Guest Post: When 99 turns 50
Happy Birthday, Wayne
BY FRANK McKENNA
It took Wayne Gretzky, the 17-year old centre for the Indianapolis Racers, five games to score his first professional goal, interestingly enough against the Edmonton Oilers. Four seconds later, he potted another.
Thus began one of the most exciting scoring streaks in professional sport.
The Great One scored with millions of people around the world. Not just hockey fans, but everyone who enjoys the thrill of incredible performances. He reached legendary status. And in doing so became one of Canada’s most famous ambassadors. And what a great ambassador he was – and remains.
Wayne is a well-grounded, decent human being. In all his success, he has stayed true to the values he was taught as a young kid: hard work, loyalty and dedication.
I don’t think he has ever lost the anticipation of lacing up his skates for the first time on his grandparent’s farm, nor the excitement of those first few strides. He still finds pure joy in the game.
The magic is in the moments Wayne created. Every time he touched the puck, circled the play, set-up shop behind the opponent's net. We never tired of his show. Though, it must be said, Leaf fans would like to forget about one particular goal in 1993, which robbed the nation of a Montreal-Toronto Stanley Cup Final!
Wayne turned 50 today. For me, and countless others, he will always be a magical 99.
Happy birthday, Wayne!
Your friend and fan,
Frank
Frank McKenna is Deputy Chair of TD Bank Group and works closely with Wayne as a TD brand ambassador. Frank has served as the Canadian Ambassador to the United States and Premier of New Brunswick.
This is his first piece for A Leafs Fan Blogs.
MAIN PHOTO: LARRY MACDOUGAL/CANADIAN PRESS
There are so very few athletes in Gretzky's stratosphere across all sports that are as humble and down to earth as him at his level. He's a class act and has a place in every Canadian hockey lover's heart.
Its sad how the Phoenix situation played out, I'm sure a lot of hockey fans would like to see him involved in the NHL once again.
Posted by: Simmer | 01/26/2011 at 03:49 PM
@ Simmer: Word has it that when the Phoenix situation closes, Wayne will get his dollars, and scuttlebutt around the league is he may be offered a management position.
Posted by: Robert | 01/26/2011 at 04:29 PM
Dear Mr. McKenna,
For mentioning that goal against the Leafs in '93 by #99, I hereby declare I am withdrawing all my money from TD Bank and keeping it under my mattress from now on.
Just kidding. (I'll keep it in the garage)
Happy 5-0, Great One!
Posted by: 80s Leafs | 01/26/2011 at 06:28 PM
As someone born and raised in New Brunswick I was thrilled to to see the guest.Like hell I was.
VM Replies: Uh oh. What is this about?
Posted by: TimB | 01/27/2011 at 07:52 AM
Thank you Mr. McKenna for your timely tribute to someone whose greatness reached beyon the ice.
Much appreciated and quite kind of you to take the time.
Yours truly,
an Ottawa native with a first-hand fondness for New Brunswick and it's people.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/28/2011 at 03:45 AM