It came as a shock when I learned Canada lost its hockey dad when Walter Gretzky died on March 4.
Every since I was a young kid, I have been a huge fan of Wayne Gretzky and that is why I am deeply saddened like many Canadians from coast to coast to coast about the recent death of Walter Gretzky, the father of Wayne Gretzky aka the Great One.
It hit really hit home as many of us in Canada had our own hockey dad’s growing up. I can recall as a youngster how my dad would tie up the laces on my hockey skates as well as my sister’s skates.
I think about how my mom and dad have always been there to cheer me and my sister on while we competed in sport. Walter Gretzky was there for his son, Wayne, whether that was a peewee hockey game or a Stanley Cup final. Wayne was and still is a remarkable ambassador for the game of hockey and so was his father.
I remember meeting Walter Gretzky after he spoke to students and staff at the University of Manitoba. After speaking, I went up to Walter to ask him his autograph. I can recall how pleasant and easy going he was. He was just a true gentleman.
It was a few years before meeting Walter Gretzky that my best friend and I had the chance to meet Wayne Gretzky. It was such a dream come true to meet the Great Gretzky.
The Selkirk Settler Times expresses its condolences to the Gretzky family.
