From the archives: The Wayne Gretzky doll looks to score
7 years ago
Duration 1:33
On Jan. 12, 1983 a Great One doll was on toy store shelves, but was it an all-star seller?
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Wayne Gretzky didn't get benched too often, but 35 years ago he was boxed and shelved as a doll by Barbie maker Mattel.
Selling for $15.95, Gretzky came complete with an Oilers jersey, stick, skates and gloves.
The Wayne Gretzky doll on a store shelf in 1983. (CBC)
Local toy stores were hopeful the doll would score with customers. However, the miniature Great One wasn't exactly a breakaway hit.
"We got them in about the middle of December and so far we've sold a fair amount of them not quite as much as I thought we would sell," one toy store owner said.
The doll was not the only toy with Gretzky's name on it. Wayne Gretzky's Rocket Hockey, a table-top hockey game, was also on shelves.
Barbie had new competition in the toy market. (CBC)
Now, the Wayne Gretzky doll is available secondhand from eBay and Kijiji.
As for the Gretzky name on products, No. 99 now has a line of wine and whisky.
In the video, CBC's Doug Harrison takes a detailed look at the Wayne Gretzky doll and imagines the reaction from Barbie's beau Ken.
John Zazula is an associate producer at CBC and has been with the Corp. for more than 15 years. As a lifelong Edmontonian, John brings that experience to the job.
