That time the Great One almost became a Winnipeg Jet!
Gretzky, who was known as the Great One, had a legendary career with the Edmonton Oilers. His trade to the Los Angeles Kings was one of the defining moments of modern sports history.
However, he had a chance to play for Bobby Hull's former WHA team, the Winnipeg Jets, even before he arrived in Edmonton.
Did you know that Wayne Gretzky was very close to becoming a Winnipeg Jet? Here's how it could have happened: Nelson Skalbania was the maverick owner of the Indianapolis Pacers. The team was not doing well at the box office...
He played for the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA, a team that was losing box office and had to cut payroll.
As Gretzky, Peter Driscoll, and Eddie Mio's futures were at stake, they were aboard Nelson Skalabania's private plane.
In consultation with his agent, Skalbania asked Gretzky whether he wanted to go to Edmonton or Winnipeg before boarding the plane. Gretzky chose Edmonton on the advice of his agent.
As reported, Gretzky, Mio, and Driscoll were all purchased for $850,000, when in fact it was $700,000. The team folded shortly afterward.
With four Stanley Cups under Gretzky's belt, the Oilers would achieve unprecedented heights in the NHL, break record after record.
| POLL | ||
Did you know that Wayne Gretzky almost went to Winnipeg? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 58.7 % |
| No | 19 | 41.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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