Becki Moss and Wayne Gretzky stand as exceptional figures who transformed their respective domains through distinctive approaches that set new standards of excellence.
Moss, a talented New Zealand photographer, has built her reputation on creating intimate visual narratives of overlooked communities, while Gretzky, widely considered hockey’s greatest player, revolutionized the sport through his extraordinary game intelligence rather than physical dominance. Though operating in completely different worlds, both individuals have changed how we understand achievement in their fields and created lasting legacies that continue to grow today.
Becki Moss: Telling Stories Through Photography
From Science Student to Respected Photographer
Becki Moss has become one of New Zealand’s most recognized photographers. Her work stands out because she connects with her subjects on a human level before taking photos, which helps her capture truly honest moments.
Moss didn’t start out planning to be a photographer. She studied science at the University of Auckland, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Psychology from 2014 to 2017. Photography, which she began at age 14, was initially just a hobby. She decided to take a break from her academic studies to try professional photography for a year. This temporary break turned into a career change when she realized that her background in science and her own experiences with chronic illness gave her a special viewpoint as a photographer.
Learning and Growing as a Photographer
Moss taught herself photography basics through YouTube videos, advice from friends, and online photography communities. Her early work included wedding photography, which she did for seven years while in university. This experience taught her valuable skills in capturing emotional moments and working with people during meaningful life events.
She sees her cameras as tools that open doors to places and communities she might not otherwise access. This approach shows how she views photography not just as a technical skill but as a way to build bridges between different groups of people. Her psychology education has likely helped her understand human behavior and emotions, though she says her photography style comes more from intuition than scientific knowledge.
Key Projects and Recognition
One of Moss’s most important works is “Queer Portraits of Auckland,” an ongoing series showing Auckland’s LGBTQ+ community. These photos, described as “raw, vulnerable and strong,” aim to help subjects “feel beautiful and powerful” while also creating visibility for a community that has often been pushed to the margins. Showing this work during Auckland Pride was an important step in Moss’s career and added to broader conversations about representation in New Zealand society.
Another focus of Moss’s work has been invisible chronic illnesses, something she knows firsthand as she lives with chronic kidney disease, endometriosis, and ongoing pain. This project shows how she uses her own life experiences to create work that connects with others facing similar challenges while also teaching the public about conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked. Beyond photography, she has become an advocate for people with invisible disabilities, using her platform to raise awareness.
Moss has received significant recognition, including being named the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year. She was also included in YWCA’s Y25 for 2020, a list that highlights 25 young New Zealand women under 25 who are making an impact in their fields. At just 26 years old, Moss has built an impressive body of work that suggests a bright future ahead.
Wayne Gretzky: Changing Hockey Forever
The Greatest Hockey Player Ever
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, is widely seen as the greatest ice hockey player of all time. His 20-season NHL career earned him the nickname “The Great One,” and his influence goes far beyond his playing days.
Gretzky’s numbers tell an amazing story: he remains the all-time leader in goals, assists, and total points in NHL history, with more career assists than any other player has total points. When he retired in 1999, he held 61 NHL records: 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 All-Star records. Many of these records still stand today, 24 seasons after his retirement.
Family Background
Gretzky comes from a mixed Eastern European background. His family roots trace back to Belarus, specifically the Brest region, from where his paternal grandfather emigrated. His grandmother was Ukrainian, coming from what is now the Ternopil region. This heritage shaped his upbringing, with his father Walter considering Ukrainian his native language. Gretzky grew up with four siblings: Kim, Kate, Brent, and Glenn.
Professional Journey
Gretzky’s professional career began when he was just 17 years old, signing with the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1978. After only eight games, he was sold to the Edmonton Oilers. When the WHA folded and the Oilers joined the NHL in 1979, Gretzky’s true hockey dominance began.
With the Oilers, Gretzky led the team to four Stanley Cup championships in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. What made his playing style special wasn’t size or strength – it was his hockey intelligence, stamina, and ability to read the game. He became known for setting up behind his opponent’s net, an area nicknamed “Gretzky’s office” because he created so many scoring chances from there. His vision allowed him to know where the puck would be and make the right moves at exactly the right time.
Gretzky’s trade to the Los Angeles Kings on August 9, 1988, changed not only his career but also hockey in America. His move to Los Angeles helped make hockey popular in California and the southwestern United States. After his time with the Kings, he briefly played for the St. Louis Blues before finishing his career with the New York Rangers, retiring in 1999.
Life After Playing Hockey
After retiring as a player, Gretzky stayed involved with hockey in many roles. He was immediately added to the Hockey Hall of Fame, with the usual waiting period waived because of his huge contributions to the sport. The NHL also retired his jersey number 99 league-wide – the only number with this honor – ensuring no NHL player would ever wear that number again.
Gretzky has worked as a coach, executive, team owner, and broadcaster since his playing days ended. He was the executive director for the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where the team won its first gold medal in 50 years. He later served in the same role for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
In business, Gretzky became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000 and later served as head coach from 2005 to 2009. More recently, he joined the Edmonton Oilers as a partner and vice-chairman in 2016, though he left this role in May 2021 to join Turner Sports as a hockey analyst. This move to broadcasting has brought his knowledge and insights to a new generation of hockey fans.
Personal Qualities and Legacy
What made Gretzky special wasn’t just his physical abilities but his approach to the game. When asked about his success, he typically answers with modesty: “I was in the right city, with the right fans, the right teammates, the right coach, the right era. If it had been today, maybe it wouldn’t be the same.” This humble attitude masks the extraordinary talent and work ethic that helped him dominate hockey for two decades.
Gretzky’s impact on hockey extends far beyond his playing career. He helped grow the sport’s popularity, especially in places where hockey wasn’t traditionally popular. His achievements raised the NHL’s profile worldwide, and his records continue to inspire current and future players. The fact that many of his records remain unbroken decades after his retirement shows just how incredible his accomplishments were.
Beyond sports, Gretzky has become a cultural icon in Canada and internationally. He has used his fame for various charitable efforts and continues to serve as an ambassador for hockey. His work as a broadcaster allows him to share his knowledge and love for the game with new fans, ensuring his legacy continues to grow even decades after his last professional game.
What We Can Learn From Both
Becki Moss and Wayne Gretzky represent excellence in completely different fields. Moss, through her thoughtful photography, has created visibility for overlooked communities and turned personal challenges into artistic expression and advocacy. Gretzky, through his unmatched hockey skills, changed his sport and built a legacy that continues to influence athletes and fans worldwide.
What connects these two different people is their ability to turn potential limits into strengths. Moss has used her own experiences with chronic illness to create compassionate photos of others facing similar challenges. Gretzky overcame his physical limitations through intelligence and vision, developing a style of play that changed hockey forever. Both have used their success to support causes they believe in and to create opportunities for others in their fields.
As Moss continues to develop her photography and Gretzky takes on new roles in hockey, their impact continues to grow. Their stories show us that excellence can come from different backgrounds, approaches, and circumstances when paired with passion, perseverance, and willingness to create new paths within established traditions.
