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From: lake@alberta.UUCP (Robert Lake)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: The Great One
Message-ID: <197@alberta.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Oct-84 12:14:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: alberta.197
Posted: Tue Oct 16 12:14:36 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Oct-84 06:31:28 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: U. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Lines: 31

I don't see how you can say Wayne Gretzky "could never hold a candle to
Gordie Howe".  In my view, Wayne Gretzky is playing in a league that is
at least as demanding, if not more so, than Gordie Howe did.  Players 
today are much faster, bigger, have better hockey skills, and better
conditioning than ever before (as is true with every sport - e.g. consider
the record breaking performances in the Olympics).

More kids are playing organized hockey in Canada and the US than the days
of the 6 team league, and the NHL has the European countries in addition
to the expanded North American hockey program to draw talent from (during
the days of the 6 team league virtually every player was a Canadian).  Thus
I don't feel the calibre of talent these days is at all inferior to what
was offered in the days of the 6 team league.

Gordie Howe himself has said that Wayne Gretzky makes moves and plays that
he never dreamed possible.  At the same time, Gretzky has stated that his
ideal as a young player was Howe, and in fact wanted his number for his
jersey (but settled for 99 because someone else already had 9).

I feel comparing Gordie Howe to Wayne Gretzky is like comparing apples to
oranges.  They are both very different hockey players, with very different
abilities and playing styles.  Also, Howe acquired his reputation after
about 25 years of play.  Gretzky has been in for only 5 years.  How can you
compare the two?

Also, compare the abilities of most of the top scorers for the 6 team
league against Gretzky's abilities.  Think of guys like Stan Mikita.
How can you say he would have been only average in that league?

				Robert Lake (alberta!lake)
				University of Alberta