The all-time classic sitcom The Simpsons will now play host to the greatest NHL player ever, Wayne Gretzky.

According to Sportsnet’s Dave Zarum, Wayne Gretzky will play a part in one of the shows upcoming episodes. The episode is set to air on December 4th at 7:30 PM MT. 

The Simpsons have had their fair share of run-ins with famous athletes over the years featuring stars from the soccer pitch, as well as former MLB and NFL stars. 

Magic Johnson, Michelle Kwan, Darryl Strawberry, Joe Namath, Ronaldo, Peyton Manning, Clubber Lang and my personal favourite, Tom Brady. 

Sportsnet did an excellent job in collecting some of the producers and writers favourite athletes that aired on the show.

Prior to the great one being aired, there has only been one other hockey player reference in the shows storied 27-year tenure. Gordie Howe’s face was included in the episode Bart the Lover. Trying to help his teacher find love, Bart finds a picture of Howe and sends it off to Edna.

“I’m a Calgary native and consequent Oiler-hater,” said producer Joel Cohen, “so 99 and I had a lot to talk about, and even more to trash-talk about — Semenko, Fuhr, Steve Smith bouncing the puck off Fuhr. Through it all, he was as classy and generous as you hope an icon can be. It was almost enough for me to forgive him for repeatedly demolishing my Flames’ playoff hopes. Not quite, but almost.”

My hope is that Wayne Gretzky plays a big role in the episode. Maybe he can teach Homer to play hockey or to not miss 100% of the shots he doesn’t take.