Gretzky says his favourite nickname is the one Alberta gave him and not 'The Great One'
Article content
Already with one of the most iconic nicknames in professional sports history — The Great One — it's easy to forget that Wayne Gretzky was briefly bestowed with a different title: the White Tornado.
Article content
During his minor hockey days, Gretzky, wearing white gloves, dominated a Quebec City tournament with speed and scoring prowess, leading someone in French media to dub him le Tornade Blanche.
Article content
Article content
His personal favourite, however, is Doc, in recognition of his honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta, awarded in 2000.
Article content
Gretzky made the revelation on the recent New Heights podcast with brothers and pro footballers Jason and Travis Kelce.
Article content
Gretzky told the Kelces he asked friends to call him Doc because people also did so for Dr. Jerry Buss, the late former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. In reality, Buss was a legitimate doctoral recipient, having completed a Ph.D in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California before becoming a real estate magnate and an NBA franchise owner.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Another little-known sobriquet he revealed to hosts Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson is Mr. Douglas, which was the name he'd use at hotels to avoid fans at the height of his fame. Douglas is also his middle name. Teammates quickly adopted it in the locker room once they found out.
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Province
2 hours ago
- The Province
Whistler has a new brasserie — with traditional tortière and a connection to TV's Mad Men
Along with his uncle Jay, James Paré is co-owner and operator of two other Whistler restaurants, Quattro and Caramba Beef tartare and bone marrow. Brent Harrewyn photo Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. With Lorette Brasserie, Whistler's restaurant scene is expanding with rich, hearty servings of Quebecois cuisine. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'Our impression was that there was nothing really like this in Whistler,' said Lorette co-owner James Paré. 'People will do French or whatever, but no one is really doing what we're doing. And I feel like the culture is growing. Customers are becoming more aware and more excited to try different things. We have some unique flavours and some items that people are excited to try, and maybe not just one night, but maybe a couple nights in a row.' Along with his uncle Jay, James is co-owner and operator of Lorette's parent company, Paré Restaurant Group, which includes two other Whistler restaurants, Quattro and Caramba. Caramba serves European-inspired comfort food, including steak, duck, and pasta, while Quattro is Italian. For their new restaurant, the Parés wanted to draw on their Quebecois heritage. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The recently opened Lorette Brasserie brings hearty, rich food in the Quebecois tradition to Whistler. Brent Harrewyn photo 'We knew cretons for sure would be on the menu, and that tourtière was going to be on the menu,' James said. Cretons, a pork paté with pear served on toast, was a favourite of his when he was a kid, Jay said. 'Tourtière was something we had usually at breakfast time and special occasions.' A traditional French Canadian meat pie, the Lorette version of tourtière is made with suckling pig, confit duck, 'grandma's ketchup' and pan-seared foie gras. However, it's temporarily off the menu, probably until fall. 'It's such a heavy dish,' James said. Other plates include rillettes, a cured salmon spread served on crostini; petites pois à la Francaise, a braised peas and lettuce dish with lardons, baby gem, and lemon cream; coquilles St. Jacques, scallops and morels with comté and pomme purée; and beef tartare and bone marrow. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Endive with Fuji apples, bleu d'elizabeth, herbs, and walnut vinaigrette is one of the hare plates on the menu at Lorette Brasserie. Brent Harrewyn photo Trained in the classical French culinary arts, James developed the menu with Lorette head chef Shane Sluchinski for six months before the Parés opened the doors on April 26. 'We did a lot of tastings, with Jay and myself, and we did a lot of collab that way as well, where we kind of just cooked food, tried it, and said, 'Oh, that'll be great with a nice Pinot Noir' or whatever,' James said. 'We were always trying to think of what that was going to look like. We haven't had to make a ton of tweaks, because we cooked so much of it.' The wine list is petite. 'We wanted to keep it nice and tight while appeasing all palates,' Jay said. 'It's predominantly French, with some BC wines that are French-focused as well.' Signature libations include the Montreal Margarita (Altos Plata tequila, china china, lemon lime, sea buckthorn cordial) and Lorette Fizz (Citadelle Jardin d'Ete, a French gin, with Lillet Blanc, lime, honeyed Riesling, and elderflower orange blossom foam). For beer, the brasserie is pouring an exclusive, a full-bodied, layered blanc from Whistler's Coast Mountain Brewing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We were down at a Seahawks game with Kevin [Winter, co-owner of Coast Mountain] last year,' James said. 'And he just said, 'Hey, I want to brew a beer for you guys.' When we tasted it for the first time, we were stunned.' Family photos, including one of Jay's mother who was Canada's first certified female ski instructor, add to the chic rustic charm of the restaurant's interior. She helped inspire the brasserie's name. 'My late mom's name was Lorene, and Jay's mom's middle name was Loretta. We were sitting at the bar one day and Jay said, 'What about Lorette?' And I was like, 'Oh my God, I love it. So we stuck with that from that point forward.' Another notable Paré is Jessica, who is perhaps best known for her role in Mad Men as the character Don Draper's French-Canadian wife Megan, the actor is one of the many cousins that show up for the annual 200-strong Paré Labour Day family reunion in Quebec. 'She needs to endorse us,' said James. 'We need to get her here.' Read More
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stuttgart signs French right back Lorenz Assignon from Rennes
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Stuttgart has signed French right back Lorenz Assignon from Rennes for a reported fee of over 11 million euros ($12.6 million). The 24-year-old Assignon signed a contract through June 2029, the Bundesliga club said Friday. 'This is a club with a great tradition and fantastic fans,' Assignon told the club website. 'I've watched them a number of times on TV and I like the way they play. I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead of me and want to play my part in the future success of VfB.' Assignon scored three goals in 32 league appearances for Rennes last season, when the team finished 12th. He previously played half a season on loan at Premier League side Burney under current Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany. 'With his ball skills and his energy levels, Lorenz is going to fit in very well with our playing style,' Stuttgart sporting director Christian Gentner said. 'Over the past few years, he has shown his qualities in Ligue 1 and in the Premier League and acquired some important experience.' Rennes is establishing a reputation for helping develop some of Europe's most exciting players, including Champions League winners Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona star Raphinha, Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, and Jérémy Doku of Manchester City. Stuttgart won the German Cup this season but its Bundesliga campaign was affected by Champions League participation as it only finished ninth in the league. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Arsenal defender Gabriel signs new contract extension
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal center back Gabriel Magalhaes signed a new long-term deal Friday that will reportedly keep the Brazil international at the club until 2029. Gabriel missed the last two months of the season with a hamstring injury but has formed a formidable partnership with France international William Saliba to anchor an Arsenal defense that has been the best in the Premier League. 'I arrived here as a young player and after almost five years I'm so happy and I've learned a lot,' Gabriel said. 'I'm so proud of myself, it's an amazing journey, and I'm so happy to continue it.' The 27-year-old defender joined the Gunners in 2020 from French club Lille and has played 210 games in all competitions. He has scored 20 goals for Arsenal, becoming a major threat at corners and other set pieces. Gabriel was handed an extension even though his previous contract did not expire until 2027, signaling his importance to coach Mikel Arteta. Arsenal did not confirm the length of the contract, but British media reported it was a four-year deal. With Gabriel in the defensive line, Arsenal conceded the fewest goals in the last two seasons in the Premier League. The deal comes after Arsenal finished second in the English league for the third straight year. ___ AP soccer:
