Send this page to someone via email Wayne Gretzky has been named a global ambassador for Beijing’s Kunlun Red Star as the Chinese capital seeks to boost the profile of hockey domestically ahead of hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022. Gretzky will focus on youth development in China, including a planned KRS-Gretzky Hockey School that will provide advanced training for players aged 8-17 in Beijing and the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, eventually expanding to at least 20 locations nationwide. WATCH BELOW: One-on-one with Wayne Gretzky 3:15 One-on-one with Wayne Gretzky One-on-one with Wayne Gretzky – Aug 1, 2017 Red Star is China’s only professional team and plays in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League. Story continues below advertisement China is seeking to boost hockey in a country where winter sports participation remains in its infancy. The official China Daily newspaper quoted Red Star’s Executive Director Ao Meng as saying Gretzky’s involvement would be a “tremendous boost.” “To now have him part of the growth of hockey in China in the buildup to the 2022 Winter Olympics will promote interest and participation in the sport, especially among young people,” Ao said. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "To now have him part of the growth of hockey in China in the buildup to the 2022 Winter Olympics will promote interest and participation in the sport, especially among young people," Ao said. Gretzky is scheduled to make promotional visits to Beijing, Shenzhen and the financial center of Shanghai on Sept. 12-18. For the second year, the National Hockey League is holding promotional games in China, with the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames facing off in Shenzhen on Sept. 15 and Beijing on Sept. 19. China represents an as-yet untapped resource for the NHL, especially ahead of the 2022 Olympics. Commissioner Gary Bettman has so far been noncommittal about the NHL going to the 2022 Games after skipping the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. But the work is already under way in an increasingly competitive sports market in China, where the NBA has had a presence for decades. Story continues below advertisement WATCH BELOW: Chinese hockey players learn from Canadians 2:32 Chinese hockey players learning from Canadians Chinese hockey players learning from Canadians – Jan 29, 2018<doc-sep>EDMONTON—Hours after it was reported that Wayne Gretzky had been named ambassador to a Chinese hockey team, he met with reporters to discuss the future of the game he played a vital role in growing. Gretzky was in Edmonton on Wednesday for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup – a hockey tournament showcasing the best under-18 hockey players from around the globe representing their countries. It’s the first time the tournament has been played in Edmonton. Until 2022, it will alternate between the city and European cities. The Associated Press reported earlier in the day that Gretzky would be the global ambassador for Beijing’s Kunlun Red Star, the only Chinese team playing in the Russian pro league, the KHL. “We’ve been working on this for close to two years and the Chinese people and Chinese business community has really rallied around ice hockey because they’re hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics,” said Gretzky to the media at Rogers Place. “So we’re going to go over, my son and I, we’re going to do a little bit of a hockey academy there and we’re going to see about building ice rinks in China.” His son, Ty Gretzky, runs hockey camps and the two will go over to show people how to play the game to help promote the sport. However, Thursday being the 30th anniversary of the infamous trade to Los Angeles from the Edmonton Oilers shocked the sports world, Gretzky was asked how he felt about it. “I don’t talk too much about it. Everybody sort of knows what transpired, what happened, and that’s that,” he said. With the Hlinka Gretzky Cup taking place and him becoming a hockey ambassador in China, Gretzky has the future of the sport to look out for and is focused on that rather than what’s behind him. “They’re really trying to put a little bit of an imprint of our game and our sport in China, and it just only helps make our game get bigger,” he said of the NHL. However, the NHL barred its players from going to the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, leaving it up in the air whether players could attend the 2022 Games in Beijing. Gretzky said he has a firm stance on NHL players playing in the Olympics: they should be there. Full stop. “I think its special. I think it rallies the country, the players love to play in it,” he said. “Hopefully, they can come to an agreement, the league and the (players) union, and we can get the best players back into the Olympics.” Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Read more about:<doc-sep>EDMONTON — Wayne Gretzky may be retired from playing, but when it comes to Olympic participation, teaching the game in China, or Canadian kids and summer hockey, he’s still got strong opinions. Gretzky met with the media Wednesday at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, where he was peppered with questions on a slow day in the hockey world. We put them together here, one day short of the 30th anniversary of his trade (read: sale) from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings back in 1988. That topic, ironically, was the one subject he didn’t much care to speak at length on. Here is the conversation: On the death of Stan Mikita: Wayne Gretzky: Obviously it’s a sad day for his family, teammates, people that knew him and obviously the fans in Chicago. He was one of my dad’s favourite players, so the very first game I played, the first face-off I got to go against Stan Mikita, so I thought that was pretty cool. He just was a special guy and not too many guys in the game of hockey have had the most penalty minutes and then won the Lady Byng [Memorial Trophy], and then won the scoring race and the Hart Trophy, so good on him. He was great for our sport and he was innovative and was probably a big part to bringing the curved stick to hockey today. But most importantly, he was very much liked by his teammates and had a tremendous family. Thursday is the 30th anniversary of the trade to L.A. Your thoughts? Gretzky: It’s for other people to talk about. I don’t really talk about it much. It happened, it’s part of life, it’s part of history. It seems like it was 10 years and then 25 years and here we are at 30 years. In 35 years I’m sure I’ll probably get asked the same question. What does the China ambassador job entail? (Gretzky was announced Wednesday as the global ambassador for Kunlun Red Star of the KHL. He and his son Ty will open two hockey schools in China). Gretzky: We’ve been working on this for close to two years. The Chinese people and the Chinese business community have really rallied around ice hockey because they’re hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, so they really want to have a good showing and they’ve built these academies. They have one in Canada and one in the United States. So we’re going to go over, my son and I, we’re going to do a little hockey academy there and we’re going to see about building ice rinks in China. And it turns out there will be an NHL game (Calgary vs. Boston) when we’re there, so we’ll get to see a game. It’ll be a fun trip. I’ve never been to China. I’m looking forward to it and it should be a lot of fun. It’s an untapped market… Gretzky: The Chinese people have really rallied around hockey. Somebody told me that last year, Pittsburgh and Nashville had 36 million people in China that watched Game 6. So it shows you the size of the market in China is pretty amazing. So, good on the NHL for realizing that, and they’ve stepped in. They’re really trying to put a bit of an imprint of our game and our sport in China and it just helps make our game bigger. You were credited with spreading hockey’s gospel through the South when you were traded to L.A. Is this the same thing, but in China? Gretzky: No. This is great for hockey, it’s a good business transaction for me and my family — my son runs hockey camps and this will really be a great experience for him. But one person doesn’t make the game, one person doesn’t sell the game. It takes everyone. The sport makes the player, the player doesn’t make the sport. Are you in favour of the NHL participating in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing? Gretzky: I’ve made no secret that I believe the players should be at the Olympics. I think it’s special, I think it rallies the country, the players love to play in it … Hopefully they can come to an agreement, the league and the union, and we can get the best players back into the Olympics. Can this arrangement you have in China create an environment that the players union and league can not say no to? Gretzky: I don’t know about that — that’s up for the union and the players and the commissioner to make that decision. That’s not for me. I don’t have all the answers to all that sort of stuff. That’s between the union and Mr. Bettman. I’ve made no secret, I think it’s great for guys like Connor (McDavid) and (Leon) Draisaitl playing in the Olympics. It was great for me, it was great for Sidney [Crosby]. I’d love to see those kids get that chance. What about the Hlinka Gretzky Cup? Is there an education process for the fans? Gretzky: Listen, I played in ’77 at the World Junior. We had 1,200 people in the Montreal Forum. Now, look at a World Junior when Canada plays — you have 17,000 people. So it isn’t going to happen over night. This is a nice hockey town