'My dad tried to kill..': Wayne Gretzky opens up about how his father tried to stop ‘The Great One' nickname from sticking
Wayne Gretzky is a name synonymous with greatness in the
, but the origin of his famous nickname, "The Great One," has a surprising twist. During a recent segment on NHL on TNT's Face Off, Gretzky shared that his father, Walter Gretzky, was not a fan of the moniker when it first appeared during his youth hockey days.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
A nickname born out of early dominance on the ice
Long before Wayne Gretzky shattered NHL records, he was just a ten-year-old prodigy from Brantford, Ontario, netting an unbelievable 400 goals in a single season. A reporter from the London Free Press came to profile the young phenom. At the conclusion of the article, the journalist proposed a fitting nickname: 'The Great One,' drawing inspiration from legends like 'Mr. Hockey' and 'The Golden Jet.'
'They said, 'We should just call him The Great One,'' Gretzky recalled.
'Well, my dad tried to kill that right away — it just kept coming back.'
Walter Gretzky believed such a title placed unnecessary pressure on his young son. He didn't want Wayne to bear the weight of premature hype. But despite his father's objections, the nickname gained traction and became permanently linked to the budding superstar.
Acceptance of a name that would define a legacy
Over time, the family had no choice but to embrace the label. 'Finally, I just was like, 'Well, we're going to have to live with it,'' Gretzky admitted.
And live with it he did. By the time he retired in 1999, Gretzky had not only fulfilled but exceeded the expectations that came with such a grand title. With 894 goals, 2,857 career points, and 61 NHL records, 'The Great One' wasn't just a nickname—it became his rightful legacy.
Panthers Win Game 5 to Take 3-2 Lead in Stanley Cup Final | NHL on TNT
Switching gears to current NHL action, Gretzky also shared his thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers' Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers. 'Right from the get-go, Florida played a really smart, intelligent road game,' he said, noting that Edmonton looked 'cautious' and 'on their heels' early on.
Also Read:
From a childhood nickname to a storied NHL career, Gretzky's story remains one of humility, brilliance, and enduring greatness.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are likely to attend the Stanley Cup Final Game 6 between Oilers and Panthers despite Chiefs obligations
Travis Kelce may attend the Stanley Cup Final Game 6 with Taylor Swift (Getty Images Travis Kelce 's jam-packed week just got even busier—and more star-studded. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is expected to pull off a high-profile, high-stakes balancing act this Tuesday, juggling NFL obligations and a headline-making appearance alongside pop icon girlfriend Taylor Swift . Travis Kelce may skip rest for romance as he plans whirlwind trip with Taylor Swift for Stanley Cup Final Game 6 According to NHL reporter Jackie Redmond on The Pat McAfee Show, Kelce and Swift are 'likely' to attend Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Florida. The catch? Game time is 8:00 p.m. ET—the very same day Kelce is required to attend the first day of the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp in Kansas City. This wouldn't be the first time someone in the Kelce family has attempted a sports doubleheader. Travis's mom, Donna Kelce, once famously watched both her sons play NFL games in different cities on the same day. Now, it looks like Travis is ready to take a page from her playbook. If Redmond's intel holds up, the Chiefs star could hop a private flight from Kansas City right after practice to make it to Amerant Bank Arena in time for puck drop. He'd then likely return that night or early the next morning to be back in camp for Day 2, avoiding any disciplinary fines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo It's a bold move, but one consistent with Kelce's flair for the dramatic—and his commitment to both career and relationship. Kelce and Swift were already spotted enjoying Game 4 of the Finals last week, seated next to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. That night ended in a thrilling 5–4 overtime victory for the Oilers, but the Panthers now lead the series 3–2 and have a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup Tuesday night. Also Read: 'Stop with the Taylor Swift s**t': Fans erupt after Taylor Swift is compared to Wayne Gretzky during Stanley Cup Finals broadcast While neither Kelce nor Swift has confirmed attendance yet, the buzz has already begun to ripple through both the sports and entertainment worlds. For Swifties and Chiefs fans alike, all eyes will be on Florida Tuesday night—not just for the game, but to see whether Kelce's packed schedule can keep up with his superstar lifestyle.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
'My dad tried to kill..': Wayne Gretzky opens up about how his father tried to stop ‘The Great One' nickname from sticking
