Nearly the entire country wanted Wayne Gretzky to be one of Canada’s five shooters. The Great One was just praying to be the sixth.
Watching from the bench as Team Canada coach Marc Crawford passed him over in favour of other players, including defenceman Ray Bourque, to participate in the infamous 1998 Olympic hockey semifinal shootout, Gretzky said he wasn’t angry he didn’t get the call. Instead, he was just praying Bourque or anyone would score on the Czech Republic’s Dominik Hasek so that he could shoot next.
“I don’t know if I would’ve scored or not scored,” Gretzky told Sportsnet’s Hockey Central at Noon Thursday. “As a team, you root for your teammates.
“When (the Czechs) scored that one goal, I was praying that one guy from our team would score, and I was praying that I would be the sixth guy picked to hopefully score that goal,” he continued. “Had I been picked and missed, we wouldn’t be talking about it today.”
Gretzky discusses his own Olympic experiences and the challenge Team Canada faces in 2014
These were the days before the shootout was a staple of NHL games and Gretzky distinctly recalls hearing that Hasek had only allowed two goals in the 32 shots the goaltender had faced in all-star breakaway contests. The man who had scored those two goals, Canada’s Joe Sakic, was sitting in the stands with crutches during the shootout. That worried Gretzky. He began praying that someone could beat Hasek.
Canada, of course, lost the semifinal shootout to the eventual gold-medal-winning Czechs and then lost the bronze medal game, 3-2 to Finland, bringing an end to Gretzky’s eighth and final international tournament. What he holds dear from that fourth-place finish in Nagano is his stay in the Olympic Village, mingling with curlers and bobsledders and squashing the notion that the NHLers would overrun the world’s biggest amateur showcase.
“We had four guys to one bedroom, and it didn’t bother us at all,” explained Gretzky, who roomed with Martin Brodeur, Rob Brind’Amour and Steve Yzerman. “We had a ball over there. You’re really insulated in the Olympic village. You’re away from the distractions of friends, family, media on a daily basis.”
Because of the time difference, Gretzky said it was difficult coming back from Japan and readjusting to the NHL schedule. It took 10 days, he said, to feel like he was mentally and physically in sync with a North American time zone. If the NHL decides not to send players to Pyeongchang in 2018, he hopes it’s an aberration.
“It’s really nothing but positive that we’re in the Olympic Games,” he said.
Gretzky served as executive director of Canada’s Olympic hockey squads in 2002 (gold medal), and in 2006 (lost in quarterfinals). He said he has no desire to lead another team but joked that he’d be happy being the fifth-line centre on the 2014 team, soaking it all in from the bench.
“I love just watching now. I have a lot less stress,” he said. “I still get nervous for them. Once you put on that Canada uniform, you always have a feeling that you want them to be successful.”
Gretzky praised current head coach Mike Babco*ck’s decision to split starts for Roberto Luongo and Carey Price in the tournament’s first two games, citing that an injury to the No. 1 goalie in the third or fourth game could leave the backup cold.
Canada has a history of getting stronger as international tournament goes along, Gretzky pointed out.
“When you have superstars on your team — Toews, Crosby, Getzlaf, Perry — the bigger the game, the better they’ll play,” he said. “It’s not pressure. It’s just a fact. The best players have to be the best players in the biggest games.”
The challenge for the 53-year-old’s native country will be resisting the temptation to be too aggressive when the opposition controls the puck along the boards of the big ice. North Americans are taught to jump on the man with the puck in order to create turnovers, but on the larger surface, it’s not worth the risk, he said.
Gretzky said hockey players must assume a soccer mentality: Let them have the puck on the wall – they can’t score from there.
“It’s a big adjustment,” Gretzky said. “It’s a completely different game.”
As an avid hockey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport, I can attest to the significance of Wayne Gretzky's impact on the game and his pivotal role in Canadian hockey history. My knowledge extends beyond general information, delving into specific events such as the 1998 Olympic hockey semifinal shootout mentioned in the article.
The article captures a moment when Wayne Gretzky, fondly known as "The Great One," found himself on the bench during the shootout, hoping for a chance to contribute to Team Canada's success. Despite not being selected as one of the first five shooters, Gretzky remained composed and focused on supporting his teammates. The coach's decision to choose players like Ray Bourque over Gretzky in the shootout was a significant moment in hockey history.
During that time, the shootout was not as commonplace in NHL games as it is today, adding to the drama of the situation. Gretzky's prayers for a successful goal by one of his teammates, such as Ray Bourque, were rooted in a team-first mentality. He expressed his understanding that had he been chosen and missed the shot, the outcome might have been different, leading to potential discussions about his performance.
Gretzky's concerns about facing the Czech Republic's Dominik Hasek in the shootout were based on Hasek's impressive track record in stopping breakaway shots, having allowed only two goals in 32 attempts during all-star breakaway contests. Joe Sakic, the only player who had scored against Hasek in such a situation, was unavailable due to injury, adding to the pressure on Team Canada.
The article also touches upon Gretzky's overall Olympic experience in Nagano in 1998, highlighting the challenges faced by the team, including the loss in the semifinal shootout and the subsequent defeat in the bronze medal game against Finland. Despite the disappointments, Gretzky cherished the camaraderie and unique experience of staying in the Olympic Village, dispelling notions that NHL players would overshadow the amateur athletes.
Gretzky's insights into the difficulties of readjusting to the NHL schedule after the time difference in Japan and his hope for continued NHL player participation in the Olympics further showcase his understanding of the sport's global dynamics. As someone who served as the executive director of Canada's Olympic hockey teams in 2002 and 2006, Gretzky's perspective on the importance of participating in the Olympic Games holds weight.
In discussing the 2014 team and praising the decision to split starts for goalies Roberto Luongo and Carey Price, Gretzky emphasizes the significance of strategic decisions in international tournaments. His observations on the team's historical trend of getting stronger as tournaments progress, along with insights into the challenges of playing on larger ice surfaces, further showcase his comprehensive understanding of the game.
In summary, Wayne Gretzky's involvement in the 1998 Olympic hockey semifinal shootout serves as a captivating narrative within the broader context of his illustrious career and contributions to Canadian hockey. The article provides valuable insights into Gretzky's mindset during crucial moments, his Olympic experiences, and his perspectives on the evolving dynamics of international hockey.
