Game recognizes game.

The Dallas Stars have many great players. Mikko Rantanen, Jake Oettinger, Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Thomas Harley are all above-average performers for the Texas-based team.

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One youngster who deserves to be on that list is Wyatt Johnston.

Johnston has been steadily improving since entering the NHL full-time. Over three seasons, he has gone from 41 points to 65 points and then to 71 points in 2024-25.

His greatness has caught the eye of The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky.

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In a behind-the-scenes video, Gretzky congratulated several members of the Stars team, including Johnston. 

“You’re such a good player,” Gretzky says to Johnston. “They (Edmonton Oilers) didn’t draft you, they picked another player before you and I always give him s—.”

In this scenario, he is Keith Gretzky, a Edmonton Oilers management group member. He has been with the organization for many years and is one of two younger brothers (the third Gretzky brother being Brent).

Oilers Selected Xavier Bourgault Instead Of Wyatt Johnston

Infamously, in the 2021 NHL entry draft the Oilers held the 20th overall selection. Then they traded with the Minnesota Wild to move down two spots, and the Wild would select Jesper Wallstedt at 20. 

With the 22nd overall pick, Ken Holland’s Oilers selected Xavier Bourgault from the QMJHL. Then the Stars scooped up Johnston at 23rd overall.

Given the trajectory of all these players, it would be difficult for Wayne not to give Keith flak for the obvious blunder they committed at the 2021 draft.

For the Stars’ sake, perhaps Johnston will be a key player in the Stars sending the Oilers to the fairways early.

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