Wayne Douglas Gretzky Wiki Biography
Born as Wayne Douglas Gretzky on the 26th January 1961 in Ontario, Canada, Wayne Gretzky was a professional Hockey player. Wayne’s net worth is estimated to be $220 million as of 2017. Wayne loved playing hockey from early childhood. Most of his friends didn’t want to play with him and even avoided playing hockey together because Wayne was always such a fast and skilled player even when he was a little kid. His career started when he was signed to the famous Indianapolis Racers but he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, who he led to victory in the National Hockey League with almost no effort whatsoever. Wayne was traded a couple of times after that, because of how valuable a player he was– truly a professional. These teams included the St Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings, as well as for the New York Rangers.
Wayne Gretzky Net Worth $220 Million
Due to Wayne being one of the most important players, his teams have won the Stanley Cup four times. Gretzky retired after spending twenty years playing the sport. During those years he received the award for the most valuable hockey player nine times, decided by the jury of Hart trophies. Not only that, but he has also received a total of four awards for scoring the most points and even five awards under the umbrella of Lester B. awards. The list of awards goes on and on as Gretzky has even received the famous Conn Smith Trophy twice for being the MVP in the playoffs.
Immediately after his retirement from professional hockey, Wayne was included in the National Hockey League Hall of Fame, as Gretzky set more than 60 National Hockey League’s records in both regular season games and playoffs. He also holds six of the All Star records. Given that he ended his playing career in sports, the legendary star then became a producer and the director for the Canadian Men’s National Hockey Team when the Winter Olympics were broadcast. Wayne has also been known for his nickname The Great One due to his fortunate success of being the only hockey player in the history of the National Hockey League to score over 200 points in one season. Gretzky has achieved this four times.
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Speaking about his personal life, the star is married to Janet Jones who is a famous American actress. They were married in a ceremony that took place in 1998. Wayne and Janet have five children: Emma, Tristan, Trevor, Ty and Paulina. Gretzky’s son Trevor has been signed to play for the Cubs. Ty had been playing ice hockey as his father, but eventually he quit the sport to get a degree at Arizona State University.
| Full Name | Wayne Gretzky |
| Net Worth | $220 Million |
| Date Of Birth | January 26, 1961 |
| Place Of Birth | Brantford, Canada |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.82 m) |
| Weight | 185 lbs (83.9 kg) |
| Profession | Ice hockey player, Athlete, Coach |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Spouse | Janet Jones (m. 1988) |
| Children | Paulina Gretzky, Emma Gretzky, Tristan Gretzky, Trevor Gretzky, Ty Gretzky |
| Parents | Phyllis Hockin, Walter Gretzky |
| Siblings | Brent Gretzky, Keith Gretzky, Glen Gretzky, Kim Gretzky |
| Nicknames | Great One , Gretsky , Gretzkey , Gretzky , The Great One , Wayne Douglas Gretzky , Wayne Gretsky , Wayne Gretszky , Wayne gretzky , The White Tornado |
| https://www.facebook.com/gretzkydotcom | |
| https://twitter.com/officialgretzky | |
| IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002115 |
| Allmusic | www.allmusic.com/artist/wayne-gretzky-mn0000817765 |
| Awards | Salt Lake City Games (200, gold medal), World Cup (1996, Canada, Silver), Canada Cup (Canada, Gold – 1984, 1987, 1991; Silver – 1981), World Championships (Bronze, 1982 Finland), World Junior Championships (Bronze, 1978, Canada), Conn Smith Trophy, All Star records |
| Nominations | “Walk of Fame” (2004), The Ambassador Award of Excellence (2010, LA Sports & Entertainment Commission), IIHF Hall of Fame (2000), Hockey Hall of Fame (1999), 2000 NHL All-Star Game (Number 99), Idol Gordie Howe’s all-time point record of 1,850 (1989) |
| Movies | King’s Ransom, NHL: All Access!, NHL Greatest Moments |
| TV Shows | Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars, Wayne Gretzky Hockey, Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey, Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey ’98 (video games) |
| Trademark | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Number 99 |
