These days, Wayne Gretzky is campaigning to raise awareness about the dangers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but that’s not the only cause he’s concerned about.
Like almost everyone in the world of hockey, he saw the images of the tragic death of Adam Johnson, this former player of the Pittsburgh Penguins who had his throat cut during a game recently presented in the England Elite League.
“It’s unfortunate that it took such a tragedy to make people aware of the importance of neck guards,” explained the former number 99 during a video meeting on Friday. I had two boys who played hockey, and I never let them go on the ice without their neck guards. Hockey is a fast sport, there are sticks and skates, and accidents can happen. We must protect ourselves as best we can. »
According to the former glory of the Edmonton Oilers, this tragedy could lead to a collective awakening in the world of hockey, usually recalcitrant to new pieces of equipment.
“Neck guards must be compulsory very early in the ranks of minor hockey,” he added. When it’s mandatory, then it becomes part of a player’s normal equipment, and no one talks about it anymore. I saw [l’attaquant des Capitals de Washington] TJ Oshie wearing one [jeudi soir]he sets an example and I find that to be very important.
“I remember when [le gardien] Clint Malarchuk was cut in the neck, the doctors were already there, and they probably saved his life. We probably could have talked about it a little more when it happened at that moment with Malarchuk [en 1989], but here we are today, and we have to talk about it because of what has just happened… I wouldn’t be surprised if all the young people arriving in the NHL in five or six years were wearing the neck guard. »
PHOTO GEOFF BURKE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
TJ Oshie of the Washington Capitals wore a neck guard designed by his sports equipment company on Thursday.
In the meantime, Wayne Gretzky will focus on another cause close to his heart: the fight against RSV. It has also just joined forces with GSK Canada to promote the Arexvy vaccine as part of this fight against the virus.
“It’s Earvin Johnson’s campaign [l’ex-basketteur qu’on appelle aussi Magic] about this in the United States which allowed me to learn about the subject, concludes Gretzky. I had never heard of this before, and it was GSK who approached me, so that I could educate people in Canada about this as well. When I saw Earvin do it, I decided to do it too. »
Sports betting is now part of the landscape, says Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky’s name was in the news this week, particularly in Ottawa, when new Senators owner Michael Andlauer suggested it was ironic to suspend a player (Shane Pinto) while Wayne Gretzky promotes sports betting.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion on this,” Gretzky responded. I’m just one person, and there are other players too who promote it. It’s now part of the landscape; If you go to an NHL arena, you can see casino ads all over the boards, whereas that wasn’t the case in my time. It’s a different world, like it or not, and that’s where we are now. »
A new expansion, a good idea?
Wayne Gretzky came to the NHL as part of an executive expansion, and today he believes the number of teams is proof that the league is healthy. Should we add more?
“I like to see that our sport is growing,” he replied. There are teams now in Texas and Florida and California and Nevada. Cities like Houston, Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Quebec would all like to have a team, but that’s up to the commissioner and his team to decide. »