Yup. First memory was in 1982. I was 5 years old at the time.
Tim Spelliscy, Bruce Buchanon, and those flashy screen wipes.
Going to games and refusing to talk, eat, use the washroom, barely breathe while play was on.
Hockey was truly glorious in the 80s.
It was my opinion that Gretz could have scored a hell of a lot more in many of those lopsided games. He'd only truly run the score up on you if you started running players or otherwaise ticked him off.
Also, the Jets were a far better team than hockey historians gave credit for.
Oilers-Jets 1979 Avco cup final was great. Remember those times. I really still have a soft spot for the WHA. Nordiques, Whalers, Jets, Aeros were usually talented clubs and others like Minnesota Fighting Saints were interesting.
No boring nights like the NHL brings. Anything could happen in the WHA and often did.
Witnessed his 500 goal, an empty netter against Van, loved those days when Vancouver was our b**ch lol
HAHA the 7-0 and 13-0 games stand out vs them
I saw from 84 till his last game in 88, I wish I had a time machine so I could relive those memories again. I went to every parade. Just turned 33 yesterday so yeah am lucky to see him as an Oiler.
This is a pretty neat comment from Walter from the TSN website.
i remember him mentioning that story on the radio a couple years back on the morning show 1260.
and, i seen him on TV as a kid a lot.
lots of inner family battles during the playoffs.
always remember the day he was traded too. was up north on an uncle's farm with my brother.
I was very young at the time, only a lad of 6. I really can't remember any hockey memories before having my mom and aunt surprise me with tickets to an Oilers game. We went, I ate popcorn and had a blast. I remember telling my mom that Wayne Gretzky was my favorite player. He was my idol growing up and while I didn't continue with hockey after high school the man was a huge inspiration and pretty much the main reason why I continue to follow the Oilers to this day. In fact, I'm not sure I would have become a hockey fan or played hockey if not for 'The Great One'.
My first NHL game was in 92 when I was 4 and Gretz was playing. I don't remember much but getting real excited when I seen 99. I knew what he meant and all about him even at that age as my parents are huge hockey fans.
I then seen two games with him as a Ranger. I remember he got called for a highstick on Weight and they showed Wayne on the jumbotron and everyone started boo'ing him. He just laughed and waived.
I've probably seen him about ten times live with the Oilers.
I don't have lot of specific memories of seeing him at the rink because I was a bit young. I would have been able to appreciate him at the time though.
I was 10 in 1987, and was at game 7 against Philadelphia thanks to an English sculpture grad student that lined up and got enough tickets for my family.
First NHL game I ever attended was December 29, 1984. Steve Yzerman was a rookie and Wayne Gretzky owned hockey. Final score: Edmonton 6 Detroit 3. Gretzky had 3 goals and 3 assists.
I saw quite a few Gretz with the Oil games...unfortunately I couldn't stand him because my whole family was pro Gretz...I used to throw darts at his rookie cards that my brother had Turned out to be a n expensive endevour on my part! I mostly didn't like him cause he killed my Flyers in the playoffs too many times.
Now that I realize what a phenomenon I chose to hate, I'm kinda sorry I didn't follow my family's love of him.
I watched the Oilers play in the Gardens, that should explain how many times I saw Gretz paly as an Oiler. Damn I'm gettin' old.
Yeah I remeber that old barn where it was as cold inside as out god Rexall is the taj Mahal compared to that old former dump I remember my first game there as a kid I asked my mom if we were in the Ghetto lol
Last edited by Oilmageddon*: 01-27-2011 at 05:02 AM.
Yup. First memory was in 1982. I was 5 years old at the time.
Tim Spelliscy, Bruce Buchanon, and those flashy screen wipes.
Going to games and refusing to talk, eat, use the washroom, barely breathe while play was on.
Hockey was truly glorious in the 80s.
It was my opinion that Gretz could have scored a hell of a lot more in many of those lopsided games. He'd only truly run the score up on you if you started running players or otherwaise ticked him off.
Also, the Jets were a far better team than hockey historians gave credit for.
I remember the Oilers 1st or 2nd Cup as a young' un. That's probably my first specific memory of watching hockey on TV.
I also remember watching the Oilers/Gretz on CBC HNIC (the old school blue background with all the team logos for post game interviews, lol) and ITV in Edmonton.
I grew up in Calgary so I remember how heated the Battle of Alberta was in the 80s. Everyone in my school were big Flames fans, but one teacher was from Edmonton so she had this big wall with all this Oilers stuff on it and Oiler hockey cards and stuff, lol.
And I recall the Wayne Gretzky doll ... I always wanted one, lol. He was more than hockey player ... he was like a superhero that could go right with your Optimus Prime, He-Man, and your sister's Barbie (ick), lol.
Growing up in Alberta then, Gretzky/Oilers were everywhere, it was just a staple like Cap'n' Crunch for breakfast and cartoons after school.
yes. i was very fortunate to be in the stands for every Stanley cup run..
the funny thing is though, my favorite gretzky moments are not necessarily his records and such, it was the little things.. The one timer goals he got when taking faceoffs, the chemistry with Kuri (was almost indescribable), far, far, far to many to list..
which makes me think a little about how Kuri may not be getting his due as far as hockey history greats go
I would say exactly the same thing.
The thing about Gretzky was that he could turn a bitterly cold January game against Winnipeg into a special night.
Like you I saw all the cup runs, and with season tickets through his time in Edmonton I must say that as far as sporting experiences go I could not imagine being any luckier.
Oilers-Jets 1979 Avco cup final was great. Remember those times. I really still have a soft spot for the WHA. Nordiques, Whalers, Jets, Aeros were usually talented clubs and others like Minnesota Fighting Saints were interesting.
No boring nights like the NHL brings. Anything could happen in the WHA and often did.
The WHA was lots of fun. In many ways kind of Wild Wild West. But the league had a lot of talent as well and some very innovative approaches to the game. The Jets for example had a huge influence with the European invasion.
Yes and I was 5 or 6 years old, went to games with my dad. Ever since Gretzky got traded, my dad compares every oiler to him. "if that was gretzky, he would have lofted the puck over the pads!".
For the young fans that never got to watch the Oilers in the golden era. Take the most exciting player, most exciting team and most fun to watch team, trip it in all areas and you have the Oilers.
I watched the Oilers play in the Gardens, that should explain how many times I saw Gretz paly as an Oiler. Damn I'm gettin' old.
I'm with ya man. Gretz had such amazing hockey sense. BJ Macdonald and Brett Callighen made names for themselves along with a host of other players.
I remember a game in which the Oil were down by one with 10 seconds to go and the puck in their own end. Gretz looked up at the clock and then began to work his magic, fed Kurri for a one timer to tie it with a second or two left. I don't exactly remember which game it was but I am sure he did it a few times.
He had the ability to think of everything and see everything. No other player I have ever seen had that ability.
.
Turned out to be a n expensive endevour on my part! I mostly didn't like him cause he killed my Flyers in the playoffs too many times.
