Wayne Gretzky is the greatest player in hockey history, and 894 goals and 2 857 points are remarkable numbers. And it’s even more impressive when you think about how Wayne Gretzky was outside the hockey rink.
Today, unlike earlier days of hockey, players are well-prepared and super well-trained. The players are always in the gym when not practicing and take everything seriously.
But in earlier days, even when Wayne Gretzky played, that wasn’t the case. The Great One didn’t love lifting weights in the gym, and his pre-game routine really says it all. He always drank Diet Coke before games. Not only one, either. He also drank Gatorade and a meal that consisted of junk food, including hot dogs with onions, mustard, and pie.
Players today would just never do that.
Just imagining an NHL player sipping on some soda during a game is laughable, but Gretzky didn’t care about those things.
Gretzky loved fast food, and when he joined the opening night for the NHL on TNT crew on Wednesday, the guys started talking about Connor Bedard’s strict diet.
This summer’s first overall is the world’s most hyped-up hockey player, and he’s has been a sensational talent for years. And during those years, Bedard not even once tried fast food, at least according to Paul Bissonnette. And when Gretzky learned about it, all he could do was laugh.
”So many people are making jokes about the fact that Connor Bedard never had fast food before, and I laughed because he’s trying to be the greatest hockey player to ever live. But you are, Wayne, and you used to crush McDonald’s after every practice,” TNT’s Paul Bissonnette said, turning to Wayne Gretzky.
”Pretty much,” Gretzky said, laughing.
”I ate hot dogs. Pre-game I had steak and potato, every day at 12.30. I never changed my game day meal. But then I got to the rink and I was so hungry by 4.30, I had a hot dog or a piece of pizza. Sometimes after the first period I got a hot dog.”
That’s why he’s the GOAT!
