Just for Behind the Scenes, Wayne Gretzky Needs Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith

Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was one of the speakers for TNT who specialized in NHL commentary. Gretzky is arguably the greatest player to ever grace the sport. His outstanding record in his NHL career has granted him the moniker of ‘the great one’.

He presently works as an analyst for Warner Bros. Discovery Sports’ studio show The NHL on TNT. Speaking about his experience as a professional commentator, he discussed his views with The Hollywood Reporter in a 2021 interview. 

Wayne Gretzky and his analysis of NHL on national television

Gretzky believes that the heart of the show has always been hockey. Regardless of the fact that the show combines serious news with candid lighthearted segments, the athlete believes that the crew is doing a tremendous job.

“I think we all admire the chemistry and the show that the NBA does,” he says. “They have done such a tremendous job that we are just trying to be one quarter as good as they are, in the sense that they are lighthearted, yet they are serious.” In addition, the athlete states, “they can be in some ways a little bit controversial but not overstepping the bounds, there are more positives than negatives, and I think people want to hear that.”

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Wayne Gretzky discussed his unconventional diet in the talk show.“Depending on which city we are in, if it was Chicago, there’d be pizza in the building, if its Quebec City there’d be hot dogs, in some cities we’d have sandwiches,” he said.

Gretzky had an unconventional pre-game diet

“In those days we didn’t have power bars or Gatorade. For me, id drink diet coke. I found that to be the same sort of stimulation as an energy drink.” Continued the retired sportsman, “And we’d have chocolate bars, we didn’t have power bars.”

The 61-year-old explained that during his time, food choices were limited. He stated that he had chocolate bars instead of power bars for energy. Most times, this would last throughout the game. Although sometimes he’d be hungry after the first or second period. More often than not, he would have a sandwich or something else for that extra energy.

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In addition, Wayne stated, “I think my body, physically and mentally I got so used to it that I had to have it.”