Ahead of his time Throughout his life, Wayne Gretzky was always ahead of his time and playing with bigger boys. After barely a season of junior hockey, the skinny 17-year-old from Brantford, Ontario, jumped to the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association. He would only play eight games there before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. When Edmonton joined the NHL with three other WHA teams the next season, the Oilers wisely protected their biggest investment.

Wayne Gretzky, 17, began his pro career with the Indianapolis Racers in 1978.

Back to Hall of Fame index