When Wayne Gretzky informed his wife Janet Jones of his early retirement plans 

Wayne Gretzky is known as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time. His career spanned nearly two decades, during which he played for four different teams.

However, during his time with the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, Gretzky noticed a significant dip in his performance which led him to contemplate retirement and share his plans with his wife, Janet Jones.

For Gretzky, the decision to retire was not an easy one. He had been a dominant force in the NHL for years, leading his teams to four Stanley Cup victories and amassing numerous individual awards and accolades.

However, the dip in his performance during the 1988-89 season was a cause for concern. He spent countless hours analyzing his game and considering his options before ultimately deciding to retire.

When Wayne Gretzky shared his retirement plans with his wife, she was shocked and couldn't believe that her husband, who had been such a dominant player for so long, was considering leaving the sport.

Jones, like many others, had grown accustomed to seeing Gretzky on the ice and could not imagine him not playing hockey.

However, Wayne Gretzky was serious about his decision to retire. He was not willing to accept mediocrity and felt that his performance had fallen below his own high standards. Despite the shock and disbelief of those around him, he was determined to walk away from the game.

Gretzky's retirement was a shock to the hockey world, but it ultimately allowed him to move on to new opportunities and spend more time with his family. His legacy as one of the greatest hockey players of all time remains secure.

Wayne Gretzky met his future wife Janet Jones at a Lakers game

Wayne Gretzky, the greatest ice hockey player of all time, and Janet Jones, a Hollywood actress, first met on the set of Merv Griffin's TV program Dance Fever. However, their love story didn't officially start until a few years later at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 1987.

Despite their undeniable chemistry, they were both in relationships with other people at the time. It wasn't until they crossed paths again at the Lakers game that they were both single and able to start dating.

From that moment on, they were inseparable, and Gretzky proposed to Jones over the phone. They got married in a lavish ceremony in Edmonton.