Wayne Gretzky the best hockey player of all times was born in January 26, 1961 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He set 61 National Hockey League records and played in 18 All-Star games in his 21 year career.

Gretzky began skating when he was about 3 years old. His father was an amateur hockey player, flooded the backyard with water to create a makeshift ice rink, hanging up lights around it, so the young Gretzky could skate at night.

At age 6, Gretzky began playing on the Brantford Novice All-Star team, and was better than many of the older boys in the Bantam League. As the only Canadien representative in the Junior World Cup tournament held in Montreal 1977, Gretzky was the youngest player and the leading scorer. He turned professional the next year, making his debut with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Assocation. in Late 1978, his contract was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, one of the succesful teams in the NHL.

Gretzky led the Oilers to 4 Stanley Cup Championships during the 1980s. In his best season, he scored 92 goals still an NHL record. When he changed to Los Angeles Kings in 1988, it became somewhat of a national tragedy in Canada. His career continued througout the next decade with the Kings, the St.Louis Blues and the New York Rangers. in April 99, Gretzky hung up his skates after 21 years as a professional. His incredible number of successes include career and single game records in Goals, assists and points. in November 99, the "Great one" was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

by Patrick Krienbühl