Latest news with #Gretzky
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky teams up with Palm Beach Gardens to build elite youth ice facility and launch Gretzky Invitational
Wayne Gretzky is backing a new indoor ice facility set to break ground in Palm Beach Gardens this July (Getty Images) Palm Beach Gardens is about to become a hotbed for youth hockey and ice sports—thanks to the backing of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky. A brand-new indoor ice facility is set to break ground this July at Plant Drive Park, bringing year-round skating opportunities to South Florida in a move that blends elite hockey pedigree with strong community engagement. Gretzky Hockey School and youth tournament to anchor facility programming The project is a collaboration between the City of Palm Beach Gardens and the Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation, which successfully raised the funds to bring the vision to life. While Florida is known more for its beaches than its blue lines, the upcoming venue will give local athletes a chance to lace up their skates in a state-of-the-art environment—and do so under the influence of 'The Great One.' The new facility won't just be another ice rink—it's set to become a premier destination for hockey development in the region. Highlighting its launch will be the Gretzky Invitational, a youth hockey tournament expected to attract top young talent from across North America. Alongside the tournament, the facility will also host training camps operated by the Gretzky Hockey School, a program known for developing youth players with a strong emphasis on skill, discipline, and love of the game. By tying his name to the facility and lending his brand to its programming, Gretzky is continuing his lifelong mission to grow the sport beyond traditional hockey markets. While hockey is front and center, the new complex is designed to serve a broad array of ice sports. It will also accommodate figure skating competitions and offer public access for recreational skating year-round. This gives Palm Beach Gardens residents a unique recreational resource that is rare in South Florida—and opens doors for kids who previously had limited access to the sport. Also Read: Who are Wayne Gretzky's kids and what do they do? A closer look at the legendary NHL star's family Construction is scheduled to begin in early July, marking the start of what city officials hope will be a transformative project for youth sports in the region. Gretzky's involvement is more than symbolic—it's a game-changer for Florida's hockey future. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Wayne Gretzky was never drafted: The full story behind hockey's greatest mystery
Why Wayne Gretzky was never drafted: The full story behind hockey's greatest mystery(Image Via IG/@waynegretzky) It might be an astonishing fact to learn that the greatest player in hockey history, Wayne Gretzky, was never drafted into the NHL . Current stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby had the honor of going first overall, but Wayne entered the league in an unusual backdoor way. This was not a case of some bizarre scouting miss; it was a perfect storm comprising age restriction, rival league, and one extraordinary contract in the making of hockey legends. Wayne Gretzky's early days in the WHA and that contract, which changed everything Wayne Gretzky 🏒: The NHL Legend Who Was Never Actually Drafted! 🚀 #shorts #waynegretzky #nhl #hockey Wayne Gretzky's path to the NHL began outside the NHL. At barely 17 years of age, he joined the World Hockey Association (WHA), a rival to the NHL, which allowed younger players to turn professional. He signed in 1978 with the Indianapolis Racers, but his stay there was short. After just eight games, the financially shaky team sold his contract to the Edmonton Oilers, another WHA franchise. Even so, Gretzky wasn't an ordinary player. He had entered into a personal services contract, not a standard player contract. This meant that he was bound directly to the Oilers owner, Peter Pocklington, circumventing normal player rules. When the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979, the league found itself at a crossroads: would Gretzky be entered into the draft, or would he be allowed to play under his existing contract? Memories: Wayne Gretzky tallies his final NHL point In its endless whim against the league recession, the Colorado Rockies would supposedly snatch up my pick if I were drafted and moved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is Why Smart People Always Keep Baking Soda At Home Read More Undo Hence, Gretzky insisted that he would remain in Edmonton. Following protracted deliberations, the NHL finally agreed to a compromise: the Oilers could keep Gretzky, but their draft order would be moved to the bottom