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Wayne Douglas Gretzky
After his retirement
A short time after he had retired, several groups approached him about an ownership role. He eventually bought a 10% stake in the Phoenix Coyotes. He also convinced his long-time agent Michael Barnett to become the General Manager of the team. And in 2005 he became the
head coach of the team.
Gretzky was Executive Director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, and again in Italy in 2006 ("Gretzky Returns", 2006)
In 2003, he attended the Oilers' 25th anniversary in the NHL. The
heritage classic was the first game played outdoors.
His life after he stopped playing
Off the ice, Gretzky also has a family. He met his wife, actress Janet
Jones, when he was a judge on "Dance Fever". They later got married and now have 5 children.
Gretzky also took part in several business ventures. He bought the Hull Olympiques of the Major Junior Hockey League in 1985, and in 1991 he purchased the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. In May 2008, his restaurant, "Wayne Gretzky's", opened. Finally, he was also a partner in First Team Sports, a maker of sports equipment ("Tied by…", 2006)
In 2006, Gretzky's assistant coach was charged for operating an illegal operating ring. Gretzky and his wife were suspected of gambling, but denied any wrong-doing and were never charged with anything ("Gretzky Wife", 2006)
His transactions
Gretzky's transactions include being signed as a free agent in the Indianapolis Racers in June 12, 1978; traded by the Indianapolis Racers, with Peter Driscoll and Edie Mio for 700,000$ in November 2, 1978 ; traded by the Edmonton Oilers with Mile Krushelynski and Marty McSorley in exchange for Jimmy Carson and Martin Gelinas August 9, 1988; traded by the Los Angeles Kings to St. Louis Blues in exchange for Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson and Patrice Tardif in February 27, 1996; signed off as a free agent with the New York Rangers in July 21, 1996.
During his playing career, Gretzky has broken several records. In the season of 1981-2, while in the Edmonton Oilers, he scored 92 goals. Then, in 1984-5 in the playoff season he scored 47 points. Later in 1985-6 he achieved 163 assists and 215 points!
He also won some medals in his international play. In the years 1984, 1987 and
1991 he won gold medals, in 1981 and 1996 he won silver medals and in 1978 and 1982 he won bronze medals.
Finally, his coaching record shows that he has succeeded in leading the Phoenix team to 67 to 83 points between 2005 and 2008. the team was in the 5th or 4th place among all groups.
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