HONORING THE GREAT ONE GRETZKY'S JERSEY NOW HANGS AT STAPLES; STATUE UNVEILED.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

As the well-told story goes, an undersized child named Wayne Gretzky tucked in the right side of his hockey jersey, because it was too big and impacted the way he shot the puck. Now Gretzky's jersey, like his legend, looms larger than life over Staples Center.

The Kings showed the ultimate respect to ``The Great One'' on Wednesday night when, in an inevitable but long-overdue gesture, they hung a replica of his famous No. 99 high above the north side of the arena that his success in Los Angeles helped construct.

``After three years of operation and 18 months to build, Staples Center is finally complete,'' Kings president Tim Leiweke said before introducing the unveiling of a statue in Gretzky's likeness outside the entrance on 11th Street.

In a 30-minute ceremony before the Kings opened the season against Phoenix, Gretzky, his former teammates and coaches, and the Los Angeles fans formed a mutual-admiration society, as the crowd roared for Gretzky and former Kings such as Kelly Hrudey, Jari Kurri and Luc Robitaille.

Gretzky, true to form, remained humble as he thanked those who turned out to honor him, as well as his wife, Janet, their four children and, of course, the fans.

``Especially those of you up top,'' Gretzky said, pointing to the upper reaches of Staples Center, which roared approval. ``When I came here in 1988, I never thought that we would have a day like this, believe me.''

Gretzky retired after the 1998-99 season and had his number retired by the Edmonton Oilers at the beginning of the next season, but it took three more years for the Kings and Gretzky to agree on the proper time to honor him.

The issue, Gretzky admitted this year, was the attendance of former team owner Bruce McNall, who spent time in prison for fraud. Gretzky didn't want the ceremony to take place without McNall, who was on the ice Wednesday and drew a mixed reaction.

``He was the person who brought me to L.A., he was the person who made me a L.A. King, and I'm glad he's here,'' Gretzky said.

``Each person has their own opinion, and I can't change their thoughts or opinions. That's why my grandfather fought in World War I, so we could have freedom of speech. ... Bruce paid his punishment and served his time and life goes forward. We're not all perfect.''

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who drew a rousing negative ovation, also honored Gretzky by saying, ``On behalf of your league and your fans, Wayne, we thank you for being the greatest.''

Gretzky played eight seasons in Los Angeles, and as a King he set many of the 61 league records he holds, including most career goals, assists and points. He went on to play for the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, and finished with 894 goals and 1,963 assists in 1,487 games.

Moreover, many attribute Gretzky's arrival in Los Angeles in December 1988 to a period of unparalleled growth in the NHL.

``I think he realizes his impact on the league and on fans,'' said Kings broadcaster Bob Miller, entering his 30th year with the team, ``and I think his coming to play for a team in the United States enabled the NHL to get the big corporate sponsors that they were unable to get before because it was a regionalized game.

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Photo:

Wayne Gretzky holds his son, Tristan, while standing next to his father, Walter, as NHL commisssioner Gary Bettman addresses the crowd before Wenesday night's game at Staples Center.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer