The Chicago Cubs baseball team has drafted the son of a hockey legend. Trevor Gretzky, the son of hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, was picked in the seventh round by Chicago. The Great One’s son knocks in runs – not goals – as a California high school first baseman.
Trevor is expected to wear number 99, but the 6-foot-4 power-hitter’s comparisons to his dad’s NHL legacy stop there.
Growing up in southwest USA meant Trevor had little opportunity to play hockey. Football and baseball are his games of choice, and he attracted attention from colleges in both sports. When asked what sport is his favourite, Wayne Gretzky said, “He’s a normal kid. When he’s playing football, he says football; when he’s playing baseball, he says baseball.”
Although he’s not following directly in his father’s footsteps, Trevor joins the list of children of star athletes who are staying in the family business.
Brett Hull, son of NHL legend Bobby Hull
Now an executive with the Dallas Stars, Brett Hull is a former player who skated with five NHL teams. In a THIS LONG career, Hull scored 741 goals in 21 seasons, making him the third-highest goal scorer in NHL history.
Hull, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, was renowned for his awe-inspiring shot – much like his father, the legendary Bobby Hull.
“My dad never taught me anything directly,” Brett once said. “He just said, “˜Watch me.’ I figured out [the game] by watching what he did.”
But unlike his father, who is still regarded as the best left winger in NHL history, Brett wasn’t a fiery competitor. “I’m not like my dad. He was aggressive, with a quick temper. I’m a lazy person,” Brett admitted. “I’d rather be sitting here watching television than anything.”
Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan
The six-foot-three, 205 pound guard is making a name for himself at the University of Central Florida. Marcus Jordan led the Knights to a Division I-best 14-0 start, and has become the face of the rapidly transitioning team.
"Marcus may not be the freakish athlete that his dad was, and nobody is, but he’s definitely a capable scorer that is making his own name,” said CBS basketball analyst Seth Davis.
Laila Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali
Laila Ali began her boxing career when she was 15 years old. When first learning of his daughter’s desire to get into boxing, Muhammad Ali was concerned about her getting into such a dangerous sport.
In her first match in 1999, Laila knocked out her opponent in the first round. She went on to win all 24 of her career fights – winning 21 of those fights by knockout.
Mark Howe, son of NHL legend Gordie Howe
“Mark” isn’t the first name you think of when talking about Howe and professional hockey, but Mark Howe had a successful NHL career in his own right. Mark was drafted 25th overall in 1974 by the Boston Bruins.
Mark’s best season was in 1985 when he earned a total of 82 points, some of the best numbers recorded by an NHL defenseman. That same season, he led the NHL with an impressive +85 record. Mark was a two-time runner-up for the Norris Trophy, which is handed out to the best defenceman each season, losing out in the 1985-86 season to Edmonton Oiler Paul Coffey. Coffey posted one of the best records in NHL history by a defenceman, racking up 138 points in the season.
With files from The Canadian Press
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