In his final year of peewee hockey he scored an improbable 378 goals. By the time Wayne was a teenager he was making waves across Canada with his play. At the age of 15 he started playing for the Peterborough Pete’s of the Ontario Hockey Association, where his dominance continued. Wayne’s future status as an NHL star was furthered at the 1978 World Junior Championships in Quebec City, where Wayne played for his home country and led the entire tournament in scoring. Wayne Gretzky was eager to turn professional but barred from leaping to the NHL because of the league's age restrictions, Gretzky signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the fledgling World Hockey Association
It was obvious at a young age that Wayne was no ordinary athlete. When he was six, Wayne was already playing against 10-year-olds. And as stated in the book “On the ice with Wayne Gretzky,” Matt Christopher, (pg.7) talks about When Wayne was just 11, he scored over 300 goals in his hockey league. Gretzky turned pro at 17 and played briefly in the World Hockey Association for the Edmonton Oilers. When the Oilers moved up to the NHL the following year,
Wayne Gretzky’s accomplishments are well known; he still holds many records in many different categories and is considered to be the best player in modern hockey. In his 10 years of playing so far, Sidney Crosby seems to be on par with Gretzky. Comparing their playing styles, both athletes are very similar in terms of their game sense, vision on the ice, and individual skill. Crosby and Gretzky played hockey in different decades; they are both the dominant players of their generation, but for Crosby’s accomplishments and lasting influence to match Gretzky’s, he will have to wait for the judgment of time. In 2013, the game of hockey looks drastically different than it did in the early 1980’s.
According to Gladwell’s theory; success comes with the right circumstances and opportunities. In the book “outliers”, Gladwell writes about the Canadian hockey players who were born in the earlier part of the year will be more successful than the rest. The research and the experience show that the best hockey players were not born with their innate athletic ability. For example, here is the roster of the 2007 Czech Junior hockey team at the world championships shows that 50% of the hockey players were born in January, February, and March; the best hockey players based on the month which they were born. Kids who are born in the early part of the year will get more opportunities to work on their athletic skills.
“Miracle” Your down to the final minutes, it’s all up to you, if they score you tie then you go into overtime. That’s how Jimmy Craig felt in the final period of the XIII Winter Olympics hockey game. U.S. was versing Soviets, the best hockey team in the world. This game was what inspired the movie “Miracle”. “Miracle” is an moving movie that teaches a lot of really great life lessons because it teaches determination, hard work, and loyalty.
Underage Drinking Living the dream was only the tip of the ice-berg which was my life. Captain of the Varsity softball team and a proud honor roll student, I never thought that life would ever change; if so, not for the worst. I had no idea that a small decision could turn my world upside down. I have replayed the decision in my head millions of times, each time assembling a better choice. It happened in 2007 summer time; I was home alone.
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is, a great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” “The Great One”, known as Wayne Douglas Gretzky, was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario on January 26, 1961. Gretzky is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL), all by setting and breaking numerous records. Wayne Gretzky’s status as the greatest hockey player ever as well as one of the most giving athletes in the world has made him a great Canadian. Gretzky’s numerous feats include forty regular-season records, fifteen playoff records, and six All-Star records (Gretzky NHL Records). He’s also a competitor and leader for Canada internationally by winning multiple medals in the World Championship, Canada Cup, and World Cup.
Still, Kwan has never allowed her shortfalls to define her career and despite never having won Olympic gold, she is widely considered to be one of the best and most decorated figure skaters of all-time. Michelle Kwan was born on July 7, 1980 in Torrance, California. She is the third child of Danny Kwan and Estella Kwan, Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong. Her desire for skating developed as she followed her two siblings to the rink. She was inspired to start skating by her brother, Ron, who played hockey.
Gretzky commonly said, “You’re guaranteed to miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take” ("Wayne Gretzky Foundation"). This shows Gretzky’s positive outlook on life because it means that you can’t be afraid to reach your goals, because you will never achieve them unless you try. Although Wayne Gretzky was a great player on the ice, his actions of kindness and humbleness are what he is most remembered and honored by. Wayne Gretzky’s contributions are shaped by his father’s motivating attitude, his family, friends, and even the media. Therefore, Gretzky was able to have an outstanding hockey career and be a role model off the ice, leading to the creation of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the active role he plays in charity.
Take U.S. figure skater Evan Lysacek. The 2010 gold medal winner managed to train for the Olympics and graduate from Neuqua Valley High School in Illinois, but he wasn’t exactly your average student. A 10-year-old profile of Lysacek from the Daily Herald noted that the then 14-year-old would attend regular classes in the morning, but leave school midday so that he could be at the skating rink by about 1:30 p.m. After practice he headed to more workouts, then back home for dinner and homework. Lysacek was quoted as saying then that school was “the only time in my life I have to be normal.” For an elite skater, Lysacek’s schedule was not considered normal. Many exceptional young athletes train and school at special facilities or at home, and many do not live with their parents after a certain point so that they can get specialized training.