Flashback to 1989: Wayne Gretzky statue unveiled at Northlands

Twenty-six years ago today, 'The Great One' Wayne Gretzky himself returned to Edmonton for a special ceremony honouring his contributions to the Edmonton Oilers and hockey at large.

The ceremony, held Aug. 27, 1989, took place just one year after he was traded to the Los AngelesKings.

As thousands of people looked on, a giant bronze statue of Gretzky, currently outside Rexall Place,was unveiled to mark the occasion.

A noticeably younger Gretzky, with his wife and young child in tow, is obviously overwhelmed by the figure, and makes a joke that it willmake it harder for him to return toEdmonton ice playingfor the opposite team.