I'm very disappointed I'm only finding about Gretzy's wonderful dad after his passing. What a wonderful man. Reminds me of my father, and that makes me proud.
Please ignore my username.. but i meet this man (Walter Gretzky) almost every day when im at work. He is the ambassador for Brantford Ontario and gets free food at the McDonalds i work at. I also meet him at numerous Brantford Red Sox baseball games. He is a really cool guy!
Wow this interview can truly show you how great of a father Walter Gretzky was. Walters vibe and energy is amazing. He must’ve been inspiring Wayne in ways he doesn’t understand, but Wayne remembers
I lived a couple blocks (country blocks) from him in the 90s when I was a kid. I had the fantastic privilege of having Walter Gretzky teach myself, my brother and our friends how to play hockey at the local indoor and outdoor rinks.
What made Walter Gretzky a great hockey parent was that he let his son be a kid, and that he set him a good example. If you yell and scream because your child isn't getting enough ice time even though he's the best player on the ice, your child won't go anywhere in hockey. Kids become great hockey players by learning how to play as part of a team and by enjoying the game enough that they become truly dedicated enough. Parents set good or bad examples by how they act.
My parents lived on the next street over from where the Gretzkys lived. I came home one weekend and my dad and I went to the Brantford Mall for a bit. All the old retired guys used to hang there. My dad sees Walt and waves him over and tells Walt this is my son I told you about etc. I shake Walt’s hand and say hi Mr Gretzky Nice to meet you. Of course Walt says call me Walt. After a few Minutes he leaves and my dad asks me how do I k ow that guy?? I said dad that’s Wayne Gretzkys dad! My dad couldn’t believe it. He talked to Walt for years and Walt never once bragged or boasted. My dad was totally shocked. Lol. Great men both of them!!!
hey shawn, stumbled onto this, are you doing the interview? I've been in the shrine three times in my life... and now just learning of walter's passing ive been looking up old stuff on him... and smiling... really gonna miss him man..
If I had a father similar to Walter, I think a would have got drafted in baseball. I too was obsessed with baseball and hockey growing up NE of Cleveland, OH. My dad just plain booked when I was 4. I didn't have that fatherly influence. Thankfully my mom was sort of the Walter personality. She worked long hours but would always surprise me with old equipment from the old AHL Cleveland Barons back in early 70's that was given to her from work connections. But I wish I had that dad like Walter. You were a great father, Walter, and your entire family shows that.
What a gem of a man! I guess there somethings you just can't teach kids. I was similar (with ballhockey tho) when I used to pass to all the girls cause I wanted to see them score. Other boys used to ask why I'd pass to them as they sucked. lol The thought just came to me naturally. I guess Wayne had that as well. You can teach pass people how to pass...but the ability to think pass first usually comes naturally.
It's uncanny the similarities between observations of Walter Gretzky and Earl Woods when reminiscing of theirs son's youthful dedication. But without a Fathers love and devoted support? Questionable.
one kid had no goal the whole year. Wayne told Walter I' m goint to be sure he's going to get a goal and the kid got 2. Wow so young and thinking about his unfortunate teammate.
Oh, and even if they don't become great hockey players, they grow up to become great people. Sports, especially team sports, has huge potential to make kids into upright and responsible adults. But too many psychotic parents ruin that. I played nine years of minor hockey not too long ago (I'm 21 now), so I witnessed lots of crap first hand. But Walter is the best.
Well you can only buy about half of this. I've seen interviews with either Walter or Wayne where it was a different story, of interveiws with Wayne where he whined bout his old man being hard and forcing it on him.
