Wayne Gretzky Net Worth

Wayne Gretzky: The Greatest Hockey Player of All Time

Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian-born retired professional hockey player, is a name that will forever be synonymous with greatness in the world of ice hockey. With a net worth of $250 million, Gretzky’s accomplishments on and off the ice have cemented his legacy as the greatest player to have ever graced the sport.

What is Wayne Gretzky known for?

Wayne Gretzky is known for his incredible skills and dominance in the world of ice hockey. From a young age, Gretzky displayed a natural talent for the sport, capturing the attention of fans and professionals alike. His exceptional abilities on the ice set him apart from his peers and led to a career filled with incredible achievements.

Gretzky’s career started at a young age, playing against older children in Canada. His talent was so remarkable that he had to move away from his hometown to continue honing his skills. In 1978, he joined the World Hockey Association and later transitioned to the National Hockey League (NHL), playing for various teams such as the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers.

Throughout his 21-year career as a player, Gretzky broke numerous records and received numerous awards. He scored the most points in NHL history, with over 200 points in a season on four different occasions. He won nine Hart Trophies for Most Valuable Player, 10 Art Ross Trophies for Most Points, and two Conn Smythe Trophies for Playoff MVP, among many other honors.

Early life and education

Wayne Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Coming from a hockey-loving family, Gretzky started playing the sport at a very young age. His father, Walter, helped him and his siblings develop their skills by teaching them how to play on a homemade rink in their backyard.

Gretzky’s talent quickly became apparent as he excelled on the ice, even playing against older children when he was just six years old. However, his success also attracted negative attention, with other players and jealous parents often booing him during games. In order to further his career and escape the negative atmosphere of his hometown, Gretzky’s parents supported him in moving to Toronto to play hockey there.

Challenging traditional rules that prevented players from different areas from playing together, Gretzky was allowed to join the Toronto Nationals in the Junior B Hockey League. He quickly made a name for himself and was named Rookie of the Year for the 1975-76 season in the Metro Junior B Hockey League.

Career

Signing a $1.75 million USD seven-year contract with the Indianapolis Racers, a World Hockey Association team, at the age of 17, Gretzky began his professional hockey career. He was later traded to the Edmonton Oilers when his team joined the NHL after the WHA dissolved. With the Oilers, Gretzky played a key role in leading the team to four Stanley Cup victories.

Gretzky’s star continued to rise as he achieved numerous records and became the first player in NHL history to score over 200 points in a season. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Kings and then to the St. Louis Blues before signing with the New York Rangers as a free agent. In 1999, after an illustrious career, Gretzky retired from professional hockey while playing for the Rangers.

Following his retirement, Gretzky remained involved in the world of hockey. He served as the executive director of the Canadian National Hockey Team during their 2002 Olympic showing, where they won the Gold medal. He also took on the role of head coach for the Phoenix Coyotes from 2005 to 2009.

Achievements

Wayne Gretzky’s list of achievements is nothing short of extraordinary. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades and broke countless records. Some of his greatest accomplishments include:

• Scoring the most points in NHL history
• Being the only NHL player to score over 200 points in a season (achieved four times)
• Winning nine Hart Trophies for Most Valuable Player
• Winning ten Art Ross Trophies for Most Points
• Receiving two Conn Smythe Trophies for Playoff MVP
• Being inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame

Gretzky’s impact on the sport extends far beyond his playing days. He has inspired generations of hockey players and is considered a legend in the world of ice hockey.

Net Worth Details

In addition to his incredible achievements on the ice, Wayne Gretzky has proven to be a savvy entrepreneur, which has contributed to his impressive net worth of $250 million.

During his NHL career, Gretzky earned a total of $46 million in salary. He also amassed an additional $50 million through endorsement deals with major brands such as Coca-Cola, Domino’s Pizza, Sharp Corporation, and Upper Deck Company.

Furthermore, Gretzky ventured into various business endeavors after retiring from professional hockey. He invested in sports team ownership, including the Edmonton Oilers, and partnered with Andrew Peller Ltd. to open Wayne Gretzky Estates, a winery and distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

His wise investments also include real estate ventures, such as his iconic mansion located within the gated Sherwood Country Club community in Thousand Oaks, California. The impressive property boasts six bedrooms, seven and a half bathrooms, a home theater, and a sunken tennis court. After briefly selling the house to former baseball player Lenny Dykstra, Gretzky re-acquired the property in 2018. In October 202, he listed the coveted property for sale for $22.9 million.

Wayne Gretzky’s net worth is a testament to his success both on and off the ice. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic investments have allowed him to build an empire that continues to thrive.