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Well, maybe The Great One is not playing for team Belarus these Olympic games. However, there were some hints that he should from Belorussian readers of “Komsomolskaya Pravda” (KP) newspaper. KP broke the story of Wayne reuniting with some of his relatives in Belarus during his visit to KHL All Star game which was held in Minsk on January 30th. Here is a link to KP’s story, yes its in Russian, and no I am not going to translate it for you!
I know this is unrelated to Penguins but being that i was born in Minsk, Belarus this story is just too epic for me not to write about. Like i said i am not going to translate KP’s article instead i am going to translate this article on the same story which contains full interview with Wayne. Are you ready? Enjoy …
Great Canadian hockey player reunited with some of his Belorussian relatives in Minsk.
There lived a Belarus Terentiy Lavrentievich Gretzky. It wasn’t a sweet life for him in the Russian Empire, and sometime in the beginning of the 20th century he decided to test out his luck overseas leaving war and ruins behind him. With his wife Anna and son Zinoviy, Terentiy headed to to Canada. It seems that quality of life really improved for the family from Belorussian Podlese, since 4 more kids were born – Fedor, Vasiliy, Ekaterina, and Olga. As “Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus” reporting that family story is not fully known about what happened in Canada, however Anna and the kids sometime around 1930′s returned to their Belorussian village, which was located close to Polish border. It seems that Terentiy soon should have follow his wife, however that never happened. Anna couldn’t reestablish her new life without her husband and wanted to return overseas, however that also didn’t work out.
Terentiy without waiting for his Anna, got remarried to a Polish girl. They had kids. A son, Walter was born. Walter had a son of his own – Wayne. Wayne became a great sportsman – Pele of hockey.
When Belorussian branch of Gretzky family tree once again heard the name Wayne Gretzky, they decided to find out if he is related to them. Galina Soldatenkova – granddaughter of Terentiy from Belorussian city named Svisloch, remembered that her father Zinoviy for a long time exchanged letters with his father, who sent him pictures from America. He also wrote about Wayne, and called him by a Russian name Vanya.
There came a letter from America from Albert Gretzky – uncle of Wayne. Everyone was sure that they are related. However, nothing more than a few more letters came out of it. This story in general terms was told to us by Galina Soldatenkova. Turns out they have the same grandfather in common.
When Wayne came to Belarus, Canadian hockey player found out about his existing Belorussian relatives, after which he called his father Walter in Canada.
- Dad said that he is coming to Belarus this summer, to meet with the relatives, – said Wayne the next day.
After dusk Belorussian relatives of Wayne Gretzky arrived in Minsk, and after KHL All Star game which took place at “Minsk-Arena” met with Canadian hockey player in hotel called “Europe”.
Wayne gave all the kids Belorussian candies
Despite busy schedule of meetings, Wayne found the time to meet with Galina Soldatenkova. He returned from All Star game, slept for hour and a half and decided to dedicate 30 minutes for the meeting.
He came down the hall at exactly 8pm. Well dressed – blue jacket, brown kashmir scarf with matching boots, and snow-white dress shirt.
- Its really him. He looks similar – whispering Belorussian relatives. It seems like they might still think that the star won’t come over.
However, Wayne scanning with his eyes trying to find the translator, together they headed right for our company. Orders a beer from the bar. He greets everyone.
- Brother, over here, – Galina inviting him to join her on the couch.
- How are we related? – right away asks Wayne. It seems like he is still startled by the sudden discovery of his relatives.
- It so happens that our grandfather Terenity…
- Ok! So he is also your grandfather? - Wayne asks finally realizing the relative ties.
- Together Terentiy and his brother Lukyanov were in America, – continues Galina.
- Oh Louie! – says Wayne finding the American version of the name.
- He has three kids … – says Galina
- … and they live in Chicago, – continues Wayne. - Grandpa and his brother first traveled to Chicago. Then grandpa left for Canada … My father really wants to come here this summer, visit these places.
- We are very happy, – Galina starts to show photos of kids of Terentiy, who live in Belarus, that are half brother and half sister of Wayne’s father.
- Uncle Fedor is still alive? - asks Wayne.
- Fedor and Ekaterina both still alive. She is 84. Fedor is soon turning 80.
- I don’t even think my father knows this … – says Wayne.
- Really? Maybe he doesn’t, – Galina continues to show photos. – This is my father and grandma in America.
- So this lady was married to my grandpa? - asks Wayne with surprised tone.
- Yes. That’s his first wife.
- How do you write Gretzky in your language? - asks Wayne.
Translator spells out the last name. ( Грецкий )
- Oh, this photo was in the newspaper? - asks Wayne seeing familiar photo.
- Yes, yes. Unfortunately, not many photos are left since our house burned down. All letters from America burned down as well…
- Ohh!!! Where are you living now? – asks Wayne.
- In Svisloch. Its located in western part of Belarus. 300 kilometers away from Minsk. Right next to Poland.
- Ohh yeah? My grandmother was from Poland, from Warsaw. They were married in Canada.
- We had a picture of their marriage. Do you still have photos of our grandfather?
- I have them at home. Give me your address and my father will send them to you.
- Please send us more pictures of all of your relatives.
- Of course! Be sure of that! My grandfather is a photo enthusiast.
- My father was a photo enthusiast as well! This is something they have in common.
- What’s your name? - Wayne directs the question to Galina’s grandson.
- Alexei.
- You play any sports?
- Voleyball.
- Okay. Thats very good. I am leaving tomorrow. I will give your address to my father right away. He will write you a letter, - promises Wayne. – He speaks Ukrainian. He is 72 years old. Grandpa Terentiy used to speak Belorussian. Grandma spoke Polish. They spoke Ukrainian among themselves. All the kids had Ukrainian as their first language. In 1972, during Canada vs USSR game, my mother gave TV interview and suddenly switched over to Russian and Ukrainian mixed language. Everyone was surprised. Also, my parents used to live on a farm, and their neighbor was from Belarus.
- How did life of our grandfather turn out? What did he do? – curiously asks Galina.
- Anthony (thats how he was called in Canada) was in second wold war in Canadian army. After that he was a farmer: grew potato, bred pigs, and chickens. I was close to our grandfather. Till i was 8 year old, every summer i would visit him. My father was helping on the farm for a few weeks during summer. Grandpa loved me the most. The rest of the grand kids were not too excited over that.
- It happens to have favorites, – Galina says while nodding
- When I just started playing hockey, my grandpa and grandma would come visit me during practice. When somebody would hit me during the practice my grandma would try to step up for me and hit them back!
- People say we look alike. What do you think? – asks Galina
- Well i am going to remain being Gretzky … maybe you want to take a picture? – says Wayne hinting towards ending the conversation.
Canadian smiles into the camera. Belorussian are little shy.
- Wait a moment! We have a gift for you, – exclaimed Galina taking out a box of chocolates. – Its for the kids!
This Wayne did not expect. Apparently, he might not even remember the last time when somebody gave him – a millionaire – a box of candies.
- This is from our Belovezhskiy Forest, – Galina took out a clay figure of a Belorussian-grandpa with a mustache and a bag with 4 chocolate bars.
Wayne ordered two bottles of wine from the bar and presented them to Galina.
- Silly me! Gave Wayne only 4 chocolate bars. He has 5 kids! – remembered Galina after saying goodbye to Wayne. – Its ok i also gave them a box of chocolates they can share.
The next day after return to Svislsoch, Wayne’s number of Belorussian relatives increased by one. Galina’s granddaughter was born.
Gretzky Family Tree
LETS GO BELARUS!
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