“The Great One” will return to Indianapolis for the midseason showcase on Jan. 15

The ECHL, in conjunction with the Indy Fuel, announced on Thursday that NHL legend Wayne Gretzky will be part of the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, taking place at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Jan. 15, 2018.

The all-time leading scorer in NHL history will return to the city where he began his professional career, serving as the guest of honor for the ECHL’s midseason showcase. Gretzky will be part of a special pre-game ceremony at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, and will drop the puck to kick off the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic.

“We are thrilled to have the one-and-only Wayne Gretzky be part of the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic,” Fuel CEO Sean Hallet said. “Who better to help celebrate pro hockey in Indianapolis than the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of skates? With Wayne involved, this event will be something our entire community can be excited for­ – not just the hockey fans.”

“It is an honor to be involved with the ECHL All-Star Classic,” Gretzky said. “I am looking forward to returning to Indianapolis to join the celebration in January.” 

At age 17, Gretzky made his pro debut with the WHA’s Indianapolis Racers at the beginning of the 1978-79 season. The much-touted young forward scored three goals and three assists with the Racers before being shipped to the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 2, 1978. 

Today, “The Great One” holds or shares a total of 61 league records, and is professional hockey’s all-time leader in points (2,875), goals (894), assists (1,963), points in a season (215), goals in a season (92), and assists in a season (163). A four-time Stanley Cup winner, Gretzky won a total of nine Hart Trophies as NHL MVP over an illustrious 20-year NHL career spanning from 1978 to 1999, spent with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers.

Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November of 1999 and saw his iconic No. 99 retired throughout the entire NHL before the All-Star Game in 2000. On Sept. 27, 2016, the native of Brantford, Ontario was named the official ambassador of the NHL’s Centennial Celebration, right before rejoining the Oilers as Vice Chairman on Oct. 12.

The CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic is coming to Indianapolis in 2018! The best players in AA hockey take the ice at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Jan. 15 as part of a celebration of professional hockey in the Circle City. Indy Fuel Ticket Plan Holders for the 2017-18 season can receive priority access to All-Star tickets, which will go on sale to the general public later in the fall. Visit ECHLAllStarClassic.com for more information, and become an All-Star Insider to get event updates, ticket information and special offers delivered right to your inbox.

About the ECHL

Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 27 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 29th season in 2016-17. There have been who have started their career in the ECHL who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 24 who made their NHL debuts in the 2016-17 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2016-17, marking the 20th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com as well as on Twitter and Facebook.