“I didn’t think it make a lot of sense that an 18-year-old with a handicap was standing all day, taking a bus to work in 40-below weather. I remember thinking there must be something we can do to make his life easier and more comfortable. That’s when I went to Glen with the idea.”
And just like that, Moss was in. The chemistry was almost instant.
“In some ways, I was surprised how quickly he fit in,” said Gretzky, adding everyone set the tone from the start that this wasn’t charity, that Moss would have to pull his weight and do things the Oilers way.
“Glen didn’t treat him as a child who was working in our locker-room with a handicap. If something was out of place, I remember Glen yelling at Joe and Joe would jump up and do what needed to get done.
“He fit in right from the get go. Everyone treated him with a great deal of respect. We loved having him around. It was as simple as that.”
It had to be intimidating for a mentally challenged kid to walk into an NHL dressing room and be part of a regimented process where everything must run smoothly, but Moss never flinched. He didn’t have any reason to. All any team asks is that you can do the job and fit in with the guys.
Moss, of course, was a natural at both.
“The only way it wasn’t going to work was if he didn’t fit in,” said Gretzky. “He was comfortable, he knew his responsibilities. And he was genuinely excited to come to work every single day.
“It worked out from Day 1 that he was great for us and I like to think that we were great for him. He was never out of place. We treated him like everyone else in the locker-room. If we were teasing Barrie Stafford or Lyle, we’d tease Joey, and he loved being part of that.
Source:- Edmonton Sun
