Part 2/9:
By the time he hit his preteen years, Gretzky was already playing in sold-out arenas—a feat that seemed unbelievable at the time, especially in an era devoid of internet and mobile connectivity. In a world where news traveled slowly, local stars could be a mere three hours away from each other, yet their achievements resonated across communities.
Gretzky attributes much of his modesty and work ethic to his father, who instilled in him a pressing reminder: “no matter how good you think you are, there’s somebody out there better than you.” Instead of pressuring him to pursue professional aspirations, his father emphasized the importance of education, urging him to attend classes while juggling his junior hockey commitments.