Gretzky enjoys private skate at Maple Leaf Gardens Wayne Gretzky is lacing up his skates again. However, The Great One won't be joining the other NHL All-Stars this weekend. Gretzky and a few friends are going for a private skate at Maple Leaf Gardens, courtesy of Leafs president Ken Dryden. Gretzky said it will be the first time he has put on skates since he retired last April. Asked if he wished he could play in this Sunday's All-Star contest, the league's 50th, Gretzky acknowledged that missing the game weighed heavily on his mind when he contemplated retirement. "As much as I am going to miss not playing this weekend, I'm going to enjoy it as a fan," he told the audience of 1,900 at the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction on Wednesday night. The dinner raised $725,000 for Easter Seals, a charity that helps children with physical disabilities.