| | TORONTO -- It would be logical to assume people wouldn't make too much of Wayne Gretzky's Hockey Hall of Fame induction on Monday night. To borrow two basketball phrases, there aren't too many easier layups or slam dunks in the sporting world. His 894 goals, 1,963 assists and four Stanley Cups made sure of that.
For a guy who's been feted constantly in the months since retiring last spring, how much more excitement can another tribute, trophy -- a jacket, really -- and celebration generate?
|  | | Wayne Gretzky laughs at a fan's question Sunday as he sits in front of the Stanley Cup during a fan forum at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. |
One image contains the answer: Toronto's CN Tower, the world's tallest free-standing structure, had a sign striped down its middle. "Thanks Wayne."
That qualifies it as pretty big.
But Sunday, in place of all the front-page news and high-rise accolades Gretzky's receiving in advance of Monday's induction, two hours in his seemingly endless sendoff was set aside for something else. Something smaller, perhaps bordering on intimate. And just for the fans.
The day after Gretzky was honored at the Air Canada Centre and the day before his official induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gretzky sat down for a Q&A with some lucky "average Joes" in Bell Great Hall at the Hall of Fame in Toronto. It was a rare opportunity for the public to "hang out" with him -- or at least the closest thing possible to a casual moment with hockey's greatest star.
Anyone not able to gain access -- a select few were chosen at random from the hordes at the Hall on Sunday, while others won the privilege in a radio station contest -- watched on a series of closed-circuit televisions dispersed all over the building. Except for the equipment used to televise the in-house event, no other TV cameras were allowed in.
With the Stanley Cup nestled behind him as a backdrop, Gretzky touched on everything from his relationship with his father to his opinion on the best games he ever played.
Without any hesitation, he said Game 2 of the 1987 Canada Cup was one game he still remembers vividly. "My dad said I blew Game 1, so Game 2 was so emotional." Then he said there is always Game 7 of the '93 Conference finals when his Los Angeles Kings beat the Maple Leafs. And he couldn't resist a little needling of the Toronto fans with a "You guys remember that one, don't you?"
As Gretzky answered questions, dressed in a sweater and seated on a stool, the entire place was like the largest EF Hutton commercial ever filmed. Not a sound, other than his voice, could be heard. People were actually taking pictures of the television screen.
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SOME GREAT THOUGHTS
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State of Canadian hockey: "One of the best sports in the world is hockey. I hope the league realizes -- and I think they do -- that teams like Ottawa are just as important as the Rangers or Blackhawks."
How has retirement been? "I've been playing a lot of golf. Not getting any better though. Yes, retirement's been a lot of fun."
What about Mario Lemieux's goal in Game 3 of the 1987 Canada Cup? "Mario (Lemieux) and I had a two-on-one earlier, and he passed it back to me. I told him, 'No offense, but I'm a better passer than you, and you're a better scorer than me. Shoot the puck next time.' "
What kind of student were you? "My teachers at school got sick of me writing every book report on Gordie Howe."
Biggest highlights: First NHL game in Chicago Stadium and lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time.
Biggest disappointments: Losing to Montreal with L.A. Kings in the 1993 Cup finals and not winning the gold in Nagano 1998 Olympics.
Best athlete he played with: Grant Fuhr
Best players ever: Fuhr, Howe, Rocket Richard, Ken Dryden, Jean Béliveau, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux. Called Orr and Howe the best ever.
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"We just wanted to be here, to see him," said Sarah Silvestri, who came with a friend all the way from New Jersey to watch Saturday's Hall of Fame game and simply imbibe the aura of the weekend. Why? "We are the biggest Gretzky fans. I didn't even know hockey until he came along. But everybody knows Wayne Gretzky."
That's the whole point, though. It's as if Gretzky's ubiquitous presence should be tiring on the conscience of Canadians -- and hockey fans in general. But it isn't.
"It's never too much," said Christopher Javornik, an attorney who grew up in Montreal but went to college in the United States.
Fans from New York, Minnesota, New Jersey and just about every pocket of Canada were there. They wore Gretzky jerseys from his days in Edmonton, Los Angeles, St. Louis, New York -- even spotted were sweaters from his early years with the Soo Greyhounds. And that's not including the jerseys in the huge display cases set up for Gretzky.
Fern Lima went so far as to have a "99" and "Gretzky" emblazoned on a Maple Leafs jersey. Wishful thinking? Lamely dreaming?
"I'm a huge Leafs fan, and I never had a favorite player," said Lima, a 34-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, who swears he witnessed firsthand the historic Game 3 of the 1987 Canada Cup -- one of those games where 50,000 people claim to have been there when the arena in Hamilton seats fewer than 20,000.
"I just love the man," Lima said. "So, when he retired, I just put this on."
Seeing grown men in Gretzky game sweaters, toting around children in Gretzky shirts, wasn't the half of it. How about the couples with matching "99" jerseys watching Gretzky tribute films as if it were their wedding video. Clutching hands, looking on with love in their eyes.
All kidding aside -- but all those images were real -- it's difficult to imagine many sports stars sitting down with nearly 200 fans and answering questions. It was like President Clinton relaxing for an informal press conference in the White House. Yes, Gretzky dodged a few -- deflecting and humble humor being his best defense. But that's natural when, for example, some season-ticket holder from New York asks if he was mad the Rangers spent all this money on players after he retired.
Those questions come Monday when the media get their hour with The Great One.
Most people lucky enough to grab the microphone Sunday just wanted to thank him because every time, he said thanks back. Every time. That means the guy, kid, wide-eyed teenage girl -- whoever it was -- could forever say, "I talked to Wayne Gretzky."
Think Pete Rose would do that upon his entrance to the Hall should it ever happen? Yeah, but it would probably cost a few bucks.
Brian A. Shactman is ESPN.com's hockey editor. | |
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