Jan. 12, 1983: Look out Barbie, here comes Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky didn't get benched too often, but 35 years ago he was boxed and shelved as a doll by Barbie maker Mattel.

Selling for $15.95, Gretzky came complete with an Oilers jersey, stick, skates and gloves.

Local toy stores were hopeful the doll would score with customers. However, the miniature Great One wasn't exactly a breakaway hit.

"We got them in about the middle of December and so far we've sold a fair amount of them not quite as much as I thought we would sell," one toy store owner said.

The doll was not the only toy with Gretzky's name on it.Wayne Gretzky's Rocket Hockey, a table-top hockey game,was also on shelves.

Now, the Wayne Gretzky doll is available secondhand from eBay and Kijiji.

As for the Gretzky name on products, No. 99 now has a line of wine and whisky.

In the video,CBC's Doug Harrison takes a detailed look at the Wayne Gretzky doll and imagines the reaction from Barbie's beau Ken.