for 1979. Thus, in 1979, they held the 21st overall pick and opted for Kevin Lowe, yet another future Hall of Famer. The introduction of Gretzky into the NHL marked the beginning of the epic dynasty in Edmonton. Over nine seasons, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups and set scoring records that no one has dared to touch till today, 2,857 career points, including 894 goals and 1,963 assists. While Alex Ovechkin did put an end to the goal record in 2025, no one has matched his total supremacy since. Also Read: From Canada's hero to Donald Trump's ally? Wayne Gretzky's silence still feels like a betrayal to his home country Wayne Gretzky's undrafted road to NHL greatness is a rare story told on the stage of timing, talent, and smart maneuvering. While today's prospects follow rigid draft rules, Gretzky proved that greatness does not always need permission to begin. His legacy remains one of the most remarkable and unrepeatable in all of sports history. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who are Wayne Gretzky's kids and what do they do? A closer look at the legendary NHL star's family
All about Wayne Gretzky's 5 kids (Getty Images) Wayne Gretzky may be the most iconic name in hockey history, but at home, he's simply 'Dad.' The four-time Stanley Cup champion and NHL's all-time leader in goals, assists, and points has five children with his wife, actress Janet Jones. Their children—Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma—have each taken different paths, yet all reflect the core values Gretzky emphasized: passion, education, and family. Paulina Gretzky found her own spotlight beyond hockey fame Born in 1988, Paulina Gretzky is the eldest of the five and perhaps the most well-known, with a successful modeling career and over a million Instagram followers. She's also appeared in films like Grown Ups 2 and maintains a public presence alongside her husband, six-time World Golf Champion Dustin Johnson. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) The couple share two sons—Tatum and River—and their long relationship culminated in a stunning Tennessee wedding in 2022. Paulina once credited her father's advice for helping her navigate her love life, saying, 'The best dating advice I ever received was from my dad... weigh the pros and cons.' Ty Gretzky carries the hockey spirit through coaching and fatherhood Ty, born in 1990, inherited his father's love for the game, not on the ice as a pro, but through developing young talent. He co-founded The Gretzky Hockey School with Wayne in 2014. 'He was my hockey guy,' Wayne once said. 'He is one of my best friends and I love it.' Ty named his own daughter Sicily, and later welcomed Vienna, extending the Gretzky legacy to a new generation. His work, including the Gretzky's Basement memorabilia exhibit, keeps his family's history alive in the sport's culture. Trevor and Tristan Gretzky chose sports and entertainment over hockey Trevor, born in 1992, pursued baseball, signing with the Chicago Cubs in 2011 before transitioning into acting with roles in films alongside Bruce Willis and Chris Rock. He proposed to his partner Ashley in 2023, with Wayne proudly in attendance. Meanwhile, Tristan, the third son, embraced golf. He played at Pepperdine and NYU, and showed entrepreneurial spirit by helping recreate Wayne's famed basement into a traveling fan experience. Emma Gretzky, the youngest, is blazing her path in tennis Emma, born in 2003, plays collegiate tennis at Southern Methodist University and occasionally shares glimpses of her life on social media. Wayne remains her biggest cheerleader, saying, 'If you enjoy it, and work hard and continue to progress, good things can happen.' Gretzky has always prioritized passion and education over fame, telling Ventura County Star, 'The goal should be to get to college… everybody can get a great education.' Though none of his children followed him into the NHL, they've each carved their own unique paths—guided by values, not pressure. Also Read: From Canada's hero to Donald Trump's ally? Wayne Gretzky's silence still feels like a betrayal to his home country Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky's Golf Digest cover sparked outrage and reignited gender equity debate in golf
