Gretzky's tears : hockey, America, and the day everything changed

Renowned sportswriter Stephen Brunt reveals how the Great One, who was bought and sold more than once, decided that the comfortable Canadian city where hockey ruled couldnt compete with the slushy ice of a California franchise.Bobby Orrs career ended prematurely, with tears. Wayne Gretzkys tears, unlike Orrs, announced not an ending but another beginning. Gretzkys Edmonton Oilers had four Stanley Cup victories, but Gretzky may then have had other goals in mind.Beginning with his dad, Walter, and continuing with Nelson Skalbania, Peter Pocklington, Bruce McNall, Jerry Buss and with the CBCs Peter Gzowski as chronicler for the eager masses the enormity of Gretzkys talent attracted all sorts of people who were after a variety of vicarious thrills.