Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born in Brantford,
Ontario, Canada on January 26, 1961. His parents Walter
and Phyllis Gretzky. Wayne has three brothers: Keith,
Glen and Brent and one sister, Kim. Wayne began skating
at the age of 2, the Nith River, below his grandparents
farm. Wayne grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada,
as many Canadian kids do, and otherwise playing hockey
at every possible moment. The backyard rink at their
Varadi Ave. home was to become the molding ground for
a hockey superstar. He began playing organized hocky
at the age of 6 (two years before he was technically
eligble to play). He gradually developed from 1 goal
in his minor hockey rookie year, to as high as 196 goals
and 76 assists in 1970-71 as a nine and 10 year-old.
The rest is history...from his junior days with the
Soo Greyhounds ...his pro beginnings in the WHA...4
Stanley Cups...countless records, awards...the big trade
to the Kings...more records...today. Gretzky retired
from the NHL in 1999. In his last game vs. the Pittsburgh
Penguins on April 29th 1999, he recorded his 2857th
point in his 1487th game. Gretzky was inducted into
the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.
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