and a great sports city. The Canadian team … I am very impressed with their size, skill and speed. This is a stepping stone. Two years from now, (crowds) will be better and better. Bobby Orr recently said he thought that too many Canadian kids played hockey year-round. What are your thoughts on summer hockey? Gretzky: I’m a big believer in Bobby Orr. I’ve said (the same thing) for a lot of years. When I was 12, 13, 14, I played baseball, lacrosse, track and field … I think all those sports helped me to be a better hockey player. I think there’s an unfair balance. Some kids can’t afford to play all year round, and they think they get left behind. That’s not true. By playing soccer, lacrosse, those sports help their hockey. When I finished playing hockey, in mid-April usually, I threw my bag in the basement and I didn’t get it back until after Labour Day. I didn’t skate in the summertime. I didn’t go to hockey schools — my family couldn’t afford it, to be honest — so I played baseball and lacrosse. I think they helped my hockey career, and the other thing was, when I came back in September I was fresh and excited to play again because I hadn’t skated for three or four months. (Even as a pro), by not skating in the off-season, I was always a lot fresher in January and February. Did you pattern yourself after Stan Mikita at all? Gretzky: No, I couldn’t wear the helmet. It looked too heavy. And the stick had too big of a curve. I played golf with him a couple of times and he was one of the great golfers, as a hockey player. Like, a one handicap. I played with him in Chicago at Medinah one year. I must have shot close to 100 and I think he had 71 or 72. It was pretty embarrassing. What’s it like going to a major golf tournament now, when Dustin Johnson is your daughter’s significant other? Gretzky: It’s interesting. He’s very serious, very focused. I just try to stay out of his way … especially the night before. You don’t really want to talk a lot, and just focus on what you’re doing. He has his routine. It’s strange for me to see him, when he plays in the afternoon he works out for two hours in the morning. But that’s his routine and he sticks to it. Tape to Tape Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Canada’s most beloved game. Tell us about your relationship with Ivan Hlinka.<doc-sep>
Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is taking up a role as global ambassador for Chinese club Kunlun Red Star, who compete in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Beijing-based Red Star is China’s only professional ice hockey club, and Gretzky’s role will include helping to develop youth participation in the sport as the Chinese capital gears up to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. The club began competing in the Russian-based KHL in 2016 – the year they were founded – and the team’s roster consists predominantly of overseas players. NHL legend Gretzky, 57, is also planning to open a KRS-Gretzky Hockey School for players aged 8-17 in Beijing and the city of Shenzhen, which could possibly expand to more than 20 locations across China, according to the China Daily newspaper. READ MORE: Ice hockey star Panarin mocks anti-Russian sanctions in tractor video Red Star executive director Ao Meng said Gretzky’s new role would provide a “tremendous boost” to efforts to grow the game in the country. “To now have him part of the growth of hockey in China in the build-up to the 2022 Winter Olympics will promote interest and participation in the sport, especially among young people,” Ao said. "His contribution to the game is incalculable. To now have him part of the growth of hockey in China in the build-up to the 2022 Winter Olympics will promote interest and participation in the sport, especially among young people." Greyzky – nicknamed ‘The Great One’ due to his stellar 20-year career in which he became the all-time leading NHL scorer – said that he was “excited” by the chance to help the game develop in the Far East. "I'm excited to make my first trip to China next month and partner with Kunlun Red Star to grow this wonderful game," the Hall of Famer said, adding: "I'm looking forward to seeing more and more young players take part in the sport." Gretzky is set to make visits to Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai in September – the same month as the NHL holds promotional games in China with the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames facing off in two encounters. READ MORE: Russian NHL star Ovechkin wins ESPY best male athlete award Red Star begin the new KHL season with a clash against Finnish outfit Jokerit on September 3 in Helsinki. The KHL was formed out of the Russian Superleague in 2008, and has since grown to 25 teams from seven countries: Russia (19 teams), Belarus (1), China (1), Finland (1), Kazakhstan (1), Latvia (1) and Slovakia (1).