Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky (http://people.zap2it.com/p/wayne-gretzky/75406 ())

Wayne Gretzky is a sport hero for many reasons. He is a talented hockey player, a successful family man, and a community supporter.

Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, on January 26, 1961. Wayne first started skating when he was only two. He also got his first hockey stick when he was only three, and he played on his first hockey team when he was only six. The hockey coach usually took ten year old kids and older, but once he saw how good Wayne was, he let Wayne on the team. Wayne Gretzky was also able to skate better than ten year old kids even though Wayne was only five. When Wayne was six, he was able to score three hundred seventy nine goals in only eighty five games as a peewee in 1972. This stunned everyone. Wayne's coach even gave Wayne a trophy for being the most improved hockey player in one season. When he was young, his jersey was way too long so he tucked his jersey inside his pants. This was going to be his style for the rest of his career. Wayne also liked other sports such as baseball, basketball and lacrosse. As you can see, Wayne Gretzky was destined to become a great hockey player.

Wayne had many challenges and problems when he was playing hockey. One challenge Wayne had was when he was a child. When he was very young, the hockey players that he trained and played against were twice Wayne's age and size. Even though Wayne was a good hockey player, he was no match against the older kids. He had trouble playing against the other older hockey players, and at the end of the season, he did not get a trophy or a medal. This made Wayne very disappointed, but Wayne did not give up on becoming a great hockey player. Another one of Wayne Gretzky's challenges was that he wanted to break a record of fifty goals in fifty games. This was very challenging to do. One problem Wayne Gretzky had was that when he was playing against the Kings, Wayne Gretzky had a herniated disk in his back that was sore and it did some damage to his back so he had to miss a one whole year of hockey and any other sports he liked. Thirdly, he had a goal of getting four Stanley Cups. He also wanted to win the Canada cup as well, not just because he is one of the greatest hockey players in the world, but he thought it would be a great honor to have the Cups for his team. The last challenge Wayne faced was that he wanted to have more goals than any other hockey player had in the world. To be able to accomplish this challenge, he would have to get more than nine hundred ninety-nine goals in his whole career. These are the challenges and problems that Wayne faced.

Wayne had many Accomplishments in his career. One accomplishment was that when Wayne Gretzky was a kid he would practice every day in hockey. He was even the smallest hockey player on his team when he was 6, but with many years of practice, he was able to become one of the world's best hockey players. Another accomplishment Wayne Gretzky had in his career was that he wanted to win four Stanly cups and so with a lot of practice and teamwork Wayne Gretzky was able to win all four of the Stanly cups for his team. Wayne got his first Stanley cup ever in 1984. One of Wayne Gretzky's special talents is that he knows where a puck will go a couple seconds before the puck even goes there. Wayne had many personal financial ventures as well. Wayne also opened up a restaurant called Gretzky's to sell food to people. He and his wife also opened up a winery. Wayne's last accomplishment is that he broke a record where he had to get nine hundred, ninety nine goals in a whole career as a hockey player. Community was very important to Wayne, and he was generous to others. Wayne played hockey not because of the money of it but to entertain hockey fans. He also worked with young skaters teaching them hockey. These are the accomplishments Wayne had in his life.

Wayne Gretzky had many awards and honors in his life. He even broke some records. Wayne broke a record by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy by scoring fifty goals in fifty games. He then went on to an even improved record of fifty goals in thirty-nine games. Another record Wayne Gretzky broke was 999 goals in a whole career. This was previously held by Gordy Howe. Wayne got 1,500 goals in his whole career. In 1972, Wayne won his name 'The Great Wayne Gretzky. Next in 1981, Wayne wins his first Stanly cup. In 1985 Wayne leads the Edmonton Oilers to win their second Stanley cup. Also, in 1987 Wayne won his 3rd Stanley cup and gets his one thousand five hundred points in his career. Later, in 1994, Wayne became the National Hockey League all-time leader in goals scored. Wayne played for Team Canada in the winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. In 2001, Wayne became managing partner of the Phoenix, Coyotes. Then in 2002, team Canada wins gold at the Winter Olympics thanks to Wayne Gretzky's leadership. Finally, in 2010, Wayne was chosen to light the Olympic torch at the opening ceremonies at the winter Olympics. This was a special honor he was very proud of doing.

Wayne has many traits that made him successful. One trait Wayne has is that he is a talented and skilled skater and player. One way Wayne is talented is that he knows where a puck will go before the puck even goes there. Another reason why Wayne is talented is because when Wayne was five he could skate better than ten year old kids. The last reason why Wayne is talented is because when he was ten years old Wayne was able to score 378 goals in eighty-five games as a peewee. Another trait Wayne has is that he is humble. When he wins a Stanley cup he doesn't think that it is just because of him. He says is that it was because of his whole team. Wayne's third trait is that he is superstitious. Wayne is superstitious because he put his equipment on in the exact same order for every hockey game he plays. Wayne puts his hockey equipment on in the exact same way for his hockey games because if he puts his equipment on in a different order for every game, he thought he would have bad luck. Wayne also has rituals before every hockey game to ensure good luck. As you can see these are the traits Wayne has.

A lesson I think a young person might learn from the way Wayne Gretzky lives is that no matter how many times you fail to reach your dreams, keep trying no matter what gets in the way. Soon you will have your dreams come true. Another lesson Wayne teaches young people is that you should not get angry if you do not get a prize from a sports tournament. As long as you did your best in the sport tournament, you are a champion. The last thing a young person could learn is from the way Wayne is to enjoy sports and get active. That is why Wayne is a hero to me and many others.