Now Gretzky has a new title, a new honor: Ambassador.
Gretzky on Tuesday officially was named the ambassador for the NHL's Centennial, a yearlong celebration of 100 years of the NHL that commences on Jan. 1 and concludes Dec. 31, 2017.
"This is the greatest game in the world," Gretzky said. "Everything I have in my life is because of the National Hockey League and the game of hockey, so when the commissioner called me a couple months ago and asked me if I wanted to be involved in this, I said, 'Absolutely.'
"It's a great thrill for me."
Getting Gretzky back in the NHL in an official capacity is a thrill for the League too. He hasn't been involved in the NHL in an official capacity since resigning as coach of the Arizona Coyotes on Sept. 25, 2009.
"He's never left the family," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "He's had a variety of roles, and at certain times in his life, he may have been more or less focused, post-playing, but he's always been in touch. Everything we've ever needed him for, he's always been there for us. This is a little different, this is a more major commitment, over a longer period of time, but he embraced it immediately."