Gretzky's Tears

Gretzky's Tears chronicles the events surrounding Wayne Gretzky's 1988 trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. The book uses this pivotal moment in hockey history as a lens to examine the transformation of the NHL during that era. The narrative follows multiple interconnected storylines, including the business dealings of Kings owner Bruce McNall, the culture clash between Canadian and American hockey markets, and the personal impact on Gretzky himself. Through interviews and research, Brunt reconstructs the sequence of events that led to the most significant trade in NHL history. The book explores relationships between key figures in the hockey world, including team owners, league officials, players, and media personalities. These connections reveal the complex dynamics that shaped professional hockey during its period of expansion and commercialization. At its core, this is a story about the collision between sports tradition and business evolution, examining how a single transaction marked the end of one era in hockey and the beginning of another. The emotional press conference that gives the book its title serves as a symbol for broader changes in professional sports.

Readers highlight the book's detailed examination of the 1988 Gretzky trade and its impact on hockey culture in Canada. Many note the strong reporting and insights into the business dealings behind the scenes. Positives: - Deep research and interviews with key figures - Cultural context beyond just hockey - Balanced portrayal of both Gretzky and Peter Pocklington - Clear explanation of the trade's financial aspects Negatives: - Some sections drag with business minutiae - Readers wanted more personal details about Gretzky - A few note the title misleads, as tears are only briefly mentioned - Canadian readers found the extensive background unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (329 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (41 ratings) Reader quote: "Brunt excels at the bigger picture - how this trade marked the end of hockey's small-town Canadian roots and the beginning of its American corporate era." - Goodreads reviewer

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🏒 The book's title refers to Wayne Gretzky's emotional press conference on August 9, 1988, when he announced his trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings - a moment that changed hockey history. 🌟 Before writing this book, author Stephen Brunt spent several years as Canada's premier sports columnist at The Globe and Mail, earning multiple National Newspaper Awards. 💰 The trade detailed in the book involved $15 million in cash going to Oilers owner Peter Pocklington, who was facing serious financial difficulties at the time. 🎬 The events chronicled in the book helped spark the NHL's expansion into the American Sun Belt, as Gretzky's presence in Los Angeles created new interest in hockey across the southern United States. 🏆 During the period covered in the book, Gretzky had already won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers and would go on to break 61 NHL records throughout his career.