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Wayne Gretzky is disappointed with his performance at today's Heritage Classic alumni game between the Jets and Oilers squads. He was held pointless and was barely noticeable on the ice. As a result, he has stated that it may have been the last time that he would ever lace up his skates for the public.
Wayne has always had the comfort of knowing that he is the best player of all time. To not be able to perform at a sufficient level relative to his competition anymore seems to have hurt his innate sense of pride. He comments here on Mark Messier's performance, stating that he is impressed at how good he still is; meanwhile, Wayne's own skills have diminished, and his reaction to his play has been very negative.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-winnipeg-alumni-game-might-last/
Two days prior, he said this:
https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-eager-for-heritage-classic-alumni-game/c-282874942
If it is about the community first and all of the wonderful things that he acknowledges these events are about, then it seems contradictory for Wayne to stop participating in alumni games on the basis of his declining play. Nobody cares about how many goals he scores or how effective he is -- they just want to see him; they want to celebrate a wonderful history between two teams and a city's love of hockey. To be involved with the community and take part in these sorts of festivities is the key part of being an ambassador. For him to be on the ice at the alumni game today means something to a lot of people, and is especially appreciated by the people of Winnipeg.
To worry so much about his play and potentially refuse to take part in future events is contradictory to his role as an ambassador for the sport, and as a link between the community and the game. This was for the fans, and it's disappointing to see that Gretzky would put the preservation of his self-image ahead of that.
Prior to the game, these were his words; his performance at the game itself only worsened his confidence in himself and reaffirmed his doubts:
https://www.nhl.com/news/gretzky-says-alumni-game-at-could-be-one-of-his-last/c-282841788?tid=281290524
Dale Hawerchuk understands the purpose of the alumni game:
He seems embarrassed by his play, which is sad. He shouldn't feel that way. It should not deter him from being involved in these events.
Wayne has always had the comfort of knowing that he is the best player of all time. To not be able to perform at a sufficient level relative to his competition anymore seems to have hurt his innate sense of pride. He comments here on Mark Messier's performance, stating that he is impressed at how good he still is; meanwhile, Wayne's own skills have diminished, and his reaction to his play has been very negative.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-winnipeg-alumni-game-might-last/
Wayne Gretzky: Winnipeg alumni game ‘might have been my last’
Sportsnet Staff October 22, 2016, 7:36 PM
The Winnipeg Jets-Edmonton Oilers alumni game played Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Heritage Classic thrilled fans. With many all-time greats on the ice, Teemu Selanne stole the show with two goals, including the game-winner on a penalty shot with only seconds remaining.
The Great One was there, too, playing in his second outdoor game. He was held off the score sheet and said after the game that it may be the last time hockey fans see him on the ice.
“That might have been my last game,” Gretzky said.
...
Why is Gretzky thinking this game may be his last?
"I stink. I'm really bad." he added. "At least I forewarned people. Mark went down and he snapped that first goal and went down and snapped the second one, and I was, like, oh, my God, he can still play. Nobody's thinking that about Wayne Gretzky."
...
Two days prior, he said this:
https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-eager-for-heritage-classic-alumni-game/c-282874942
Today's realization seems to have hurt him. It also shows that he might not have his priorities in the proper order as far as community events are concerned. He cares too much about whether or not he plays well and its effect on the perception that others have of him. I think that his role as an ambassador should come before that. His appearance at these events is special, so for him to not participate in future events on the basis of his play would be to go against his role as an ambassador and as a community figure. People are just happy for him to attend.Wayne Gretzky eager for Heritage Classic alumni game
NHL's all-time scoring leader says he won't deliver much himself but promises competitive event
by Dan Rosen @drosennhl / NHL.com Senior Writer
October 20th, 2016
NEW YORK -- A now 55-year-old Wayne Gretzky insists he isn't being modest when he talks about how when the skates go on, he doesn't come close to resembling the player he used to be.
"It's a fact," Gretzky said Thursday prior to going to the NHL Powered by Reebok Store to autograph copies of his new book, "99: Stories of the Game," for a throng of gushing fans.
Copy that, but does he have enough to give the people of Winnipeg a show Saturday during the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic alumni game at Investors Group Field between former members of the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets (4 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports)?
