It was the deal that shocked the hockey world and left an entire country in tears.
On August 9, 1988, the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky—the face of the NHL and arguably the greatest player in hockey history—to the Los Angeles Kings. The trade came just months after Gretzky led the Oilers to their fourth Stanley Cup in five years, and at only 27 years old, he was still in his prime. Yet, Oilers owner Peter Pocklington, facing financial pressure, orchestrated a deal that prioritized money over legacy.
The Oilers received $15 million, Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, and three first-round draft picks in return. Along with Gretzky, the Kings also acquired Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski.
The fallout was immediate and fierce. Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney even commented on the trade, and fans staged protests in Edmonton. The press labeled Pocklington a traitor, and Gretzky himself, through tears, admitted the move wasn’t fully his decision. “I promised Mess [Mark Messier] I wouldn’t do this,” he said during a now-famous press conference, voice shaking.
The impact was seismic. Gretzky made hockey cool in California, increasing U.S. NHL interest and paving the way for new American franchises in the ’90s. Meanwhile, Edmonton was never the same. Although they won one more Cup in 1990, the dynasty was over. The greatest player in NHL history had been sold—and the entire hockey world felt the aftershocks.
