By TY PILSON, Calgary Sun

The Great One's dad credits lacrosse, in part, for helping his son to become the NHL's all-time leading scorer. Walter Gretzky, who was on hand last night at the 'Dome for the ceremonial face-off before the Calgary Roughnecks National Lacrosse League tilt against the Arizona Sting, said the game of lacrosse had a big influence on his boy.

"It sure helped Wayne," said Walter of his son's involvement in the sport during the summer months. "Because in lacrosse, you learn how to fake and he used those same fakes, or moves, in hockey. It sure helped him, no doubt about that.

"Knowing the different moves, dropping his shoulder and such like you have to do in lacrosse ..., really helped him."

Walter was on hand as a favour to one of the Roughnecks owners, Bruce Pat, a family friend.

He was also eager to watch the Sting play, a team partly owned by his son. Wayne, along with others from the Phoenix Coyotes' ownership group, bought the Columbus Landsharks in the offseason and moved them to Arizona where they play out of the newly opened Glendale Arena.

Much like former Flames Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts, Wayne grew up playing lacrosse in the hotbed of Ontario.

Walter even coached Wayne for a few seasons.

"I think he played until he was 15," recalled Walter. "And then he was playing junior hockey and he couldn't anymore. He had to make a choice."

Walter said he's glad the sport of lacrosse is finally getting more mainstream exposure.

"It's one of the oldest sports in the Canada but it's not one of the biggest sports (in popularity)," said Walter. "But it sure is a great sport, a lot of fun to watch."