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No Gretzky at the Winter Classic
By Kyle Scott
Published:
I kind of figured this would happen. There was a short list of players that many of us wanted to see, for varying reasons: Eric Lindros (he's in), Mikael Renberg (TV thing), Ron Hextall (back), Wayne Gretzky (?).
ESPN via NY Rangers Blog via Puck Daddy:
"No, I'll be with my family for the holidays,'' Gretzky said. "Plus, they don't need to see a 50-year-old slow guy out there!''
Boooooo. Once, when he was playing with the Rangers, father CB and I scored third or fifth row tickets (I forget) to a Flyers game. Before a faceoff, with the Great One just feet away, I stood up and yelled: Hey Gretzky… you suck! I was like 14 and had yet to learn proper heckling etiquette (you don't tell the best ever that he sucks). Anyway, I won't have a chance to tell Wayne I'm sorry… from 384 feet away on a freezing cold New Year's Eve at age 28. A sad.
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.