Mr. Speaker, December 30, 1981. I will never forget that night.
Wayne Gretzky took to the ice with seconds remaining on the clock. The Great One was only one point away from scoring 50 goals in 39 games. My sons were cheering. I, along with thousands of fans were chanting, “Come on, Wayne, let's go. Come on, Wayne, let's go”.
The puck found Wayne's stick as if by magnetic attraction. The Flyers could only watch as Wayne made that memorable shot.
He shoots, he scores and the fans went wild. Single-handedly, Wayne Gretzky brought finesse back to hockey. With it, he brought untold delight and sheer wonder to millions of fans in North America and throughout the world.
Wayne is in a class by himself. Wow, what a Canadian. There will never be another like No. 99. Now his records belong to the ages.
On behalf of all Canadians, thank you, Wayne, thank you very much.