I don't know a lot about hockey. I just started following the sport after the creation of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. I loved the movie, so I liked the team.

There were only a few things I knew about hockey then. First, it was rough. People lost teeth. Second, lots of Canadians and Russians played. Third, Wayne Gretzky was the Great One.

Shortly after I started watching hockey, I became a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I loved watching Mario Lemieux. As a Penguins fan, I was required to hate the New York Rangers. It's only natural. That being the case, when Gretzky became a Ranger, I found myself in the difficult situation of having to root against the greatest hockey player ever.

I still remember many moments from when the Rangers and Penguins met, watching my hero, Super Mario, take on the Great One. The things those two men could do on the ice were amazing. Skill on that level is rarely seen in any sport. I cheered every time Lemieux scored or assisted a goal, and I was distraught every time Gretzky did the same. It was pure bliss watching these two rivals play.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Lemieux retired a couple years ago, leaving Gretzky as the one true great in hockey. I was physically shaken when I watched Lemieux's last game against the Philadelphia Flyers, watching Eric Lindros power past Lemieux for a goal.

I experienced a similar feeling when I heard the Great One was gone. I loved Lemieux and Gretzky for the incredible things they did on the ice, things few mortal men could duplicate. But I loved them more for the men they were off the ice. Both gave time to charity, and both were strong family men. They were in many ways everything a sportsman should be.

Gretzky holds 61 NHL records. He led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cups. He won nine Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. During his 20-year career, he led the NHL in scoring 10 times, assists 14 times and goals five times. He is the all-time goal-scoring leader in hockey history. He tallied more assists (1,963) in his career than any other NHL player had total points (For figuring points, a goal is two points and an assist is one).

Gretzky was also a diplomat for his sport around the world. Many people don't know anything about the NHL, but most of them know who Gretzky is.

The NHL will decide on April 29 whether they will forego the waiting period and induct Gretzky with the next NHL Hall of Fame class. Lemieux was the last hockey legend to receive this honor. It should be a no-brainer that Gretzky will be given it as well.

Gretzky epitomizes what it is to be an athlete and a man. Few other people in the world of sports have ever risen to the level that he has reached. Michael Jordan. Muhammad Ali. Carl Lewis. Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Jackie Robinson. Mark McGwire. Sammy Sosa. These are all people who transcend their sports. The list is short and prestigious, and Gretzky must be somewhere near the top.

James Royal is sports editor for The Oklahoma Daily. He can be reached at james@daily.ou.edu. For more information about Wayne Gretzky, check out www.nhl.com/gretzky/99reasons.htm.
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