The Great One hopes for a tie in Oilers-Jets legends game in Winnipeg

"The Great One" is a nickname most people with an ego would happily accept, but unlike his line of wines, the moniker hasn't exactly gotten easier to swallow with age, Wayne Gretzky says.

"It's a little embarrassing. Trust me, I would prefer that I didn't have that nickname. Most of my friends call me Wayne or Gretz. It's never used when I am in the company of friends."

No. 99 will be in Winnipeg this week for the 2016 Heritage Classic. He, Teemu Selanne and other Jets and Oilers alumni will dust off the skates to play in the legends game Saturday at Investors Group Field.

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He's looking forward to taking in the games alongside former NHLers and reminiscing about the good old days.

"This is going to be a wonderful weekend," he said.

I hope it's not as cold at this outdoor game in Winnipeg as when I was there for the Grey Cup in [1991] when it was 40 below.- Wayne Gretzky

In August, the NHL asked Gretzky to be an ambassador for the league's 100th anniversary, a badge he is proud to wear.

The gig includes appearances at some of the league's biggest events this season, including at the Heritage Classic, the outdoor Winter Classic in St. Louis in March and the 2017 All-Star game in Los Angeles in January, where the NHL will honour the top 100 players in the league's first century in business.

"It was an honour to me," he said. "I was going to go to the events anyway."

Gretzky turned pro in 1978 at the age of 17. He signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association, where he played briefly before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Hall of Famer put up numerous NHL scoring records over the years that made him the giant figure he is in the hockey world. But in the early days, Gretzky says his dreams were to become a great hockey player, not a legend.

"Along the way, obviously we all hoped to have that same dream of lifting the Stanley Cup and being part of a team that will be remembered in the history of the National Hockey League. And you don't really ever sit back and think about personal accomplishments, because it's about survival. Especially when you're younger, you're trying to make sure you make a mark for yourself and stay in the league."

99: Stories of the Game

On the surface, life after hockey has followed a trajectory familiar to other big-name pro athletes: Gretzky has his own restaurant, clothing line, wine and whisky brands, to name a few of his off-ice forays into the world of business.

"The game itself has been so good to me, and the National Hockey League. Everything I have in my life is because of hockey and I've gotten opportunities to travel around the world and meet some wonderful people," he said.

On Oct. 15, he released a book with hockey author Kirstie McLellan Day, titled 99: Stories of the Game, which explores the brightest moments in NHL history over the past 99 years from Gretzky's perspective.

The idea for the book coincided with an old book report Gretzky had to do for school as a kid. He admits he was just an "OK student." Like many of his peers at the time, he says he was more concerned with playing lacrosse, baseball or hockey, and school was more about getting a passing grade.

"I had one good book report and report card. I did a book report on Gordie Howe. I remember thinking recently, 'You know, I'd like to just do a history book on the game itself, and the teams and players.'"

'Always fun playing in Winnipeg'

He's excited to again have an active role in the Edmonton Oilers' family, where he led a dynasty to four Stanley Cup Championship wins. Last week, Gretzky was named partner and vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group.

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As for the week ahead, Gretzky said it will be good to revisit some of his old memories of Winnipeg.

He's looking forward to taking in the Heritage Classic with former NHLers. As for the legends game, he doesn't have much of a stake in the outcome.

"I hope it's a tie," he said. "I know it's going to be exciting. People in Winnipeg are huge hockey fans. 

"I'm just praying … I hope it's not as cold at this outdoor game in Winnipeg as when I was there for the Grey Cup in [1991] when it was 40 below."