Angličtina - Great personality

Autor: Tomáš Vostrý

Who is great personality ? He is somebody, who is good at some branch of human activity. It may be sport, art, science, politic or literature. Each nation has own history, each branch has own great personalities, which change flow of our life. They  struggled for equal human rights, they invited important medicine, machine, chemical substance or something, what we consider by ordinary thing in our life, but in previous centuries meant progress and in many examples saved human’s life. Each period of time has own heroes, which became a symbol for people various ages, various society rank and various nationality. So they are world-famous.

     I ask to myself, who is my great personality. I have own favorite actress, singers, statesmen or scientist, but great personality can be the only. Let me introduce Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player all the time. He was born on 26^th January 1961 in Brantford, province Alberta in Canada. He started with hockey when he was 2 years old, he firstly stood on the ice behind house. His father Walter (he had roots in Poland) rebuilt old ruined barn to primitive ice arena. On this place was started one of the most excellent career in modern sport. He played hockey at every free time, he skated and shot on goalie and became young star at very short time. He played in team with older players very often, but his performances were the best in whole league. First big turning point in his life was year 1978. In this year he made first contract with professional hockey team from Edmonton. He was only 17 years old, so his manager had to disrupted rules for Wayne’s low age. In 1980 Edmonton Oilers entered to National Hockey League, the most famous and the most quality hockey competition of the world. Wayne Gretzky led his friends and team-mates from win to win, this young team managed to win Stanley Cup (the oldest hockey trophy in the world) four-time in the 80’s. He broke more than 60 records in NHL. He obtained plenty of hockey prices, he won ten Art Ross Trophies (for the most productivity player 1981-87, 1990, 1991, 1994),  five Lady Bing Trophies (for the most gently player 1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999), nine Hart Trophies (for the most useful player 1980-87, 1989) etc. Summary of his achievements is very big. He represented in Canadian National Team in the Winter Olympics Games in Nagano 1998 (4^th place) and in Canada Cup 1978, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1991. For his skill was called “The Great One”.

     In 1999 Wayne played last game in NHL. His successful career in Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Saint Louis Blues and New York Rangers ended. Sold out arena in New York (New York Rangers was Wayne’s last team) made a long standing ovation for big hockey legend. Wayne went to the cloakroom and he stripped off  jersey with number 99. This number nobody can use in NHL. “The Great One” played in 1487 games, he scored 894 goals and 1963 assists and he obtained 2857 points. Nobody has as results as Wayne Gretzky. In year 2000 was Gretzky voted to Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. It is probably the most valued honor for hockey player.