This week in 1978 (June 10), the World Hockey Association’s Indianapolis Racers signed Wayne Gretzky to a personal services contract — the first pro deal he would sign.

The deal was for seven-years and would pay Gretzky $1.75-million.

Racers owner Nelson Skalbania gave Gretzky a nice $50,000 bonus for signing the deal, but it wouldn’t last long. Skalbania was forced to liquidate some assets in the form of players, and longtime friend and Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington stepped into the fray.

He purchased Gretzky, Eddie Mio and Peter Driscoll paying a reporters $825,000 for the trio on November 2, 1978.

“Maybe Nelson should have left me here in June,” laughed Gretzky after the sale.

And, well, we all know what happened next. Gretzky amassed 110 points in 80 games in the WHA that year and the following season, the Oilers and their new face of the franchise left for the NHL.

He amassed 1669 points in 696 games with the Oilers and has gone down as the best player to ever play in the NHL.

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