MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1999

Great One remembered

It's not everyday you get to witness the end of an era.

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Jay Seidel

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Last Sunday, the Wayne Gretzky era in the world of hockey ended. Despite the desire of thousands of hockey fans and a request by the Prime Minister of Canada, he called it quits.

Even I became turned onto hockey when the Great One came to Los Angeles in 1988.

Like Michael Jordan, Gretzky was an ambassador of his sport. He helped carve an identity for a sport that was foreign to most.

At the start, nobody knew what kind of impact Gretzky would have on the world when the Edmonton Oilers traded to the L.A. Kings. Without Gretzky, franchise's like the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, the Florida Panthers, and the Nashville Predators would not exist. Also, teams like the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche may not have moved south to play in the Southwest.

Gretzky's impact can be seen off the ice. The amount of youth hockey programs today have skyrocketed. Children in parts of the U.S. that have never seen ice, except for in their drinks, are playing hockey. An entire minor league hockey league was created that spans through New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana - all thanks to the Great One.

Gretzky did not plan on becoming a sports icon when he began his NHL career 20 years ago.

He just wanted to play hockey. Well, four teams and 2,857 points later, Gretzky has become one of the greatest athletes in the world.

Over the course of embarrassing 155 NHL goalies, Gretzky has broken every hockey record imaginable. He will be quickly inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame within the year.

Canada will release a commemorative stamp in his honor, and will probably declare a Gretzky day.

Wayne Gretzky's retirement although saddening is welcomed. Unlike Joe Montana, he is leaving on his terms and while still somewhat at the top of his game.

I will forever be grateful that Gretzky brought me into the sport of hockey.

Jay Seidel is a print journalism major and works for Inside Hockey magazine.