| At 14:47 of the second period in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Gretzky scored his eight hundred and second goal, passing the legendary Gordie Howe to become the greatest scorer in the history of the National Hockey League. The world of sports joined Gretzky's Los Angeles King teammates in ecstatic celebration. In anticipation of the event, Gretzky's teammates all chipped in to purchase for him an especially memorable reminder of the record-setting day-- a painting by America's premier sports artist, LeRoy Neiman. Neiman accepted the commission and created "Gretzky's Goal,: which was proudly presented to Wayne Gretzky by his friends and fellow L.A. Kings. Neiman's "Great Gretzsky" serigraph, executed with the stylish, intense power for which he has become so well know, depicts Gretzky's joy as he scores the long-awaited goal. The puck has just entered the net and Gretzky raises his arms overhead in triumph. Neiman has added to the intensity of the moment, balancing the glacial blue-green of the rink with vivid flashes of yellow and red. The attentive viewer can see Neiman's own personal recognitionof Gretzky's remarkable effort painted on the boards above the goal in pale blue: The Great Gretzky 802. Wayne Gretzky's offensive creativity and mannerly play helped revolutionize the image of ice hockey. Like LeRoy Neiman, Gretzky has pursued his passion with style and success. In doing so, both artists have transformed their fields. Both continue to create and achieve. Wayne Gretzky's goal is not just to score more times than anyone in National Hockey League history, Like Neiman, his goal is to be the best. |
