Wayne Gretzky, widely considered one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time, had a storied career in the NHL. He played for various teams throughout his career, but it was his time with the Edmonton Oilers that made him a legend. However, his controversial trade to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988 left many fans in Edmonton feeling betrayed. Gretzky himself revealed that playing in Edmonton was the toughest experience of his career.
Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers from 1978-1988 and led them to four Stanley Cup championships. He was beloved by fans in Edmonton and had become a symbol of the city's success. However, in 1988, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that shocked the hockey world. The trade was controversial, and many fans felt that Gretzky had abandoned the city that had made him a star.
In an interview, Gretzky revealed that playing in Edmonton was incredibly difficult. The pressure and expectations were high, and he felt that he was constantly under a microscope. He said that he "hated" playing in Edmonton because he always felt he was being watched and judged.
Despite his negative feelings towards Edmonton, Gretzky remained a beloved figure in the city. He continued to visit and support the Oilers, and fans in Edmonton still held him in high regard. In fact, in 1989, he returned to Edmonton to play in the NHL All-Star Game, and the reception he received was overwhelmingly positive.
Wayne Gretzky's trade to the Los Angeles Kings was a controversial moment in NHL history, and it left many fans in Edmonton feeling betrayed. While Gretzky's negative comments about playing in Edmonton may have hurt some fans, he remains a beloved figure in the city and is recognized as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
Wayne Gretzky scored five goals for the first time
One of the most remarkable performances of Wayne Gretzky's career came on November 19th, 1981, when he scored five goals in a single game for the first time in his NHL career. It was a masterclass display of skill and precision that saw him help the Edmonton Oilers to a resounding 9-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues at Northlands Coliseum.
Wayne Gretzky's first goal of the game came at 4:44 of the second period when he broke a 2-2 tie against Mike Liut. He then went on to score four more goals in the third period in less than eight minutes, completely blowing the game open and leaving the Blues defense helpless against his incredible skill.