What did Wayne Gretzky eat before every game? The surprising ritual of The Great One

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

Throughout his prolific career, Wayne Gretzky ate a full steak and baked potato meal every day at 12:30 PM, a rigid and specific routine he learned from his father. This was just one part of the quirky and unusual diet that reveals what did Wayne Gretzky eat before every game.

Quick Summary

The legendary Wayne Gretzky followed a highly specific, old-school pre-game diet of steak, a baked potato, and vanilla ice cream. This routine also included less traditional snacks like hot dogs and Diet Coke consumed during periods.

Key Points

Consistent Meal: Gretzky's pre-game meal was a strict, daily ritual consisting of steak, a baked potato, corn, chicken noodle soup, salad, and vanilla ice cream.
Early Routine: He ate his full meal every day at 12:30 PM, a routine taught by his father that he followed from a young age.
Battle with Keenan: In 1987, Gretzky famously clashed with coach Mike Keenan over a new pasta diet, demanding his steak and potato be served instead.
Intermission Snacks: During games, Gretzky often fueled up on hot dogs (sometimes four), Diet Coke, and Snickers bars.
Specific Beverage Ritual: His intermission routine included drinking a Diet Coke, followed by ice water, Gatorade, and another Diet Coke, in that exact sequence.
Power of Superstition: His success highlights how deeply ingrained rituals and psychological comfort can be more impactful for certain athletes than modern nutritional science.

The Main Course: Steak, Potato, and Ice Cream

Wayne Gretzky maintained a consistent pregame meal ritual throughout his career, eating at exactly 12:30 PM daily. This routine, a departure from modern athletic nutrition, centered around steak and a baked potato, a tradition taught by his father, Walter Gretzky, when Wayne was just seven. The full meal included:

Steak
Baked potato
Corn on the cob
Chicken noodle soup
Side salad
Vanilla ice cream for dessert

Though heavy by today's standards, this meal was a crucial mental preparation tool for Gretzky, providing a sense of consistency and readiness.

A Battle of Diets: Gretzky vs. Keenan

Gretzky's dietary resolve was famously tested during the 1987 Canada Cup when coach Mike Keenan tried to implement a chicken and pasta meal. Gretzky, however, insisted on his steak and baked potato, declaring, "I don't play without baked potato and steak". Team Canada accommodated his request, and the Oilers players on the team followed his lead. The team went on to win gold, validating the significance of Gretzky's ritual.

Intermission Fuel: Hot Dogs and Diet Coke

Beyond his main meal, Gretzky's in-game fueling habits were equally unconventional. His intermission beverage ritual involved a precise order: Diet Coke, ice water, Gatorade, and then another Diet Coke. This provided a caffeine and sugar boost. He also admitted to eating hot dogs, sometimes up to four with mustard and onions, and keeping chocolate bars like Snickers for quick energy. These methods were his personal solutions for staying energized before the era of modern sports supplements.

Comparing Eras: Gretzky's Diet vs. Today's Athletes

Gretzky's approach contrasts sharply with the scientifically designed diets of today's athletes:


Aspect	Wayne Gretzky's Diet	Modern NHL Player's Diet
Consistency	Highly superstitious and consistent, regardless of nutritional value.	Based on scientific research and tailored to individual needs.
Timing	Rigidly timed meal at 12:30 PM, regardless of game time.	Strategically timed to maximize energy and avoid sluggishness.
Meal Composition	Heavy meal with steak, baked potato, and ice cream.	Lighter, complex carbohydrates and lean protein (e.g., grilled chicken and pasta).
In-Game Fuel	Hot dogs, Diet Coke, Snickers bars.	High-tech sports drinks, energy gels, and targeted supplements.
Dessert	Standard part of the pregame meal (vanilla ice cream).	Avoids processed sugars and focuses on nutrient-dense foods.

The Power of Ritual Over Nutrition

Gretzky's success, despite a diet that modern nutritionists would question, underscores the psychological impact of rituals in elite sports. His consistent habits provided familiarity and a mental trigger for performance, fueling his confidence and sense of normalcy amidst the pressures of professional hockey.

Gretzky's Pregame Ritual: A Summary

Wayne Gretzky's fueling strategy was characterized by simple, unshakeable habits, including his precisely timed pregame lunch and specific in-game beverage ritual. His ability to perform at such a high level with these seemingly counterintuitive methods highlights his talent and the psychological power of superstition, a practice still seen in modern players like Sidney Crosby.

Conclusion: The Great One's Simple Recipe for Success

Wayne Gretzky's unique pregame diet is a famous example of an athletic ritual. What he ate before every game, while not a conventional diet, was his personal recipe for success, blending superstition with comfort foods. This demonstrated that for a player of his caliber, the mental boost of a consistent routine was as vital as nutritional advantages. It offers a fascinating glimpse into a legend who succeeded by trusting his own unconventional process.

The NHL has its own official website documenting the league's history and stars.

The Psychology of Gretzky's Diet

Gretzky's dietary choices were driven by psychology and comfort. The routine, established with his father, offered familiarity and control, helping him manage pressure. The simple, repeatable meal allowed him to focus on the game. In-game hot dogs and Diet Coke served as a quick, familiar ritual for energy and a mental reset.

The Impact on His Team

Gretzky's insistence on his meal during the 1987 Canada Cup influenced his teammates, demonstrating that personal rituals and team dynamic were important. This act likely strengthened team morale and contributed to their victory, showing how personal quirks can impact team culture.

Legacy of the Gretzky Diet

While his diet isn't a nutritional model, Gretzky's approach is a charming historical footnote, showing an era where personal habits were as important as science. It provides a relatable detail about a legendary athlete, proving that simple, quirky habits can be memorable.

The Myth of the Four Hot Dogs

The story of Gretzky eating four hot dogs is a popular anecdote, though his in-game snacking varied and wasn't always hot dogs. This ritual symbolized his unpretentious approach to fueling.

The Time Factor

Gretzky's adherence to his 12:30 PM lunch, regardless of game time, emphasizes the ritualistic nature of his habits. The psychological timing was more crucial than physiological timing in his gameday preparation.

The Diet Coke and the Energy Boost

Before modern energy drinks, Gretzky used Diet Coke for caffeine and sugar. His specific beverage order provided a predictable energy surge and mental focus during games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wayne Gretzky's consistent pregame meal consisted of steak, a baked potato, corn, chicken noodle soup, salad, and vanilla ice cream for dessert, which he ate every day at 12:30 PM.

Between periods, Wayne Gretzky had a specific beverage ritual: he would drink a Diet Coke, then ice water, followed by a Gatorade, and finally, another Diet Coke.

Yes, Wayne Gretzky sometimes ate hot dogs, sometimes up to four, with mustard and onions between periods for an energy boost, along with Diet Coke.

In 1987, coach Mike Keenan tried to switch the team to a healthier pasta and chicken meal. Gretzky famously insisted on his traditional steak and baked potato, telling Keenan he wouldn't play without it, and his demands were met.

By modern standards, Gretzky's diet was heavy and not considered optimal for an athlete due to its high fat and sugar content. However, for Gretzky, the ritual and psychological comfort were paramount.

Wayne Gretzky's father, Walter, taught him the specific routine of eating steak and a baked potato before games when he was just seven years old, a habit he carried throughout his career.

While his main pregame meal was constant, Gretzky sometimes opted for different snacks depending on the city, such as pizza in Chicago or hot dogs in Quebec City.