• in 1978, the World Hockey Association (WHA) was in completion with NHL and since the NHL doesn't sign players under 20, Gretzky was signed on June 12, 1978 at age 17.
• first professional goal with the Racers against Dave Dryden of the Edmonton Oilers.
• was in 1979 WHA All-star game
• on Gretzkys 18th birthday, pocklington signed him and finished third in the league scoring 110 points and captured the Lou Kaplan Trophy as rookie of the year.
• this was Gretzkys only year in WHA because the league folded.