{allcanada} Nov. 2: Wayne Gretzky becomes member of Oilers

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Nov. 2

1978: After eight games with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association, 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky becomes a member of the Edmonton Oilers.

With Indianapolis struggling financially, owner Nelson Skalbania sells Gretzky, goaltender Eddie Mio and forward Peter Driscoll to Edmonton. Gretzky finishes the season with 46 goals and 110 points and is named the last WHA Rookie of the Year.

When the Oilers are among the four teams absorbed by the NHL from the WHA during the summer of 1979, they are able to retain Gretzky, who becomes the cornerstone of their 1980s dynasty.

 

MORE MOMENTS

 

1937: The second benefit All-Star Game in NHL history is held at the Montreal Forum, with the proceeds going to the family of longtime star Howie Morenz. A crowd of 8,683 watches the NHL All-Stars win 6-5 against a combined team of Canadiens and Montreal Maroons.

 

1968: The "new" Montreal Forum is reopened after an extensive remodeling job. The Canadiens celebrate by defeating the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. Jean Beliveau scores the first goal in the rebuilt Forum at 4:38 of the first period.

 

1969: Gordie Howe gets the 19th (and final) hat trick of his NHL career, helping the Red Wings defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. At age 41, Howe becomes the oldest player in League history to score three or more goals in a game.

 

1975: Two days after being put on waivers by the New York Rangers, goaltender Ed Giacomin returns to Madison Square Garden as a member of the Red Wings. The Garden crowd serenades him with chants of ""Ed-die" throughout the game, which ends as a 6-4 Detroit victory thanks to 42 saves by Giacomin.

 

1977: Cleveland Barons center Dennis Maruk becomes the fourth player in NHL history to score four or more goals in a game and account for all of his team's offense. Maruk scores four times in a 4-4 tie against the St. Louis Blues at Richfield Coliseum.

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