| 2 | Always tucked the right corner of his jersey into his pants |
| Quote | |
|---|---|
| 1 | I had the greatest financial adviser in the world – my dad..I’m not a flamboyant guy who needs to have a lot of cars or buy a lot of things to make myself feel good. |
| 2 | A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great player plays where the puck is going to be. |
| 3 | The biggest difference between L.A. and Edmonton was that instead of people looking at me I was looking at them. |
| 4 | “My dad told me today that I ran out an 800-goal scorer out of hockey” (On Brett Hull’s retirement) |
| 5 | On his support for the 2010 winter olympics in Vancouver: “I’m just going to try and tell them how great Canada is and tell them it’s the right city and the right country for the Winter Olympics.” |
| 6 | You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. |
| 7 | Most people marry their mother. I married my father. |
| 8 | Ninety percent of hockey is mental and the other half is physical. |
| Fact | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Grandson Tatum Gretzky Johnson born on January 19, 2015 to daughter Paulina and pro golfer Dustin Johnson. |
| 2 | After Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry drafted Trevor Gretzky in the 7th round of the MLB draft, Gretzky personally negotiated Trevor’s contract with Hendry. Trevor signed for $375,000. (July 18, 2011). |
| 3 | President and part owner of Phoenix Coyotes [2001] |
| 4 | Named head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes on August 8, 2005, the first time Gretzky coached hockey at any level. He resigned in September 2009 with a 143-161-24 record and zero playoff games. |
| 5 | He is of Polish, Belarusian, and Ukrainian descent on his father’s side, and has English ancestry on his mother’s side. |
| 6 | Fellow hockey legend Mark Messier is the godfather of his daughter, Paulina Gretzky. |
| 7 | One of his favorite positions on the ice was to take the puck to the back of an opponent’s goal and try to set up teammates for a goal. |
| 8 | Portrayed by Kris Holden-Ried in Waking Up Wally: The Walter Gretzky Story (2005). |
| 9 | Was a part-owner of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL with McNall and John Candy. The group signed Raghib Ismail on the first day of the 1991 NFL draft, where he was projected the #1 overall pick. |
| 10 | He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 25, 1984 for his services to sports. |
| 11 | In 1984, when the Oilers won their first Stanley Cup, he was asked to do the “I’m Going To Disneyland”, bit for a commercial. He respectfully declined, because he didn’t want it to interfere with the moment of winning the Stanley Cup for the first time. |
| 12 | In 1990, the year the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup, the CBC wanted Gretzky to appear as a reporter for Hockey Night in Canada, should the Oilers win the Stanley Cup (the first time without him), but he respectfully declined, not wanting to interfere with the Oilers’ victory. |
| 13 | Sport Illustrated writer and author Rick Riley felt that writing Gretzky’s biography back in 1990 was a difficult task, because Gretzky is so humble, he won’t talk too much about himself. |
| 14 | Returned to Edmonton in 1989 to attend the unveiling of a statue of him hoisting the Stanley Cup, now at the entrance of Skyreach Centre. At the ceremony, former owner Peter Pocklington gave Gretzky’s then-infant daughter Paulina a $25,000 savings bond. He later blasted Pocklington in his 1990 autobiography as being “a cheapskate.” |
| 15 | Loves to wear white suit/sport jackets, but will no longer wear them, due to the jackets being ruined from Sharpie pen marks applied accidentally by fans while signing autographs. |
| 16 | Gretzky’s trade to the Los Angeles Kings caused such a stir in Canada, Canadian Parliment tried to declare Gretzky as a national treasure, wanted the trade declared null and void. In addition, Parliment talked about buying Gretzky’s contract, so it could be sold to a Canadian based team |
| 17 | Has more assists (1,963) than any other NHL player has total points (goals plus assists). |
| 18 | Has dual Canadian/American citizenship. |
| 19 | Inducted into the Hockey Hockey Hall of Fame, bypassing the 3-year waiting period. Following Gretzky’s induction, the Hall announced the waiting period would not be waived for any future players. (November 22, 1999). |
| 20 | One-time owner with Bruce McNall of the Honus Wagner baseball card, the world’s most expensive sports card. Only 50 in existence, each is valued at almost a half-million dollars. |
