Sept. 2026
Wendy Schneider

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky recently reposted a video tribute to his former elementary school teacher, Dennis Nash, highlighting the lasting impact of a teacher who helped change his attitude toward school.

Gretzky recalled that Nash was the first teacher to let him write a book report on his hockey hero, Gordie Howe. The assignment earned Gretzky an “A” and, he said, “kind of changed my whole life in school.”

After reconnecting with Nash by phone, Gretzky thanked him not only as a teacher but as a mentor. For Nash, a convert to Judaism, the moment was an opportunity to reflect on the Jewish values that shaped his approach to education.

“I came with Jewish values when I started teaching,” Nash said. “That’s all I want to get out there.”