A Tour Inside Wayne Gretzky’s Childhood Home

Very few are as revered and idolized as Wayne Gretzky in Canada. Canada’s one of the greatest sportsmen, Gretzky ruled the game for nearly two decades and achieved every single record one can hope to achieve in Ice Hockey. Naturally, every possible belonging of The Great One is like a Holy Relic for Canadians, and his childhood home is no less than a shrine or a heritage site for all NHL fans. A tour to Brantford, Ontario to find one of the original 1950s housing development, would lead to the original home that Gretzky grew up in. Tommy Smythe of ‘Great Canadian Homes’ did exactly that.

In 2017, International designer Tommy Smythe, as part of his ‘Great Canadian Homes’ series for HGTV, visited the childhood home of Wayne Gretzky to be received by the late Walter Gretzky, Gretzky’s father. Several fascinating and nostalgic memorabilia involving the Edmonton Oilers’ legend came to light as part of this tour.

Wayne Gretzky’s father revisits his son’s early childhood memories with Smythe

The moment Walter Gretzky, then 79 years old, received Smythe at the door, he was warm and courteous as ever. He said, “Tommy, How are you? Come on in…. It’s nice to see you”, before following it up with “Absolutely! Come on in and see all the trophies that we have in this household and all the other items,” aiding Smythe’s request of seeing his house. The pride in Walter Gretzky’s voice was palpable.

They proceed to the swimming pool in the backyard where a young Wayne Gretzky would spend hours practicing by the pool. He would attach two nets on both sides and sometimes even practice till midnight, as Walter Gretzky shared. Smythe was quick to see the early dedication that would make Wayne Gretzky into The Great One.

READ MORE – “He Didn’t Want to Leave”: Wayne Gretzky Paid Emotional Tribute to Father Walter Following His Demise in 2021

Smythe remarked, “A lot of Canadians would consider this a sacred site,” a sentiment mentioned above. Agreeing to it, Walter Gretzky responded, “I’m Canadian and I consider this to be a very sacred site too”. After that, Both Gretzky Sr. and Smythe proceeded to the special segment of the house. That’s the room that hides all of Gretzky’s greatest memories.

The basement room that hides all of Wayne Gretzky’s early achievements

At the prospect of showing Smythe his son’s greatest achievements, Walter Gretzky lighted up in joy. He said, “Oh Yes! There’s all the trophies. Yea! We’ll see the next”. It was a basement room full of hockey memorabilia that looked like a museum. Smythe’s eyes were wide open at the sight of the room. Walter Gretzky said, “Now when you hear me say I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes, you know what I mean,” his heart brimming with pride and satisfaction at the sight of the room.

He continued, “Can you imagine all the experiences? It’s our whole life. When I come down here, I don’t think of one of our children, I think of the whole family,” which is what Wayne Gretzky’s biggest achievement has been – to bring unbound joy into his parent’s life. Seeking his father’s advice through the highest of times as well as the lowest of times in his career is what kept Gretzky humble and rooted.

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Despite its metaphorical usage, a visit to Wayne Gretzky’s childhood home was no less than a pilgrimage for any NHL fan.