Published 12/25/2022, 12:45 PM EST
Wayne Gretzky’s trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the LA Kings has to be one of the biggest trades in sports history. Notably, back in his playing days, Wayne Gretzky himself meant hockey. Such was the impact he had on the game. Although even The Great One was not happy with the trade at first, his emotions changed when he saw the impact of his trade, especially when Hollywood stars like Sylvester Stallone and Tom Cruise started showing up for NHL games.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
On one hand, it was the saddest thing for the Oilers, while on the other hand, it became the turning point for the Kings.
The trade that changed the course of the game
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Ever since that trade, hockey has never been the same for Americans. Gretzky wasn’t the only one who was traded that day. Along with him came the defenseman Marty McSolery and the center Mike Krushelnyski. In return, Jimmy Carson, the center, and Martin Gelinas went to Edmonton Oilers.
Gretzky was brought in to rebrand the image of the sport in L.A. The owner of the Kings went on record to say, “I’ve got to do something to sell hockey in L.A., and there’s no name in hockey like Wayne Gretzky.” Before Gretzky, NBA overpowered the market in Los Angeles. The lack of craze among the fans made the NHL players feel like outsiders in their home ground.
“Even on the road in some random city, we were treated like some rock band coming to town,” said Tom Laidlaw, Kings’ defenseman, in 1988. However, bringing in Gretzky proved to be a move worth the risk. The Great One soon became the face of the sport. His popularity at the time was such that Laidlaw said, “Wherever Gretzky was is where hockey was.”
Gretzky reignited people’s interest in the sport. Since then, the game has been slowly but steadily growing till date. Laidlaw further added that the presence of stars like Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise, Michael J. Fox, etc. at the games helped boost the popularity of the sport.
The Oilers fans tried to stop the Wayne Gretzky deal!
‘Upset’ wouldn’t be the right term to define how the Oilers’ fans felt when they heard about the trade. Rather, they were enraged. The fans went to extreme lengths to try to stop the trade. They threatened to cancel their tickets for the season and withdraw their support for the team forever.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Bildnummer: 03380464 Datum: 22.01.1996 Copyright: imago/UPI Photo
Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) – PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY (NYP96012203); Vneg, hoch NHL 1995/1996, LA, L A Eishockey Herren Mannschaft USA Einzelbild Aktion Personen
Some even went as far as demanding the government to interfere and stop the transaction. They tried all they could to keep Gretzky with a Canadian team. Even Gretzky’s wife, Janet Jones, took some of the burns for it. Some fans blamed her for being the reason Gretzky agreed to be traded.
Watch Story: From Joe DiMaggio to Wayne Gretzky- Most Outstanding Statistical Accomplishments in Us Sporting History
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
However, regardless of the resistance, the deal still went through. Decades later, it remains to be one of the most talked about events in NHL history.
Do you think Gretzky’s trade did any good to the sport? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
“Treated Like Some Rock Band”: Wayne Gretzky’s Controversial Trade and Stars Like Sylvester Stallone and Tom Cruise Proved to Be a Turning Point for L.A. Kings in 1988
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer