Wayne Gretzky

On August 9, 1988, a day that changed the game, Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers to the lowly Los Angeles Kings.  The trade changed the fortunes of the Kings, was a driving force for National Hockey League expansion into the 'Sun Belt’, and generated extensive growth of the game at the grassroots level in “non-traditional” hockey markets.  

To commemorate the anniversary, The NHL Network will highlight its "Wayne Gretzky Week" programming by presenting a one-hour special that features exclusive interviews with Gretzky, former Oilers owner Peter Pocklington and former Kings’ owner Bruce McNall, among others, at 9 p.m., ET, on Wednesday, August 6. A VNR of the interview with Gretzky will be provided Tuesday.

NHL Communications also has prepared a comprehensive media information package that will be available Tuesday on media.NHL.com. On Monday, NHL.com will provide an extensive package of stories pertaining to the landmark trade.

NHL NETWORK SCHEDULE FOR GRETZKY WEEK
(All Times Eastern)

Wednesday, (Aug. 6)

9:00 A Day That Changed The Game: August 9, 1988 – One-hour documentary chronicling the Gretzky trade.  Features interviews with Wayne Gretzky, Peter Pocklington and Bruce McNall

10:00 Red Wings @ Kings from October 6, 1988 – Gretzky’s first Kings game in Los Angeles.

Thursday, (Aug. 7)

9:00 – Frozen In Time: Wayne Gretzky Trade

9:30 – Top 10 Wayne Gretzky Moments

10:00 – Kings @ Oilers from October 19, 1988 – Gretzky’s first game as a visitor in Edmonton

Friday, (Aug. 8)

9:00 – Top 10 Wayne Gretzky Moments

9:30 – NHL Cool Shots: Extended Play – Wayne Gretzky

10:00 – Kings @ Oilers from October 15, 1989 – Gretzky breaks Gordie Howe’s career points record

Saturday, (Aug. 9)

7:00 – Kings @ Maple Leafs from May 29, 1993 – Gretzky’s Game 7 Hat Trick propels LA into the Stanley Cup Final

9:00 – A Day That Changed The Game: August 9, 1988

10:00 – Canucks @ Kings from March 23, 1994 – Gretzky becomes the NHL’s all-time goal scoring leader