Gretzky shares advice with top prospects for 2020 Draft

When Wayne Gretzky retired after the 1998-99 season, his 20th in the NHL, he was the League leader in goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857), records that stand to this day.

So who would be better than Gretzky to give advice to some of the top prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft?

The Hockey Hall of Fame center sat down for a "#HockeyAtHome" video call last week with forward prospects Alexis Lafreniere, Quinton Byfield and Tim Stuetzle, and defensemen prospects Jamie Drysdale and Jake Sanderson to talk about the draft, hockey, and life before taking a moment to share some of his wisdom.

"My advice to you is embrace every moment of it," Gretzky said. "It's the greatest game in world. To play in the National Hockey League is a thrill, it's a pleasure, and it's an honor. And when you think you've worked hard, you work that much harder because there's nothing like being an NHL player. And if you get that early on in your mind how great the game is and everything that goes with it -- the practices, the travel, the media -- you'll embrace it that much quicker."

The draft, which was originally scheduled to be held at Bell Centre in Montreal on June 26-27, has yet to be rescheduled after being postponed on March 25 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

RELATED: [More 2020 NHL Draft coverage]

Lafreniere, who had 112 points (35 goals, 77 assists) in 52 games with Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's ranking of North American skaters. Stuetzle, a forward with Mannheim of Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Germany's top professional league, is the No. 1 ranked International skater.

Byfield, Drysdale and Sanderson are ranked Nos. 2, 3 and 4, respectively, among North American skaters.

"Everybody who loves the sport knows how great of a game it is," Gretzky said. "And I suspect all five of you are going to go on and have great careers and your families will be very proud, not only your mom and dad, but your grandparents and youth coaches."

The full episode of "#HockeyAtHome" premieres Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN, SN, NHL.com and the NHL Facebook, IGTV and YouTube platforms.