"I wanted to show Wayne Gretzky not only as the world's greatest hockey player but also as the boy who loved hockey and persevered towards his dream through hard work and under the coaching of his father. To get the details right, I travelled to Brantford, Ontario, to spend time with those closest to Wayne -- his parents. At the Gretzky family home, where Walter built those famous backyard ice rinks, I pored through photo albums and studied Wayne as a youngster. I also had the chance to sketch Walter in his characteristic coaching pose. I left Brantford convinced that Wayne's dedication to his sport, and the support of his parents, are what made it possible for the Great One to realize his dream."

- James Lumbers