Wayne Gretzky: The Great One Skates Away

Wayne Gretzky dominated hockey from his own unique angles

Mortality doesn't often present itself so obviously. Last Friday, Wayne Gretzky sat on a dais at Madison Square Garden, watching clips from his childhood and professional career, about to announce his retirement. "Sometimes you go to funerals, and sometimes you get to go to weddings," he said. "And to me, this is a party." Then he stopped himself from crying. "I should take my own advice, huh?"

At best it was a wake. "I played hockey for 35 years, since I was three years old," he said. "It's like suddenly they say, 'Give me your skates. You're done.'" After playing 20...

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