Wayne Gretzky is a name synonymous with greatness in the , but the origin of his famous nickname, "The Great One," has a surprising twist. During a recent segment on NHL on TNT's Face Off, Gretzky shared that his father, Walter Gretzky, was not a fan of the moniker when it first appeared during his youth hockey days. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A nickname born out of early dominance on the ice Long before Wayne Gretzky shattered NHL records, he was just a ten-year-old prodigy from Brantford, Ontario, netting an unbelievable 400 goals in a single season. A reporter from the London Free Press came to profile the young phenom. At the conclusion of the article, the journalist proposed a fitting nickname: 'The Great One,' drawing inspiration from legends like 'Mr. Hockey' and 'The Golden Jet.' 'They said, 'We should just call him The Great One,'' Gretzky recalled. 'Well, my dad tried to kill that right away — it just kept coming back.' Walter Gretzky believed such a title placed unnecessary pressure on his young son. He didn't want Wayne to bear the weight of premature hype. But despite his father's objections, the nickname gained traction and became permanently linked to the budding superstar. Acceptance of a name that would define a legacy Over time, the family had no choice but to embrace the label. 'Finally, I just was like, 'Well, we're going to have to live with it,'' Gretzky admitted. And live with it he did. By the time he retired in 1999, Gretzky had not only fulfilled but exceeded the expectations that came with such a grand title. With 894 goals, 2,857 career points, and 61 NHL records, 'The Great One' wasn't just a nickname—it became his rightful legacy. Panthers Win Game 5 to Take 3-2 Lead in Stanley Cup Final | NHL on TNT Switching gears to current NHL action, Gretzky also shared his thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers' Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers. 'Right from the get-go, Florida played a really smart, intelligent road game,' he said, noting that Edmonton looked 'cautious' and 'on their heels' early on. Also Read: From a childhood nickname to a storied NHL career, Gretzky's story remains one of humility, brilliance, and enduring greatness.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce eyeing another night out—Stanley Cup Final could be next big date
Travis Kelce may skip Chiefs camp momentarily to join Taylor Swift at the Stanley Cup Final (Getty Images) Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift once again stole the spotlight after their surprise appearance at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Florida, where the couple was spotted enjoying the thrilling overtime win by the Edmonton Oilers. Now, the buzz has shifted to whether the celebrity duo will make another joint appearance for Game 6 on Tuesday, June 17 — but this time, Kelce's NFL obligations may interfere. Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift likely planning star-studded Stanley Cup Final date night despite Chiefs duties The talk began when NHL on TNT's Jackie Redmond appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, hinting that Kelce and Swift were 'likely' to attend the potential title-clinching showdown at Amerant Bank Arena. Redmond cited 'good sources,' sparking fan speculation, but later backpedaled. 'My 'good source' has been downgraded to just a 'source' — might've gotten bad info on this,' she joked on social media, using laughing and skull emojis to lighten the confusion. At the heart of the scheduling conflict is the Kansas City Chiefs' mandatory minicamp, which coincides exactly with Game 6. The Chiefs' offseason program kicks off Tuesday and attendance is non-negotiable. With all 91 players on the preseason roster expected to show up, missing even one day could cost Kelce $17,000, with penalties escalating to $104,000 if he skips the entire camp. As a three-time Super Bowl champion and veteran leader in the locker room, Kelce's presence is not just expected — it's necessary. The Chiefs are eyeing another deep postseason run, and Kelce is reportedly more focused than ever, especially after briefly considering retirement following last season's Super Bowl win. His decision to return for a 13th NFL season seems to be backed by discipline and preparation, including reports that he has dropped 25 pounds to stay in peak condition. Still, fans are holding out hope that Kelce might find a way to be both a football leader and Swift's date for the evening. Technically, it's possible. If he attends minicamp early in the day, he could board a private jet and make the three-hour trip to South Florida just in time for the 8:30 p.m. puck drop. After the game, he'd need to fly back overnight to rejoin training the following morning. However, with jet lag from a recent trip to France—where he appeared alongside his brother Jason Kelce at an Amazon panel during the Cannes Lions festival—adding another whirlwind flight may not be realistic. Though his mom, Donna Kelce, once famously managed to watch both sons play NFL games in a single day, Travis might not be up for the challenge this time. The Florida Panthers currently lead the series 3–2 and could clinch the Stanley Cup on Tuesday. If Kelce and Swift do show up, it would be another headline-making moment in their high-profile romance. But for now, football obligations appear to be Kelce's top priority, even when love and hockey are calling. Also Read: Saquon Barkley's babysitting days included losing at Madden to a 12-year-old—before NFL stardom
