• He played for the Edmonton Oilers from 1979-1988.
• after the WHA folded the oilers and three other teams joined the NHL.
• Gretzky wasn't put into the 1979 NHL entry draft because his personal contract prevented it.

• he carried over his success and in his first season he was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the League's Most Valuable Player (1st of 8 in a row) and tied for the scoring lead with Marcel Dionne with 137 points.
• youngest player to score 50 points but wasn't eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
• second season won the Art Ross (1st of 7 consecutive) then—record 164 points.
• won second straight Hart Trophy