Latest news with #TheGreatOne
Time of India
28-06-2025
- 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
17-06-2025
- Sport
- 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.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wayne Gretzky Reveals Early Origin of 'The Great One' Nickname
Wayne Gretzky Reveals Early Origin of 'The Great One' Nickname originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As unbelievable as it sounds, Wayne Gretzky was 'The Great One' way before he legitimately became the greatest NHL player of all time. Advertisement Gretzky was just another 10-year-old kid from Brantford, Ontario, lighting up scoreboards by the time he got his nickname. He was so good that he went on to score 400 goals in a single season, in a rather big sign of things to come later in his professional career, including breaking many records, winning multiple Stanley Cups, and ultimately making it to the Hockey Hall of Fame. As Gretzky revealed before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final, that 400-goal year caught the attention of a reporter from the London Free Press, who came to write a story. Right at the end of the article, the reporter made a suggestion that ended up sticking for life. Advertisement 'I was 10 years old," Gretzky said. "A reporter from the London Free Press came down and did a story on me — I scored 400 goals that year. "At the end of the article, he said, 'NHL guys have one nickname — Mr. Hockey, the Golden Jet. And he said, 'We should just call him The Great One.'' Right there, however, Gretzky made it sound like his father wasn't thrilled with his kid getting labeled as such. Wayne Gretzky speaks amid the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images 'Well, my dad tried to kill that right away,' Gretzky said. 'And it just kept coming back and coming back.' At the end of the day, the nickname fit Gretzky like a glove, and the reporter got vindicated for his early take on the young phenom's talents. Advertisement By the time Gretzky retired in 1999, he held 61 NHL records, including scoring 894 goals and 2,857 points, as well as hoisting four Cups, appearing in 18 All-Star games, and many more accolades. 'Finally, I just was like, 'Well, we're going to have to live with it,'' Gretzky finished. Related: Taylor Swift's Gesture in Oilers-Panthers Game Reflects Stanley Cup Final Madness Related: Oilers Coach's 'Unfortunate' Message About Stuart Skinner Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky sparks controversy by accusing Florida Panthers of buying success with tax loopholes
Wayne Gretzky sparked debate by highlighting financial disparities in the NHL (Getty Images) Wayne Gretzky, the face of hockey greatness, has ignited a fierce debate that goes beyond the ice rink—one that's raising eyebrows across NHL circles and beyond. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, "The Great One" opened up about the financial disparities in the league, taking subtle aim at how no-state-income-tax franchises like the Florida Panthers might be gaining an upper hand in the talent war. Wayne Gretzky says NHL players face a 'business decision' between culture and cash Speaking candidly, Wayne Gretzky stated, 'Obviously Florida and Tampa Bay is a unique situation…from a financial point of view, if that's what a player's thinking about, obviously, but if a player's thinking, you know, what I want to play in a hockey culture, like playing and living in the city of Edmonton, I loved it for 10 years.' Wayne Gretzky Breaks Down The Stanley Cup Finals, Keys To His Success, & His Terrible Golf Game Gretzky's words struck a chord—highlighting the growing tension between market-driven decisions and hockey's traditional roots. While Florida teams like the Panthers can offer higher take-home pay due to their tax structure, cities like Edmonton offer something money can't buy: fan intensity and legacy. Florida's financial edge sparks fairness concerns across the NHL The Panthers' on-ice success, including multiple Stanley Cup Final runs, has coincided with the state's tax-friendly policies, allowing the team to recruit and retain talent without overspending. That advantage, though legal, raises a question of fairness. Could this be undermining the NHL's competitive balance? Gretzky didn't directly accuse teams of exploiting the tax loophole—but his tone was clear. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The new hoseless mobile air conditioner does not require installation (search now) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo When discussing Edmonton, he reflected, 'You leave the arena in Edmonton, you know you've been in a hockey game…1.3 million have watched that game and the other 200,000…the only reason they didn't is because they were working.' Panthers coach pushes back with a collaborative vision for South Florida sports ECF Game 3 Reaction vs Carolina | 5.24.25 In response to the buzz, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice emphasized the area's growing sports culture and praised efforts to build community over competition. 'I think there's room for all of us down here…So how about we just share it? We share the spotlight,' he said. Maurice also lauded GM Bill Zito's cross-sport cooperation with the Dolphins and Marlins, saying, 'Bill's been kind of involved. Best practices…our team services people get together, right, to scout out the best of things when we travel.' Also Read: 'It took a toll': Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky opens up about parenting struggles, body image In the end, Gretzky's comments have lit a fuse—pitting hockey tradition against market innovation. Will the NHL respond, or will this "business decision" divide only grow wider?
Global News
04-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Gloves worn by Wayne Gretzky during his last Stanley Cup run with the Oilers up for auction
A pair of gloves worn by Wayne Gretzky during his last Stanley Cup run with the Edmonton Oilers is going up for auction. Sotheby's announced Wednesday that bidding is underway for the Hockey Hall of Famer's game-worn gloves from the 1988 NHL playoffs. Bidding will close June 16. In a release, Sotheby's said the gloves are 'photo matched' to Gretzky's last game with Edmonton and the pair is estimated to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000. Story continues below advertisement Gretzky had 43 points in 19 games during the '88 playoffs as the Oilers won their fourth Stanley Cup in five years, sweeping the Boston Bruins in the final. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The Great One' was traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the start of the next season and did not win another Stanley Cup. The announcement of the auction came on the same day of Game 1 of the 2024-25 Stanley Cup final between the Oilers and the Florida Panthers. 1:57 Edmonton Oilers advance to Stanley Cup Finals
