“Were Everything to Me”: Wayne Gretzky Reminisces About the Ice Hockey Legend Who Got Him the Rocket Richard Award

The NHL’s all-time scoring leader and record-setter, Wayne Gretzky, is a household name. Names like “White Tornado” and “Great One” have been bestowed upon him in recognition of his outstanding career. It took Gretzky a long time to get where he is now, but the road there wasn’t easy. Even in the twilight of his career, he was able to reap certain rewards, making it an exceptional time in his life.

Wayne Gretzky recently shared an Instagram post in which he reflected on a pivotal occasion from the latter years of his ice hockey career. The Great One speaks of the legendary Rocket, aka Maurice Richard. In it, he talks about an unforgettable experience he had with The Rocket, about which he is still overjoyed.

One of the best moments in the life of Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky gives a tour of his home and reveals that he does not have every single one of his awards. Most of his awards, he says, are stored at his parent’s place. The Great One then transitions into a discussion about ice hockey great Maurice Richard. Richard’s career is perhaps the finest in the league. He was one of the names that came to dominate the league during its heyday. His incredible pace earned him the moniker “The Rocket,” and he also achieved that moniker by scoring the first ever 50-goal season in 1944–1945. To commemorate Maurice Richard’s legacy, the Rocket Richard Trophy was first presented during the 1998–1999 season.

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The Great One, however, has preserved the Rocket Richard Trophy in his own home. As a result, he details the meeting with Maurice Richard and the subsequent presentation of the Rocket Richard Trophy in the video. The golden award has Gretzky’s name and the date September 19th, 1988. One of the video’s viewers gushed about how moving it was to hear the Great One tell his story. The comment read, “The Great One made me cry. Your respect for the game and those who skated before & after you are unmatched. Thank you for sharing this with everyone.” Gretzky also replied to the comment, saying, “Those older guys were everything to me.” Gretzky’s openness about his feelings and the significance of hockey to him will resonate with every fan of the NHL.

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