Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a former professional ice hockey player and current head coach and part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, he is known as The Great One, and considered by many to be the greatest player of all time.

Winter Olympics

Gretzky participated in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Expectations were high of the Canadian team, but without the presence of Mario Lemieux (with whom Gretzky did well in the 1987 Canada Cup) and several other star Canadians due to injury, the team lost to Finland for the bronze medal. Many also attribute the loss of the gold medal to Canada's coach Marc Crawford's decision to use a defenceman, Ray Bourque, and not Gretzky in the shoot-out against Dominik Hasek.

Related Topics:
1998 Winter Olympics - Nagano, Japan - Mario Lemieux - 1987 Canada Cup - Marc Crawford - Ray Bourque - Dominik Hasek

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Gretzky was Executive Director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a press conference, frustrated with Canadian response and lack of support for its national team. His temper boiled over after Canada's 3-3 draw vs. the Czech Republic, calling the criticism of his outburst "American propaganda," saying, "They're loving us not doing well," referring to American hockey fans. American hockey fans online began calling Gretzky a "crybaby" for his emotional public display. Defenders said he was merely borrowing a page from former coach Glen Sather to take the pressure off his players. Canada beat the U.S. to win the gold medal 50 years to the day after the Edmonton Waterloo Mercurys won the nation's last gold medal in ice hockey. Gretzky was responsible for a Canadian loonie being placed underneath centre ice for good luck. The coin is now at the Hockey Hall of Fame, and a specially minted loonie was placed at centre ice for the finals of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Related Topics:
2002 Winter Olympics - Salt Lake City, Utah - February 18 - Glen Sather - Edmonton Waterloo Mercurys - Loonie - 2004 World Cup of Hockey

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Gretzky has also expressed interest in managing Canada's men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 Ice Hockey World Championships, but declined due to his mother's poor health. His mother is suffering from cancer. Even though he wasn't officially a member of the management staff, he was consulted regularly about decisions. Canada won the silver medal.

Related Topics:
2006 Winter Olympics - Turin, Italy - Ice Hockey World Championships - Cancer

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