Wayne Gretzky expressed admiration for Alex Ovechkin as he approaches breaking his all-time goals record in the NHL. Gretzky believes that all records must eventually be broken, and he hopes to congratulate Ovechkin when he achieves this milestone. Gretzky also discussed the increasing value of the NHL as a business, with each team now worth nearly $2 billion.
Gretzky reminisced about breaking Gordie Howe’s scoring record and how he initially felt embarrassed to surpass his idol. He emphasized that he never played for records but rather for the love of the game and the desire to always perform at his best. Gretzky credited the team owners, players, and Gary Bettman for improving and expanding the sport, making it stronger and more popular than ever.
Gretzky highlighted the importance of youth development in growing the game, citing his own experience of starting out on a backyard rink built by his father. He has partnered with YardRink, a company that allows families to build their own backyard rinks, to provide more opportunities for children to play hockey. Gretzky believes that giving kids access to the sport is crucial for the future of hockey and for continuing its growth and success.
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