Wayne Gretzky’s passing, anticipation, and scoring made him the central player of the Edmonton Oilers’ championship years. His career later carried him to Los Angeles, St. Louis, and New York.
The selected books include an autobiography, his history of hockey, a cooperating journalist’s account, and a biography for children. The two books beginning with 99 have different authors and purposes.
| Book | Year | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Gretzky | 1991 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Wayne Gretzky's Ghost | 2011 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| 99 Gretzky - His Game, His Story | 2013 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Who Is Wayne Gretzky? | 2015 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| 99 | 2016 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
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Who is Wayne Gretzky?
Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, in 1961. After junior hockey and a season in the World Hockey Association, he entered the NHL with Edmonton in 1979. His ability to anticipate play and create scoring opportunities quickly distinguished him.
The Oilers won four Stanley Cups with Gretzky between 1984 and 1988. He collected nine Hart Trophies as the league’s Most Valuable Player and ten scoring titles. His 215-point season in 1985–86 remains a landmark of individual production. The 1988 trade to Los Angeles expanded attention to hockey in California.
Gretzky later played for St. Louis and the New York Rangers before retiring in 1999. His NHL totals were 894 goals and 1,963 assists for 2,857 points. The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its waiting period for his induction. After playing, he remained involved in hockey through executive, coaching, and broadcasting roles.
Does Wayne Gretzky have an autobiography?
Gretzky, written with Rick Reilly, is the autobiography. The selected 99: Stories of the Game, written with Kirstie McLellan Day, combines his experiences with a wider history of hockey. It is not simply a later edition of the same life story.
Gretzky: An Autobiography by Wayne Gretzky with Rick Reilly
Wayne Gretzky recounts his personal and professional development in an autobiography written with Rick Reilly. The narrative includes relationships with coaches and owners, disputes involving hockey officials, and the experiences surrounding his move to the Los Angeles Kings. His marriage to Janet Jones forms part of the life outside the rink described alongside the sporting story. Written while his playing career was still underway, the account records an earlier stage of Gretzky’s public life rather than offering a retrospective of every team and achievement that followed.
99: Stories of the Game by Wayne Gretzky with Kirstie McLellan Day
Wayne Gretzky explores hockey history through the people, teams, and moments that shaped his understanding of the sport. Written with Kirstie McLellan Day, the book moves from the NHL’s early years through celebrated stars and championship dynasties, including the Edmonton teams he helped lead. Personal recollections sit beside accounts of players who influenced him before his own career began. This is a history of the game seen through a participant’s experience, rather than a second complete autobiography organized solely around Gretzky’s individual life.
Best Wayne Gretzky Books
99: Gretzky: His Game, His Story by Al Strachan
Al Strachan examines Wayne Gretzky’s career through a long association with the player and extensive conversations about hockey. Major records and performances provide milestones, while the narrative also considers moves between teams, international competition, and his later work beyond playing. Written with Gretzky’s cooperation, the biography draws on Strachan’s experience covering the sport and knowing its central figure. It connects the achievements with decisions and relationships surrounding them, following a career that extended from championship years in Edmonton into other cities and different responsibilities within hockey.
Best Wayne Gretzky Biography for Kids
Who Is Wayne Gretzky? by Gail Herman; illustrated by Ted Hammond
Gail Herman introduces Wayne Gretzky from childhood in Brantford, Ontario, through a hockey career associated with remarkable records and international recognition. The biography follows a boy absorbed in the sport into professional competition, Stanley Cup success, and appearances on the world stage. His relationships and public conduct appear alongside his playing achievements, presenting more than a sequence of statistical milestones. Written for young readers in the Who HQ series, the book offers a chronological introduction to the player known as the Great One and the life surrounding his success.