By the time he was a teenager, Gretzky was making waves across Canada with his play. He was selected third in the 1977 Ontario Major Junior Hockey League Midget draft, and displayed his impressive skills that season for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. read more
When the WHA/NHL merger (officially termed an NHL expansion) was finally approved in March, 1979, each WHA team was allowed to claim two players from their WHA roster. Gretzky was the obvious choice of Edmonton, and thus he moved to the NHL without ever being drafted. read more
Wayne Gretzky nickname is the “Great One” , that should give you an idea of his historical importance to the sport of hockey. He found his way into the NHL after his professional contract with his first (WHA) team was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, so he was never really “drafted” into the NHL. read more
Wayne Gretzky. Rising superstar Wayne Gretzky had played for the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA's final season. As per the terms of the NHL-WHA merger, Gretzky was to have become eligible for the 1979 draft due to the lowering of the draft age. However, Gretzky had a personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. read more