Quote of the Day by Canadian Ice Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don't take’

Quote of the Day by Canadian Ice Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don't take’

Koushik Paul
Updated2 Apr 2026, 12:21 AM IST
Wayne Gretzky is a former ice hockey player and a coach from Canada.
Wayne Gretzky is a former ice hockey player and a coach from Canada.

In life we often don't risk ourselves at what we mostly do. Former Canadian ice hockey star Wayne Gretzky's ‘Quote of the Day’ - “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take” - simply changes the mindsets of how people think about risks, opportunity and fear. Not on Gretzky's words speak about the ambition, but it also calls for courage and the necessity of trying.

Beyond the ice rink, the quote has travelled far into the locker rooms of the most famous athletes in the world, to seminars, classrooms, and many more. Time and again Gretzky's quote reminds us that unless we at least try, success will only be a dream as the fear of failure only guarantees failure.

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The meaning of Gretzky's quote is pretty straightforward. In hockey, be it on ice or field, a shot on a goal creates an opportunity of at least scoring. Unless you take the shot, you are nothing but a failure. Not only hockey, the quote also applies to football where the winning team is viewed on the number of goals they have scored.

Not just sports, Gretzky's quote applies to out everyday life also. Whether its leaving your comfort zone and challenge yourself with something new, or applying for a job or starting a new business, unless you take that big leap, it won't open the door for you. Although the line doesn't promise success, but it creates a difference between regret and achievement.

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Who is Wayne Gretzky? All you need to know

Born in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky is one of the legends of National Hockey League (NHL). He played for Canada and later coached the national team. Nicknamed as 'Great One', Gretzky is the leading career point scorer and assist producer in the history of NHL.

In fact, Gretzky is the only NHL player to score 200 points in a single season. Not once but four times. He retired from the game in 1999 with 61 NHL records - 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and six All-Star records.

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Wayne Gretzky's net worth

Reported by TOI, Gretzky's net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth, is estimated to be over $96 million in salary and endorsements. His NHL salary peaked in 1990s when he was with New York Rangers at $6.5 million per year, based on a Spotrac report. As of February 2026, the TOI reported that Gretzky’s total net worth is estimated to be around of $250 million.

About the Author

Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.

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