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Thrill Your Fans
I grew up on Wayne Gretzky – thrilled by the ridiculous skills on display every night. To watch him, it was almost impossible to believe all that speed and agility came out of one kid – who had not yet turned 20 at the time.
It was like any great innovation – a rare combination of well-oiled, traditional elements that, when combined, was pure alchemy. From Wayne, I learned that you must absolutely shred behind the scenes so you can step on stage and hit them so fast, they can barely understand what’s hit them. It’s more than being a showman, it is about rehearsal, drills, fundamentals, style, class, and of course, as Wayne famously said, “missing 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
A Great Coach
As I grew, I learned more about Wayne’s dad, Walter. He was prominent during and after Wayne’s career…and of course, was instrumental in the kind of athlete, competitor, and man Wayne would become.
I love reading about role models; especially fathers and coaches, as I strive to become as good as I can at both roles. Here are some of the things I’ve learned and admire about Walter Gretzky, Perhaps we can all adopt some of these qualities into our own lives:
- If you’re going to do something, do it well. Show up early, leave late, and keep practicing, working and honing your craft long after everyone else has gone home and gone to sleep
- Stay humble, and level-headed. Wayne was never one for bouts of anger, or emotion. My father didn’t much like Wayne because he wouldn’t fight, but I always thought that demonstrated great emotional self-control. I expect that came from his parents. Walter himself was known for his humility, ongoing charitable work, and dedication to youth hockey long after his boys had finished playing the game.
- Remain a learner and expand your horizons. Someday agile, just like a hockey career, will be over. What will you do then? Wayne was smart – dabbling in team coaching, management, ownership, products – and even a wine and spirits business
- The world is watching – every detail matters. Walter famously taught Wayne that you can never rest on your laurels. Every game, every practice, every shot matters. Play every game like it’s the playoffs.
- What you do for your family and your team speaks. The countless hours of watching, supporting, growing, and coaching is worth it even if you don’t make the big leagues. It’s what a coach – and, of course, a father – does.
We’re going to miss you Walter. Thank you for building heroes. I get it.
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