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The shocking trade

Broadcast Date: Aug. 9, 1988

The hockey world is in a state of disbelief as Wayne Gretzky bids a tearful farewell to the city that adopted him through his incomparable 10-year career. As heard in this CBC Radio clip, Canadians, particularly Edmontonians, are stunned by the news that owner Peter Pocklington has traded Canada's greatest hockey player to the Los Angles Kings. Pocklington has done the unthinkable by robbing Edmonton and Canada of the game's greatest champion. In what is the biggest trade in sports history, 27-year-old Gretzky is L.A. bound.

Number 99 is traded to the Kings along with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley in return for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas and the Kings' first round draft picks for 1989, 1991 and 1993. The deal also comes with a price tag of $20 million. Hockey commentators Don Cherry and Roy McGregor tell the CBC's Mary Lou Finlay that the trade is a loss for Gretzky, for Edmonton and for all of Canada.

The shocking trade

• During Gretzky's emotional press conference, Oilers owner Peter Pocklington maintained Number 99's tearful farewell was just an act. "I thought he pulled it off beautifully when he showed how upset he was," Pocklington told a Los Angeles Times reporter. "He wants the big dream. Wayne believes he can revive hockey in the United States or make it a sport to be watched by millions more. Wayne has an ego the size of Manhattan."

• Many blamed Gretzky's new bride Janet Jones for the trade, calling her "Jezebel Janet," who forced Gretzky to ask for the move. Jones was compared to Yoko Ono, who stole John Lennon from his adoring fans. Eddie Mio finally set the record straight to CBC's The Journal, saying it was Oilers owner Pocklington who initiated the trade. And that it was also Pocklington's idea to make it seem like the trade was Gretzky's idea. Pocklington vehemently denied it.

• Gretzky's trade to the L.A. Kings has been credited for the rising popularity of hockey among Americans. On Oct. 15, 1989, wearing a Kings jersey, Gretzky broke his hockey hero Gordie Howe's all-time points record of 1,850. Gretzky eventually retired with 2,857 points. In 1993, Gretzky took the Kings to the Stanley Cup finals but they lost four games to one against the Montreal Canadiens.

• The L.A. Kings traded Gretzky to the St. Louis Blues in February 1996. Gretzky played there for just two and a half months before joining the New York Rangers. He retired as a Ranger in 1999.
• Gretzky hung up his skates on April 18, 1999. Upon Gretzky's retirement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman bestowed on "the Great One" the unique distinction of being the only player in NHL history to have his number retired by all member clubs. It meant that no NHL player would ever wear the number 99 again.

• Seven months after Gretzky's retirement, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada. On Nov. 22, 1999, Gretzky became the 10th and final player in Hockey Hall of Fame history to have the three-year mandatory waiting period waived.

• Gretzky holds 61 NHL records, including most career goals, assists and points. He led his league in goals five times, points 11 times and assists 16 times. He won four Stanley Cups. He holds the single-season record for goals, assists and points. He won the Hart Trophy (awarded to the most valuable player)an unprecedented eight years in a row.
• In 1998, Gretzky competed for Canada at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Canada placed fourth.

• Gretzky was a crucial part of the 1984 and 1987 Team Canada squads. Team Canada led by Gretzky won the Canada Cup in 1987. It was described by many as the greatest hockey tournament. Gretzky was in top form during that tournament. I don't think you'll ever see better hockey than what was played in that series," said Gretzky. "For me, it was probably the best hockey I've ever played."

• Gretzky was the executive director of Team Canada's Olympic hockey team in 2002. He was responsible for assembling Canada's best ice hockey players for the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Under Gretzky, Team Canada went on to win the gold medal; the first time in 50 years.

• Gretzky was part of the first-ever outdoor NHL game held at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Nov. 22, 2003. Gretzky played in the Heritage Classic alumni game that pitted former Edmonton Oilers against former Montreal Canadiens. He led the Oilers alongside Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri and Mark Messier to a 2-0 victory over the former Habs stars including Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Guy Lapointe, Claude Lemieux and Larry Robinson.

• Gretzky broke his long-standing policy of not playing in old-timers games to participate in the outdoor game in Edmonton. But he declared that it would be his last.

The shocking trade

Medium: Radio

Program: As It Happens

Broadcast Date: Aug. 9, 1988

Guest(s): Don Cherry, Roy MacGregor

Host: Mary Lou Finlay, Alan Maitland

Duration: 14:54

Photo: Ray Giguere/Canadian Press

Last updated:
March 25, 2009