Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: All Ron Francis
Previous entry: Afternoon Line
Gretzky, Pocklington and a Game of Backgammon
by Alanah McGinley on 08/08/08 at 11:03 AM ET
Comments (1)
From Evan Weiner at NHL.com,
The NHL was allegedly interested in moving one of its financially failing teams there in the mid 1970s, and Edmonton was very receptive to either getting a failed team or being part of an NHL-WHA merger.
Skalbania gave Oilers owner Peter Pocklington a chance to add a Canadian icon, Gretzky, which figured to bolster the Oilers’ chances of getting into the NHL. There were two catches. Skalbania offered Gretzky’s services to both Pocklington’s Oilers and to the Winnipeg ownership group and “the Gretzky sweepstakes” would involve a game of backgammon. [...]
Over the years, some people have said that Skalbania really did set down those parameters and others have said the “bet” was just a fable. But there is one man who said the trade really happened over a backgammon board.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: indianapolis+racers, peter+pocklington, wayne+gretzky, wha,
Comments
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Video- Kari Lehtonen With The Save Of The Night
The New Trade Deadline Strategy
The NHL Gets The 2013 Winter Classic Location Wrong
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Make extra cash while playing online poker. Rakeback is free and comes with rake races.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
I still can’t believe my Jets passed on Gretzky. Hawerchuk and Gretzky together? It may have been the Jets with the Dynasty and not the Oilers. Edmonton was the only team that stood between the Jets and greatness. Stupid Gretzky…lol
Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 08/08/08 at 12:06 PM ET