Wayne Gretzky was nearly a Detroit Red Wing, until this person convinced him to go somewhere else

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S. Harper
August 10, 2022 (10:23)

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Wayne Gretzky is regarded as one of the greatest hockey player of all-time. Affectionately known as the Great One, he is one of the main reasons we saw hockey growth in markets such as California, Las Vegas and Arizona. The interest generated in these markets was mostly created by the Gretzky trade to the Los Angeles Kings.

However, that trade almost didn't happen. Wayne Gretzky shared with Anson Carter on the NHL Network that he actually wanted to be a member of the Detroit Red Wings. That was until his father, Walter, offer him some advice that ultimately changed his mind.

Carter: The City of LA. One of the biggest stories when you got traded Gretz, when Canada got shut own and everyone thought Janet was behind it, she's the reason you got traded, but you told me a different story.

Gretzky: Yeah I really wanted to go to Detroit, because I grew up a Red Wings' Howe fan. The greatest player that ever lived and I wanted to go there, and my Dad said, "are you crazy? There's only one Gordie Howe you don't need to go there, why don't you do something unique? Something different? Go to LA and be part of that", and I said "okay, yeah you're right," and so that's why I really got traded to LA.

Carter: That's Amazing.