Wayne Gretzky is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. He played with and against some of the best players in NHL history. In an AMA session with Bleacher Report, Wayne Gretzky was asked to put together a powerplay unit consisting of players he's played with during his career. His response was quite impressive.
Gretzky's powerplay unit would consist of five Hall of Famers, all of whom were dominant players during their careers. Mark Messier is known for his leadership and scoring ability. Mario Lemieux was a physical presence on the ice, with exceptional size and skill. Mike Bossy was a natural goal scorer with a deadly accurate shot. Paul Coffey was an offensive powerhouse with remarkable speed and a strong ability to move the puck. Larry Robinson is a shutdown defenseman who could also contribute offensively.
Together, these five players would form an almost unbeatable powerplay unit.
"The obvious ones for me would be Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Paul Coffey and Larry Robinson," Gretzky said. "You can probably name another 5 because guys like Luc Robitaille, guys like Jari Kurri, they’re hall of farmers, how could you not include them. I played with all those guys in the NHL or Team Canada. Our powerplay would be pretty solid with those 5 guys on it."
Wayne Gretzky informed his wife Janet Jones of his early retirement plans
Wayne Gretzky's decision to retire early from ice hockey was not an easy one, but it was a decision he ultimately had to make. During the 1988-89 season, Gretzky noticed a significant dip in his performance, which led him to contemplate retirement. After countless hours of analysis and consideration, Gretzky ultimately decided to retire from the game, much to the shock and disbelief of his wife Janet Jones.
Jones, like many others, had grown accustomed to seeing Wayne Gretzky on the ice and could not imagine him not playing hockey. When Gretzky shared his retirement plans with her, she was shocked. She could not believe that her husband, who had been such a dominant player for so long, was considering leaving the sport. However, Gretzky was serious about his decision and was not willing to accept mediocrity.
Gretzky's decision to retire early allowed him to move on to new opportunities and spend more time with his family. Although his retirement was a shock to the hockey world, Gretzky's legacy as one of the greatest hockey players of all time remains secure.
Wayne Gretzky's early retirement was a reminder that even the greatest athletes have limits. Despite his incredible success on the ice, Gretzky recognized that he could not continue to play at a high level forever. His decision to retire early was a courageous one, and it ultimately allowed him to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with his family.
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