Like, can he still skate circles around guys with the puck on his stick?
"Oh listen," Gretzky said, "I can't dangle."
How about a goal? Does he still have a few left on his stick?
"I hope I get a shot on net," Gretzky said. "Somebody said the best time to retire is when people say you know you could play one more year. I said, 'I got nine goals, that used to be a good month.' When you get nine goals in (70) games, it's time to retire."
Yeah, he also had 53 assists in his last NHL season, 1998-99, but we digress.
For Gretzky, this weekend in Winnipeg and the alumni game Saturday is less about what he can still do on the ice and more about what the game can and still does for people.
"It's about the community, it's about the game, it's about the NHL, it's about raising money for charities," Gretzky said. "Everybody wins."
...
"When the team was being formed and the Oilers and the League were involved in making sure the right guys were there, getting the group together, the one thing I said is, 'I know Curtis Joseph is in really good shape and he can still stop pucks, we need him in net,' " Gretzky said. "So I guess it gets competitive before you even get out there.
"The hockey won't be quite as good, but the attention to detail and the trying will be exactly the same as when we played."
...
If it is about the community first and all of the wonderful things that he acknowledges these events are about, then it seems contradictory for Wayne to stop participating in alumni games on the basis of his declining play. Nobody cares about how many goals he scores or how effective he is -- they just want to see him; they want to celebrate a wonderful history between two teams and a city's love of hockey. To be involved with the community and take part in these sorts of festivities is the key part of being an ambassador. For him to be on the ice at the alumni game today means something to a lot of people, and is especially appreciated by the people of Winnipeg.
To worry so much about his play and potentially refuse to take part in future events is contradictory to his role as an ambassador for the sport, and as a link between the community and the game. This was for the fans, and it's disappointing to see that Gretzky would put the preservation of his self-image ahead of that.
Prior to the game, these were his words; his performance at the game itself only worsened his confidence in himself and reaffirmed his doubts:
https://www.nhl.com/news/gretzky-says-alumni-game-at-could-be-one-of-his-last/c-282841788?tid=281290524
That's not the point of these alumni games. His reaction to his play in the aftermath of the game was even more somber, as he seemed flustered and slightly bitter.Wayne Gretzky almost ready to hang up skates
NHL's all-time scoring leader, now 55, says alumni game at Heritage Classic could be one of his last
by Tim Campbell @TimNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
October 19th, 2016
...
"I'll play the outdoor game, that probably could be one of my last games," Gretzky said. "I don't skate a lot or get out there. I only have a couple of more of those games in me, I can guarantee you that."
These days, the Great One plays or skates less often that most fans may think.
"I have a bag of equipment, and I skate once a year and when I put mine back in the garage, I say, 'That was a lot of fun, I need to do that again,' and I don't get it out for another year," he said. "I'm just not as good as I used to be, I'm the really the OK One now, not even Good One.
...
Dale Hawerchuk understands the purpose of the alumni game:
During the post-event press conference, Wayne made this remark when asked about his play:...
"That's the biggest thing, a reunion," former Jets captain Dale Hawerchuk said. "It's been a long time with certain guys. That part's going to be fun and exciting. To play outdoors in a big stadium, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We're all getting up in age here. I retired because of my hip … and guys have had [surgery on] knees and shoulders and more.
"I know the players are looking forward to it, and the fans from that era, I hope they enjoy seeing the old names and faces that used to skate on ice at the old [Winnipeg] Arena for the Jets. It's kind of history week.
...
"When you play in the NHL, you know, playing in the NHL, you get to play with the greatest players and you meet the nicest people and the greatest memories, and there's only one National Hockey League.
When I retired from there, that was it. I can't -- I don't have the same excitement to go play pickup hockey with buddies. I love the game. I love every aspect of the game. But I have no interest to play with guys who were not at my level at one point in time. So I don't play hockey anymore. I play once a year. I love it when I do go out there. But, you know, I'm 56 in two months and, you know, that might have been my -- I'm not doing a roadshow -- that might have been my last game. It's hard now when it's just tough to tie up your laces."
He seems embarrassed by his play, which is sad. He shouldn't feel that way. It should not deter him from being involved in these events.
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