| 21 | Baroque comic opera “The Loves of Wayne Gretzky” by composer Brad Walton debuted in Toronto. In it, Gretzky leaves his wife for Mario Lemieux (February 1994). |
| 22 | Did a series of TV ads for Sharp Viewcam Camcorder with son Ty. |
| 23 | Print/Radio/TV ads for Power Automotive Group of Southern California debut. Gretzky is also the pitchman for Ford of Canada (May 2003). |
| 24 | The Wayne Gretzky International Award is presented annually by the United States Hockey Hall of Fame to “an international citizen who has been deemed to have made a major contribution to the growth and advancement of American hockey.” |
| 25 | Famous for talking about himself in the third person. |
| 26 | Played for the Edmonton Oilers (1978-1988), the Los Angeles Kings (1988-1996), the St. Louis Blues (1996), and the New York Rangers (1996-1999). |
| 27 | The statue of Gretzky at the entrance of Skyreach Centre, home arena of the Edmonton Oilers, temporarily had a sign hanging from it that read “U$ Lackey” in protest of his comments supporting George W. Bush in the war against Iraq. (25 March 2003) |
| 28 | Art Ross Trophy (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994). Conn Smythe Trophy (1985, 1988). First All-Star Team (1984). First All-Star Team Centre (1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991). Hart Memorial Trophy (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990). Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999). Lester B. Pearson Award (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987). Lester Patrick Trophy (1994). Second All-Star Team Centre (1980, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1997, 1998). |
| 29 | Godfather to Jari Kurri’s twin sons Ville and Joonas. |
| 30 | Contrary to his image for gentlemanly play, Gretzky was ejected 11 times in his NHL career for unsportsmanlike conduct. |
| 31 | Wayne has agreed in principle to head the Canadian Olympic hockey team for 2006 in Italy if NHL hockey player are involved. |
| 32 | Sold custom-built Georgian-style estate in Thousand Oaks, CA in 2005 to Lenny Dykstra. It was sold at auction in 2010 after Dykstra lost it in foreclosure. It sold again 2013 in for $9,500,000, $5,495,000 less than asking. |
| 33 | Was told by Michael Jordan that retirement was “heavenly.” Soon afterward, Jordan returned to the NBA. |
| 34 | Owns homes in Toronto, Westlake Village, CA, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho (which features two water slides), and Vancouver. |
| 35 | Accompanied Queen Elizabeth II to an NHL pre-season game on October 6th 2002 in Vancouver, Canada. |
| 36 | Reportedly saving the stick he used to break Gordie Howe’s NHL career points record on 15 October 1989 against his old team, the Edmonton Oilers, for his son, Ty. |
| 37 | On the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine with his wife, Janet Jones. [February 1997] |
| 38 | While in Edmonton, he began to turn himself into a brand name, endorsing everything from soft drinks and blue jeans to his own wallpaper, pillow cases, hockey games, breakfast cereals and a Mattel “Great Gretzky” doll. “Forbes” magazine estimated that between 1990 and 1998, Gretzky earned $93.8 million from hockey and endorsements. |
| 39 | After his retirement, he became the spokesperson for Tylenol Arthritis Formula, even though he doesn’t actually have osteoarthritis. |
| 40 | (August 9, 1988) In a move that forever changed the dynamics of the NHL, Gretzky, Marty McSorley, and Mike Krushelnyski were sold to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million cash, and the Kings’ three first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991, and 1993. Gretzky and Carson later played together in Los Angeles (1992-1993, 1993-1994). |
| 41 | In 1980, hit .492 for hometown Brantford CKPC Braves senior league baseball team, attracting the attention of the Toronto Blue Jays, who offered him a tryout. He declined. |
| 42 | (February 25, 1991) Bought the CFL Toronto Argonauts with Bruce McNall and John Candy. |
| 43 | Proposed to wife Janet over the phone. |
| 44 | (October 2, 1998) Launched his own line of menswear, The Wayne Gretzky Collection, carried by Canadian department store chain The Bay, with prices from $85.00 to $300.00. |
| 45 | Eldest of five children. |
| 46 | It was believed that he engineered his 1988 trade to the L.A. Kings to help Janet’s career. According to the program “Kings Ransom”, this was not true. Ironically, he broke up with live-in girlfriend, singer Vicki Moss, because she wouldn’t give up her career. Moss was involved briefly with Gretzky’s friend, David Foster. |
