Wait, what… Wayne Gretzky played for the Blues?
It’s hard to remember, but it did happen. Despite playing just 18 regular-season games with the Blues, Wayne Gretzky will wear the Blue Note once again when St. Louis takes on the Blackhawks for the 2017 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game on Dec. 31 at Busch Stadium.
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Although many probably don’t recall Gretzky ever being a member of the Blues (we’re having a difficult time, ourselves), The Great One spent part of the 1995-96 season in St. Louis between his time in Los Angeles and New York. Gretzky had 21 points in 18 regular-season games and 16 points in 13 playoff games for an absolutely stacked Blues team before losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the second overtime of a crazy Game 7 when Steve Yzerman fired off a wicked slapshot top shelf to send Gretzky’s Blues packing.
Perhaps this game is redemption for Gretzky, who said he was done with outdoor alumni games after claiming he “stunk” in the heritage classic between Edmonton and Winnipeg earlier this season. This New Year’s Eve game provides an opportunity for Gretzky to get back to his old form and impress in front of thousands. For hockey fans, it doesn’t matter what jersey he’s wearing.
In addition to Gretzky, the Blues Alumni roster includes some monster names like Keith Tkachuk and Chris Pronger, as well as Hall of Famers like Al MacInnis, Brett Hull and Adam Oates.
Surprisingly, Martin Brodeur will defend the crease for the alumni Blues, despite playing just seven games with the team before retiring in 2015. The NHL’s all-time wins leader is now St. Louis’ assistant general manager.
Overall, in large part thanks to Gretzky’s record numbers, the Blues alumni roster combined for a whopping 16,779 regular-season points in their careers. They will be no easy task for the Blackhawks, who are set to release their alumni roster in the coming days.
At this point, the league is just looking for more ways to get Gretzky back on the ice. Maybe he’ll pull a Gordie Howe and come out of retirement to join McDavid’s line on the Oilers like he imagined.
