Walter Gretzky
Walter Gretzky, father of National Hockey League legend Wayne Gretzky, has passed away at the age of 82, according to a statement the family released this evening on social media.
The hockey world was filled with sadness tonight as Wayne Gretzky announced the death of his beloved father on social media, revealing that Walter Gretzky had "courageously battled Parkinson's and other health problems over the past few years, but never let them down.
"For me, it was the reason I fell in love with hockey," Gretzky wrote. "He inspired me to be the best not only in hockey but in life. We will miss him a lot, but I know he is back with our mother and this brings me and my family peace. He was truly the greatest and proudest Canadian we know.
For many of us, Walter Gretzky was an icon in his own right and the father of Canadian hockey, and his stories of building a backyard skating rink for his children are now firmly ingrained in the hockey folklore. Scrolling through Twitter, it's clear how deep Gretzky's influence in the hockey community at large is, and he's going to miss him a lot.
Relax, Mr. Gritsky. Thank you for everything.
