AIHL Welcomes Wayne Gretzky to Australia

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Wayne Gretzky, the National Hockey League’s (NHL) all-time leading goal scorer touched down in Sydney for the Wayne Gretzky Canada V USA Ice Hockey Classic and Bianca Musico of the Australia Ice Hockey League’s (AIHL) Sydney Bears, was there to greet him.
We caught up with Bianca to chat about her experience.

What does it mean for ice hockey in Australia to have Wayne Gretzky and fellow NHL and ex-NHL players in Sydney to play our game?

“Having Wayne Gretzky out here, along with current and former NHL players promoting ice hockey is a great way to open a dialogue about the game being played in Australia and generating a spark of interest”, says Bianca.
 
“These guys, particularly Gretzky, are the best influencers for the sport, so seeing them so involved in bringing ice hockey Down Under can only mean good things for Australian ice hockey. 
 
Tell us about your experience meeting the Great One? What was he like?
 
“I won’t lie, it was probably the most nerve-wracking interview I've ever done! Here you have this man who is the greatest player in the NHL and an idol to so many kids and adults, and I was going to be interviewing him... It's safe to say, I was a bit speechless at first”, Bianca shares.
 
“Once we got to talking though, it's easy to see why he is so loved on and off the ice. Humble about his successes, he just loves the game and wants to see it grow. He made time for every person to take photos, sign autographs and just have a chat.”
 
“It was one of those moments that didn't sink in until I got back to work and thought, "that actually just happened, I can't believe it." To be able to interview an icon like Gretzky in my hometown overlooking the Sydney Harbour - out of this world, doesn't begin to describe it!”   
 
What can junior ice hockey players take away from the Canada V USA Ice Hockey Classic series?
 
“Being able to see some of the best players in the world on the ice, with the hope that one day, it could be them out there,” remarks Bianca.  
 
“I saw it yesterday in some of the young players who ate up every bit of advice Gretzky gave them: it’s that drive and passion that comes from something you love.
 
If (junior hockey players) hold on to that, then they'll push themselves a little bit harder when they train and play – they will look for opportunities that will get them to that level.  Events like the Ice Hockey Classic facilitate that thought process for players and give them something tangible to inspire that push. 
 
Catch Bianca’s interview with Gretzky in full.