Smith, Richard B. "Gretzky, Wayne (1961-)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Suzanne M. Bourgoin. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 17 vols.Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 18 May. 2010

"Wayne Gretzky." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 537-539. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 18 May 2010.

"Gretzky, Wayne." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Laura B. Tyle. ……..Vol. 5. Detroit: UXL, 2003. 833-836. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 18 May 2010.