He was the ultimate Canadian hockey dad. He built backyard rinks, nurtured the Great One Number 99 and was a fixture at Toronto Maple Leaf home games for years.

Wayne’s dad Walter has died.

Wayne Gretzky issued a statement last night announcing his father’s passing, noting Walter had battled Parkinson’s disease and other health issues the past few years.

Walter was a fixture at Leaf games in his later years, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Walter Gretzky was 82.