Teemu Selanne once impersonated Wayne Gretzky to prank Bruce Boudreau

By ARJUN B

Modified Aug 09, 2024 03:52 GMT

Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne revealed an entertaining prank he once pulled on his former coach Bruce Boudreau involving impersonating Wayne Gretzky.

On the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on Tuesday, Selanne told the story of how Boudreau had excitedly shared that he had met Gretzky for beers the night before a game day.

"Bruce telling how unbelievable night it was, I met Wayne Gretzky, and I had a beer, couple of beers with him. He just, just kept telling and telling the story how crazy it was like little kid, you know." Selanne said.

"And then, one the way to the hotel, I said you know what? I'm gonna text him, he doesn't know it's me, but I was texting to be Wayne." “And I said, hi Bruce, what a great night, you know, I have so much fun, I admire your coaching style and everything, hopefully we can do this again. ....”

Teemu Selanne described how Boudreau immediately started texting back elatedly. As game time approached, Selanne, posing as Gretzky, kept stringing Boudreau along about potentially meeting up after the game.

During the bus ride back from the game,

“Then I said, so Bruce you really want to meet me tonight? He said yes, okay. Come back in the bus. So, then you should see his face how he disappointed he was. ... I felt so bad, he took it really well, and it was pretty funny."

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Teemu Selanne shares about incident with ex-Jets GM Mike Smith

Teemu Selanne recounted an infamous incident with former Winnipeg Jets general manager Mike Smith during his historic rookie season in 1992-93.

With just a few games left, Selanne had 47 goals and was closing in on Bossy's record. But after being held scoreless for two straight games, Smith called Selanne into his office. Selanne said:

"He said 'what are you doing?' And I said 'what do you mean?' 'You haven't scored two games.' I said, 'yeah, I did have some chance, but, you know, no'. ''You got to start scoring, and otherwise I'll have to send you to Moncton in the Farm team,'” Selanne said to Spittin' Chiclets podcast.

Selanne was stunned by the threat to demote him. But he was outraged when he later learned Smith had accosted his girlfriend (now wife) at the mall, asking her:

"Do you know where Moncton is?" Teemu Selanne said, "I can't believe this."

The GM's pressure tactics had the opposite effect, motivating Selanne to erupt for four goals in the next game against Minnesota, which brought his total to 51. In the final home game, Selanne completed a hat-trick to break Bossy's record in dramatic fashion.

Reflecting back, Selanne said with amusement:

"So then Mike Smith probably think that it was because of him you know?"

He would finish the season with 76 goals, shattering Bossy's rookie record that still stands.