| 47 | First child, Paulina, was born 5 months and 2 days after his wedding. |
| 48 | (February 18, 2002) Gretzky, executive director of the Men’s Canadian Olympic Team, lashed out at a bizarre and impromptu press conference, saying everyone hated Canada and blamed the team’s 1-1-1 start on “American propaganda.”. |
| 49 | (February 24, 2002) The Men’s Canadian Olympic Team won the Olympic gold medal, beating the United States 5-2. Canada’s victory came 50 years to the day the Edmonton Waterloo Mercurys won the nation’s last gold at the 1952 Oslo Winter Games. |
| 50 | Unsuccessfully attempted to get the number 99 copyrighted, but did succeed in getting the address of his Toronto eatery changed to “99 Blue Jay Way.” |
| 51 | Smokes cigars. |
| 52 | His front teeth were knocked out in a hockey game when he was 10. |
| 53 | “Wrote” a daily “journal” syndicated throughout Canada’s newspapers detailing his thoughts and feelings about his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame as that day neared. |
| 54 | Has “written”/authorized at least 4 books about himself. |
| 55 | All 5 of his kids were born at Ceders-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. |
| 56 | His wedding to Janet Jones was broadcast live throughout Canada. It even included uniformed “guards” from the Fire Department on the church steps. The Archdiocese of Edmonton was criticized for allowing St. Joseph’s Basilica to hold the ceremony because neither Gretzky or Jones is Catholic. The wedding reportedly cost Gretzky over $1,000,000; Janet’s dress alone cost $40,000. The reception was hosted by Alan Thicke. |
| 57 | Widely considered as the best ice hockey player ever. |
| 58 | Father of Tristan Gretzky, Trevor Gretzky, Ty Gretzky, Paulina Gretzky, and Emma Gretzky. Older brother of Glen Gretzky, and Brent Gretzky. Son of Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Gretzky. |
| 59 | Member of the 1998 Canadian olympic hockey team. |
| 60 | Currently holds 61 NHL records. |
| 61 | Owns a restaurant called “Wayne Gretzky’s” at 99 Blue Jays Way in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Garden’s Defining Moments | 2015 | TV Mini-Series | |
| Robotropolis | 2011 | Additional Soccer Players | |
| The Young and the Restless | 1981 | TV Series | Wayne |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Gretzky | 2003 | Video documentary executive producer |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley’s Game Seven 3D | 2012 | Short special thanks | |
| The Human Hambone | 2005 | Documentary special thanks | |
| As Long as He Lives | 1998 | Short dedicatee |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Golden Seals Story | 2016 | Documentary post-production | Himself |
| Conan | 2014-2016 | TV Series | Himself – Guest / Himself |
| Breakfast Television | 2016 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | 2016 | TV Series | Himself |
| CTV National News | 2016 | TV Series | Himself |
| Undeniable with Joe Buck | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Best of the WHA Hall of Fame | 2015 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Voice of the King | 2014 | Documentary | Himself |
| Bystander Revolution | 2014 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Mike & Mike | 2014 | TV Series | Himself – Hockey Hall of Famer |
| Iron Mike: The Mike Keenan Story | 2014 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Unusually Thicke | 2014 | TV Series | Himself |
| The American Cinematheque Tribute to Jerry Bruckheimer | 2013 | TV Movie | Himself |
| NHL 14 | 2013 | Video Game | Himself |
| John Candy: True Double Blue | 2011 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| CollegeHumor Originals | 2011 | TV Series | Himself |
| Remembering the WHA | 2010 | Video | Himself |
| Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Ceremonies, Behind the Scenes | 2010 | Documentary short | Himself |
| Vancouver 2010: XXI Olympic Winter Games | 2010 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
| Canada for Haiti | 2010 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| Athletes in Motion: Hockey T’Nite | 2010 | Short | Himself |
| 30 for 30 | 2009 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| NHL: New York Islanders 10 Greatest Games | 2009 | Himself | |
| Gretzky, Indy & the W.H.A. | 2009 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Sidney Crosby: On the Ice and Beyond | 2008 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Pond Hockey | 2008 | Documentary | Himself |
