Walter Gretzky with the Brantford 99ers at their home opener Thursday night – in the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. (Mike Mackley/Brantford 99ers photo)

The Brantford 99ers had hockey royalty in the house at their Ontario Junior Hockey League home opener Thursday.

A guy from just around the corner.

Hometown icon Walter Gretzky dropped the puck on the 99ers’ 2019-20 season in the arena named for his son, Wayne. For the team named for his son.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012, the 80-year-old Walter still volunteers diligently with community organizations in Brantford.

Walter is immortalized outside of the 99ers’ home rink

Installed in 2013 in front of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, “The Great One,” by artist Brad Oldham is a tribute not only to Wayne Gretzky, but to his supportive and loving parents.

The installation features a 12-foot bronze statue of Wayne hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head in his Edmonton Oilers jersey. Facing him are three other life-sized figures depicting his parents, Walter and Phyllis, with a young Wayne standing between them. They’re facing the adult version of Wayne with pride and admiration.

For more on Walter’s work in Brantford, check out the documentary series Wally’s World: www.cbc.ca/shortdocs/shorts/wallys-world-episode-1

-with files from CBC and Metroland