Why Wayne Gretzky’s son Trevor picked baseball over hockey despite growing up in the Great One’s shadow

Trevor Gretzky had every reason to lace up skates and follow his legendary father into the world of professional hockey. But instead, he charted his own path—choosing the baseball diamond over the ice rink and committing to San Diego State University to play college baseball under the guidance of MLB Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.

Why Trevor Gretzky turned his back on hockey and defied a dynasty

Growing up in Southern California, Trevor didn’t have the same access to ice rinks that his father Wayne Gretzky did as a young Canadian prodigy. While the hockey stick was ever-present in his room, there simply wasn’t enough ice to match the passion. “He's grown up in the Southwest, and he's never really had a desire to skate,” Wayne explained in an 2008 ESPN interview.

“If you can't skate, you can't play in the NHL. It's pretty simple.” Trevor echoed that sentiment: “I played growing up — I was a goalie. But there is nowhere to play out here.”


Though he once played hockey and even briefly pursued football as a linebacker at Oaks Christian High School in California, it was baseball that ultimately captured Trevor’s focus. His decision wasn't just about logistics; it was about stepping out of his father’s shadow and building something of his own.

With his towering 6-foot-5 frame and dedication to hard work, Wayne believed his son had all the right tools: “The good news for him is that he does work hard, he's very humble, he's 6-foot-5 — he has all the attributes.”

Trevor wasn’t the only Gretzky son who explored hockey. His older brother Ty had a brief stint at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a renowned hockey prep school, but stepped away after realizing he wouldn't go far in the sport. “He didn’t play a lot. He realized he was not going to be a player,” Wayne admitted. “But it was all good. He lived away from home and he loved the year.”

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With a family legacy that casts a long shadow over the hockey world, Trevor Gretzky’s pivot to baseball is more than a career choice—it’s a declaration of independence. And perhaps, a smart one. After all, it’s easier to write your own story when you’re not playing on a page your father already filled with greatness.