| NHL: Edmonton Oilers – 10 Greatest Games | 2008 | Himself | |
| Sports Unfiltered with Dennis Miller | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
| 2006 NHL Awards | 2006 | TV Special | Himself |
| The Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame… | 2005-2006 | TV Series | Himself |
| Tiger at 30 | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Costas Now | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| Hockey Night in Canada | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| TSN Hockey | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| ESPN 25: Who’s #1? | 2004-2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Life and Times | 2001-2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| The 2004 Billboard Music Awards | 2004 | TV Special | Himself |
| Tiger: The Authorised DVD Collection | 2004 | Video documentary | Himself |
| It’s Our Game: Team Canada’s Victory at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey | 2004 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Christmas in Kabul | 2003 | TV Movie | Himself |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | 2003 | TV Series | Himself |
| Ultimate Gretzky | 2003 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Salt Lake 2002: Stories of Olympic Glory | 2003 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| ESPN SportsCentury | 2000-2002 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Gold Rush 2002 | 2002 | Video documentary | Team Canada Executive Director / General Manager |
| NHL: All-Access! | 2001 | Video documentary | Himself |
| ESPY Awards | 2000 | TV Special | |
| Lord Stanley’s Cup: Hockey’s Ultimate Prize | 2000 | Video documentary | Himself |
| In Action | 2000 | Documentary | Himself |
| NHL 2000: A Millenium of Memories | 2000 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Train to Win | 1999 | Video | Himself |
| At First Sight | 1999 | Himself (uncredited) | |
| The 18th Olympic Winter Games | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
| Late Night with Conan O’Brien | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
| All-Star Hockey, Vol. 2: Winning Techniques | 1998 | Video | Himself |
| Nagano 1998: XVIII Olympic Winter Games | 1998 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
| The Rosie O’Donnell Show | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
| Howard Stern | 1996-1997 | TV Series | Himself |
| NHL Power Players: All-Stars of the Game | 1997 | Video | Himself |
| Gretzky: The Great One and the Next Ones | 1997 | Video | Himself |
| Late Show with David Letterman | 1996 | TV Series | Himself |
| All-Star Hockey | 1995 | Video | Himself |
| Biography | 1995 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| A Night to Die for | 1995 | TV Short documentary | Himself |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 1993-1995 | TV Series | Himself |
| Ice & Asphalt: The World of Hockey | 1995 | Video | Himself |
| Good Morning America | 1994 | TV Series | Himself |
| D2: The Mighty Ducks | 1994 | Himself | |
| The Passion Returns: The 1992-93 Toronto Maple Leafs | 1993 | TV Special | Himself |
| Power Plays | 1993 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion | 1993 | TV Movie | Himself – Special Guest |
| ProStars | 1991 | TV Series | Himself (1991) |
| Victory & Valor: Special Olympics World Games | 1991 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Voices that Care | 1991 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Wayne Gretzky: Above and Beyond | 1990 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Flames 88-89 | 1989 | Video documentary | Edmonton Oilers / Los Angeles Kings Center |
| The Boys Are Back | 1989 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Saturday Night Live | 1989 | TV Series | Himself – Host |
| Late Night with David Letterman | 1986-1989 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Pat Sajak Show | 1989 | TV Series | Himself |
| U.S.A. Today: The Television Series | 1988 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Boys on the Bus | 1987 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Wayne Gretzky: Hockey My Way | 1986 | Video | Himself |
| 1986 NHL All-Star Game | 1986 | TV Special | Himself – Center, Campbell Conference |
| 1984 NHL All-Star Game | 1984 | TV Special | Himself – Campbell Conference Center |
| The Alan Thicke Show | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
Archive Footage
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