“Listen, Bring Whoever You Want” – Hockey Legend Wayne Gretzky Shares His Secret Party Hosting Beer and BBQ Banquet, Evading the KGB’s Watchful Eye

Even the worst of rivalries can be forgotten over a bottle of beer. The 62-year-old former ice hockey player shared a gripping tale about how he played host to his rival team, the Russians, during the Cold War when tensions between nations were frostier than an ice hockey rink. 

In a recent interview with Spittin’ Chiclets, ice hockey icon, Wayne Gretzky, shared his iconic rendezvous off the rink in defiance of the KGB’s strict no-alcohol policy. This unveils the human side of international rivalries and Gretzky’s tale tells a narrative of pulling off a risk for the sake of friendship and camaraderie.  

Gretzky’s daring covert dinner escapade

In 1984, the former NHL player Gretzky got an opportunity to meet the Russian team, sparking a friendship that transcended the Cold War’s boundaries, ideologies, and political tension. Despite being placed on opposing sides, his friendship with Russian ice hockey star, Igor Larionov, “the professor”, had blossomed on the grounds of sharing mutual respect. 

Ahead of the 1987 Canada Cup, Larionov proposed to have dinner together and suggested bringing the Soviet head coach, Viktor Tikhonov along with a few other members. However, the request was followed by another condition as Gretzky informed, “He said ‘but, [Soviet head coach Viktor] Tikhonov has to come, and two KGB guys.”

Gretzky’s parents lived only 20 minutes away from the tournament venue and the location for the clandestine dinner had been set to be in their backyard. However, what unfolded during the barbeque night was an act of defiance. 

Friendship knows no boundaries

Gretzky took the responsibility to execute the backyard barbeque escaping the rigid rules of the KGB. He had planned everything and stationed a friend named Charlie Henry at the top of the stairs as a lookout. Meanwhile, he ushered the five Soviet players into his home. 

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The risk they took paid off  as the players had a great time, “They were so happy and so thrilled and so thankful. I showed them all my trophies and memorabilia and everything. They all spoke pretty good English. We had one beer, sat down there. They loved it. We went upstairs. It was unreal.”

At a time, when geopolitical tensions between nations were palpable during the Cold War, the act of coming together over a dinner party acted as an ice breaker. Gretzky and the Soviet players shared a love for the game and their common desire bridged the gap between the two hockey leagues, NHL and Soviet hockey. 

Hence, the backyard barbeque was not merely a covert beer session as it fostered human connections transcending the limiting factors of rivalry and political tension. As Gretzky reminisced about the moment that transpired amidst the Cold War, the incident embodied a sentiment that blurred every difference giving rise to a sense of unity. 

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