“Before They Would Hit Me, They Would Scream My Name”: Fierce Opponents Led Wayne Gretzky to Retire, Revealed in 2014

Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest NHL players, once revealed that he could not face his rivals’ actions toward the end of his career. This action led Gretzky to make a crucial decision. Wayne Gretzky knew when to retire. It was not just a feeling that his body had weakened, but was also the need of the hour.

 In an old talk show, “The Greatest One” confessed what made him quit the sport he loved.

Was Wayne Gretzky forced to quit from NHL?

Gretzky retired as a New York Rangers player after the 1999 season. Although it was sad for the league to bid farewell to its star player, everyone knew the day would come sooner or later.

However, in 2014, when Gretzky appeared on the TBS Conan show, he revealed the exact reason for his retirement. The legendary player confessed, “I got hit. I didn’t get hit as much as people probably wanted me to get hit, especially on the opposing teams.” As shocking as it may sound, Gretzky revealed that he was usually the opponent’s main target, and they did not even try to hide it during the games.

While recalling his final matches, Gretzky stated, “But I knew it was time to retire when I was playing my last year, and people I was playing against before they would hit me, they would scream my name. And I remember thinking, ‘Wow, something’s not right about this.'”

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Gretzky confessed that this was the exact moment Gretzky realized that it was time to “call it quits” from the sport. Does this confession mean Gretzky would have played in the NHL for a few more years before retiring? But again, the opposition players’ were a no match to the GOAT’s speed.

Gretzky was a nightmare for his rivals

Gretzky’s oppositions were well aware of his skills and how the legend could win the match even in the dying minutes of the game. Hence, they always tried to play a physical game against him.

However, they rarely caught up to the legend in the rink. Secondly, Gretzky had teammates Dave Semenko and Marty McSorley by his side. If any rival player hit Gretzky or fouled him, Semenko and McSorley ensured that they hit the opposition harder than their legendary teammate received. Hence, a threat from these two strong players always kept the opposition at bay.

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However, Gretzky knew his time had come to quit and follow the league from the sidelines.