Wayne Gretzky Told Us The Real Reason He Was Traded To LA

Wayne Gretzky joined Spittin' Chiclets and broke down the real reason behind his trade from Edmonton to LA.

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[Kodlak]

I met Walter Gretzky (Wayne’s dad) at a hockey tournament I was playing at as a young kid. I was writing a biography about Wayne for a school project at the time, and he took the time to write down Wayne’s whole story from his perspective to help me with my project, all while sharing his fries and soda with me. It was a very memorable experience, and he seemed like a very kind and humble man. He definitely deserves credit for helping Wayne become what he was as a hockey player and what he still is today as a man. It’s awesome hearing Wayne talk about his dad.

[RC-fhlk]

I could listen to Wayne tell hockey stories all day!!

[notrussianbot]

Edmonton Oiler fan, I was lucky enough to see 99 play a few times. I watched the trade press conference live. The whole city went into shock. We loved Wayne, but we loathed Peter Pocklington. Edmonton will never forget the great one. Thank you for all you did for us Wayne, we would not be the same city without you.

[thomaslabelle]

Image being Vancouver when you offer 25% ownership and he doesn't even call you back or consider the team as an option 😂

[remmost]

Born and raised in Edmonton…. Still remember the day when I ran upstairs (8 yr old kid) to tell my mom to put on the news that Gretzky was being traded …… totally CRUSHED

[bradr]

Being a Detroit guy I would have loved having Wayne as a Redwing but him going to LA was probably the best thing ever for hockey.

[ac]

More hockey legends need to be in the media like this. It’s good for the sport of hockey and it shows the rest of the sports world that some hockey players have a personality

[scandinavianflickgd]

Wayne coming to LA was the best thing to happen not just from a Kings fan standpoint, but for hockey in general. It got major eyes on the sport and for young kids like me who didnt know about hockey. Wayne became the Gordie Howe in LA and we can never thank him enough what hes done for the sport.

[pranavsambamurti]

Always the Great One! The most humble Superstar who ever lived!

[jimgray]

It must have been such a great honour to sit in that room and listen to a legend talk for an hour. I wonder if RA even gave them all autographs after.

[tradingnasdaq]

love that story.. Shows how smart Walter really was..

[ckendall]

This was also the 1st year that teams began the tradition of team pic at centre ice with the Stanley Cup. I believe Gretzky once stated that he sorta sensed that this might be the last big run with the Oilers as they were at the time so he gathered everyone at centre ice for a big team picture with the Cup. And that's how that tradition began. Of course, it has since come out that his father told him inside the team dressing room that they were going to trade Gretzky to the 'highest bidder'. Meanwhile, the LA Kings that offseason had promised big changes at the same time as well, they 're-branded' with the new 'Silver N' Black' sweaters that offseason as well. I guess initially nobody really put the two situations together - the Kings making bold statements about 'big changes' to their team, while at the same team behind the scenes the Oilers were dangling Wayne Gretzky to all comers. Well....the rest is history as they say.

[bluebear]

That would have been a reunion of sorts between Gretzky and Nelson Skelbania had he gone to Vancouver. I say that because Skelbania was the owner at the time Gretzky signed his first pro contract with the WHA's Indianapolis Racers. However, his time was limited there before being sent to Edmonton.

[kimmolaine]

Gretzky and Kurri in LA was the start of my Kings fandom as a little kid. I've sticked around since. :)

[craigschulz]

I worked for Puck when he owned Palm Dairies in Edmonton. Gretzky was traded because Peter needed money. The Alberta Government was calling in his loan. McNall was the only guy who was able to come up with the required cash. Puck never cared about the players. Saw them as cattle

[soysauce]

As a Kings fan, thank you Mr Walter Gretzky!

[thegoldrobber]

But WHY was he traded???? Pocklington was in deep financial trouble with his outside businesses so he SOLD Gretzky for picks, players AND $15 million cash US which is the equivalent to $40 million US today.

[JC-semi]

Gretzky’s Tears by Stephen Brunt. Great book about the details of the trade.

[TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

I met him on a plane to LA from Toronto in the early 90s and shook his hand before going through the metal detector to board…. I was early teens and on the plane, mom and I were at the front of economy, he at the back of first class, basically a row away and I got the stewardess to get me an autograph, unfortunately I’ve lost it, oh well I have the memories…

[waltwenzel]

Wayne grew hockey in LA like nothing else. I was an amateur player in SoCal when the trade occurred, and so many nice facilities to accommodate hockey were built and a real awareness of the game amongst people here was obvious. Thanks Wayne.