It’s written in the book of Gretzky
In a waiting room recently, I picked up a paperback entitled Wayne Gretzky, An which I began reading. It was published in 1990 so it only dealt with his youth and early NHL career.
My reading was interrupted by my appointment but, after the visit was ended, I took the book.
I can’t tell you where I got it because I don’t want them to know I stole it. So, hush!
I have always been a huge Gretzky fan; not only as a hockey player, but as a terrific role model.
My son’s birthday is Dec. 31. For several years our family celebrated New Year’s Eve at the Oilers/Flyers game in Edmonton. On Cameron’s 11th birthday—which would have been 1987— I managed to sneak him and me into the dressing room to meet Wayne Gretzky.
Cameron was enthralled. Leaning against the wall as we walked in from the ramp were a half dozen of Wayne’s sticks. Cameron wrapped his hands around one of them. Though somebody took it away from him, all the way home to Red Deer, he chirped, “I held Gretzky’s stick!”
Glen Anderson came up to us and asked if he could take Cameron to meet some of the guys. He saved Wayne for last. Cam was so tongue-tied I’m not sure he even correctly answered Wayne’s question of: “What’s your name?”
When Gretzky got up and went to the showers, Cameron followed him and waited till he came out. Cam then stood behind him and watched him blowdry his hair (Hey, it was the 80s!).
I asked Wayne if I could take Cameron’s picture with him. So, Wayne and Cameron are standing side-by-side. I take the picture, not realizing the flash is aimed at the ceiling. We get it developed. It shows my son and, beside him, a big, black blob. You couldn’t even tell it was a person.
But Cam takes it to school. “That’s me and Wayne Gretzky,” he proudly tells everyone who will listen, but nobody believes him.
I’m not sure he’s over that yet, but I am sure we had a father-son moment we will never forget.
Fred Trainor is a retired broadcaster, living in Okanagan Falls. He can be reached at: fredtrainor@shaw.ca