An athlete inherently dreads the inevitable career phase of retirement and the legendary Wayne Gretzky was no different. He once revealed that he kept his decision of retiring from Ice hockey from his father, Walter Gretzky till the last moment. However, the former player was more low-key about his decision and didn’t inform his team as well. 

Gretzky’s awareness of his game led him to take the decision of retiring from his beloved sport. Throwing light on the fact that it was no less than a heartbreak for the athlete, it is safe to say that he had given all his life to the game of hockey. Given his historic career, why did he retire so soon? Let’s find out. 

Wayne Gretzky’s retirement from the NHL.

In Wayne Gretzky’s autobiographical book The Great One, he revealed the complete scenario that led to his retirement. At the age of 39, he took notice of his dip in performance plus the number of young players joining the team. Although he kept the decision from his primary coach and father Walter Gretzky, he eventually informed Gretzky Sr. just a few days preceding retirement. “I knew it would devastate him because it sort of meant he was retiring too,” Gretzky admitted. 

While being modest about his tough call, the Canadian player spilled it only to his wife, Janet, and mother, Phyllis. Driven by his pride, the star athlete felt it was better to retire from the sport a year earlier than a year later. Nonetheless, after he’d made up his mind on that matter, he didn’t disclose it to the team. It was primarily because he didn’t want to sidetrack the prime motive of winning the playoffs.

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Additionally, he inferred that the decision should solely rely on himself. And later on, he wouldn’t alter his mind on it. He said, “I didn’t want everyone trying to talk me out of it. I never wavered, though my wife put up a good fight until the 11th hour.”

Wayne Gretzky’s wife was not content with his decision 

After analyzing a thread of low performances, Gretzky made up his mind and confessed it to his wife, Janet Jones. “This is the end… I never, ever dreamed I could play this bad”, he said. Absolutely not in favor, she took it as her husband’s sense of humor. 

The 6-ft athlete eventually spilled the beans to his former team member and coach Mark Messier. He justified it as “I hate mediocrity.” Although Gretzky played on till 1999, he had been inspecting his retirement since the 1988 season. 

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A grand 20-year hockey career—as overwhelming as it may sound, Gretzky was and still is the topmost scorer in the history of hockey. The NHL took his jersey number, 99 off the charts as a token of honor. His career was The Great One. Let us know what you thought of the legend’s retirement.