![Remember Bill McCreary? This is what happened to the rookie that knocked out Gretzky in only his second NHL game Remember Bill McCreary? This is what happened to the rookie that knocked out Gretzky in only his second NHL game](https://cdn-sport.newsner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/01142213/BillMcCreary.jpg)
Remember Bill McCreary? This is what happened to the rookie that knocked out Gretzky in only his second NHL game
![Longtime NHL referee Bill McCreary built Hall of Fame career on consistency | National Sports | pentictonherald.ca Longtime NHL referee Bill McCreary built Hall of Fame career on consistency | National Sports | pentictonherald.ca](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/pentictonherald.ca/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/9e/09e443a9-4e2b-553c-883d-118086a33d1b/54626b511f1d2.image.jpg)
Longtime NHL referee Bill McCreary built Hall of Fame career on consistency | National Sports | pentictonherald.ca
![March 12, 2011; San Jose, CA, USA; NHL referee Bill McCreary (7) during the first period at HP Pavilion. New York defeated San Jose 3-2 in shootouts Stock Photo - Alamy March 12, 2011; San Jose, CA, USA; NHL referee Bill McCreary (7) during the first period at HP Pavilion. New York defeated San Jose 3-2 in shootouts Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/H7KGAW/march-12-2011-san-jose-ca-usa-nhl-referee-bill-mccreary-7-during-the-H7KGAW.jpg)
March 12, 2011; San Jose, CA, USA; NHL referee Bill McCreary (7) during the first period at HP Pavilion. New York defeated San Jose 3-2 in shootouts Stock Photo - Alamy
![NHL on X: "2,000 NHL games later, Bill McCreary becomes 16th on-ice official inducted in @HockeyHallFame. http://t.co/nhw3gtjNET http://t.co/H4OSO9uvRc" / X NHL on X: "2,000 NHL games later, Bill McCreary becomes 16th on-ice official inducted in @HockeyHallFame. http://t.co/nhw3gtjNET http://t.co/H4OSO9uvRc" / X](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2lNeznIgAAjugw.jpg)
NHL on X: "2,000 NHL games later, Bill McCreary becomes 16th on-ice official inducted in @HockeyHallFame. http://t.co/nhw3gtjNET http://t.co/H4OSO9uvRc" / X
![Meet the rookie who 'crushed' Wayne Gretzky (though he'd rather be remembered 'for something more exciting') - The Athletic Meet the rookie who 'crushed' Wayne Gretzky (though he'd rather be remembered 'for something more exciting') - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/10/14185301/Bill-McCreary-Maple-Leafs-scaled-e1634252019637.jpg)