Golf Digest faced criticism for featuring Paulina Gretzky, rather than a professional golfer, on its cover (Image via her IG) Back in April 2014, Golf Digest made headlines—and not for a hole-in-one. The magazine's choice to feature Paulina Gretzky , the daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and fiancée of PGA star Dustin Johnson, on its cover stirred up significant backlash from the women's golf community. Despite not being a professional golfer herself, Gretzky landed the prime spot, igniting a conversation that still resonates today about representation and respect in women's sports. A cover that missed the mark for many in women's golf Golf Digest positioned the issue as part of its annual fitness edition, showcasing Paulina Gretzky in form-fitting workout wear instead of traditional golf attire. The magazine defended the decision, with editor-in-chief Jerry Tarde saying, 'Paulina ranks at the high end of the golf celebrity scene today, and she has a compelling story to tell. She also might get some new people interested in the game.' But that rationale didn't sit well with several top LPGA players. For them, it wasn't about Gretzky personally—it was about the message it sent. "It's the state of where we've always been. We don't get the respect for being the golfers we are," said then top-ranked golfer Stacy Lewis. 'Obviously, Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines, but at the same time you like to see a little respect for the women's game.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [선착순] 모발이식 단 돈 '49만원' 메디케어플래닛 더 알아보기 Undo The frustration wasn't just about one magazine cover—it highlighted the chronic underrepresentation of female athletes, even within their own sport. Veteran LPGA player Angela Stanford questioned who Golf Digest was really marketing to. 'If the answer is men 25 years old through 45 years old, then I guess that's what they have to do… but the LPGA has some attractive women and very fit women, so why not use them?' Also Read: 'Disgusting behavior': Sam Bennett sparks outrage after showing zero remorse after violent his hit left Roman Josi with lifelong condition Though it's been over ten years, Paulina Gretzky's Golf Digest cover remains a symbol of the gender disparity in sports media. It wasn't just about aesthetics—it became a flashpoint for the ongoing struggle women face in getting their accomplishments acknowledged over their appearance. For many in the game, the conversation sparked by that 2014 issue is still unfinished. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From Canada's hero to Donald Trump's ally? Wayne Gretzky's silence still feels like a betrayal to his home country
Wayne Gretzky faced criticism for his silence during a period of political tension between the U.S. and Canada (Getty Images) I n Canadian sports history, few names carry the weight and reverence of Wayne Gretzky. For decades, he wasn't just the Great One on the ice—he was a living symbol of national pride. But during a politically turbulent time in the mid-2020s, Gretzky's silence became louder than words—and for many Canadians, it hurt more than expected. The man who once roared for Canada fell silent when it mattered most In 2002, during the Salt Lake City Olympics, Gretzky passionately defended Team Canada from what he described as 'American propaganda,' rallying the nation behind its hockey heroes. 'It almost sickens my stomach to turn the TV on because I'm such a proud Canadian,' he said at the time. — IrishStarUS (@IrishStarUS) Fast forward to the Trump era, and that fire seemed to fade. While U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly jabbed at Canada—proposing to make it the 51st state and imposing damaging tariffs—Gretzky, now a naturalized American citizen living in the U.S., offered no public support to his home country. His absence from the debate didn't go unnoticed. A petition to rename Gretzky Drive in Edmonton gathered over 12,000 signatures, reflecting a sense of betrayal from fans who once saw him as the embodiment of Canadian spirit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Retirement Village Coming To Judsonia - Take A Look At The Prices QuestionHero Learn More Undo When national pride meets uncomfortable truths Gretzky's defenders, including hockey legend Bobby Orr, called the backlash 'fickle' and unfair. Orr insisted that Gretzky remained 'one of the greatest Canadians ever,' urging the public to respect his personal beliefs. Gretzky's wife, Janet, also responded on Instagram: 'He would do anything to make Canadians proud.' But what stung wasn't just Gretzky's political leanings or where he lives—it was the silence during a moment when many felt their identity and national dignity were under attack. Gretzky's image as a unifying figure was always a projection. Raised in Brantford, Ontario, and celebrated as Canada's hockey son, he built his life and family in the U.S. The illusion that he would always speak for Canada shattered during those politically charged years. Also Read: Wayne Gretzky creates controversy, blames Oilers' Stanley Cup collapse on unforgivable goalie decision This throwback isn't about vilifying a legend. It's a reflection on how deeply national identity and sports heroes are intertwined—and how silence, in the wrong moment, can echo louder than any goal ever scored. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
