• in the draft of the Ontario Hockey League, he was the third pick, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

• Wayne stayed with a local family and played a season with the greyhounds.
• started wearing #99 on his jersey.
• originally wanted to wear #9 because of his hero—Gordie Howe—but someone else was wearing it.
• at 16, he won the OMJHL Rookie of the year and most sportsmanlike awards.