Hockey fans across North America, especially north of the border in Canada, are in mourning today as one of that country’s highest-profile hockey figures passed away Thursday night.
According to TSN in Canada, Walter Gretzky, the father of legendary superstar player Wayne Gretzky, passed away last night at the age of 82. The death was announced by Wayne Gretzky, known simply as “The Great One” for his record-breaking career that spanned over two decades in both the World Hockey Association then the National Hockey League. In that statement, reported the sports network, Wayne Gretzky indicated his father had been battling a number of health conditions in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease.
The Maple Leafs join the hockey community in mourning the loss of Canada's hockey dad, Walter Gretzky.
A warm and gracious fixture at Maple Leafs home games for years, Walter made everyone he met feel special. Our condolences to the Gretzky family & Walter's innumerable friends. pic.twitter.com/fytTX7vGb9
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 5, 2021
This tweet, from the Toronto Maple Leafs National Hockey League team, contains a photo of Walter Gretzky. Walter Gretzky, the father of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, passed away last night. (Toronto Maple Leafs Twitter, @MapleLeafs)
In addition to being known as Wayne Gretzky’s father, Walter Gretzky gained notoriety north of the border following a stroke 30 years ago, the recovery from which was chronicled in an autobiography and a made-for-TV movie.
Wayne Gretzky remains involved in hockey, as an NHL team executive.
