1978–79 Indianapolis Racers season
Encyclopedia
The 1978–79 Indianapolis Racers season was the Racers' final season in the World Hockey Association
(WHA). The team folded after only 25 games.
, the owner of Indianapolis Racers
, signed the 17 year old future super-star, Wayne Gretzky
to, at that time, a whopping personal contract worth between 1.125 and 1.75 million dollars over 4 to 7 years. Skalbania, knowing that the WHA was fading, felt owning the young star was more valuable than owning a WHA team.
's professional career. The Racers' management knew that the team was going to fold
due to poor attendance, and sold Gretzky to the Edmonton Oilers
after eight games. Skalbania needed cash and liquidated his greatest asset to his old friend and former partner, Peter Pocklington
, owner of the Edmonton Oilers
. Pocklington purchased Gretzky and two other Indianapolis players, goaltender Eddie Mio
and forward Peter Driscoll
paying $700,000 for the contracts of the three players, although the announced price was actually $850,000.
Goaltending
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
(WHA). The team folded after only 25 games.
Offseason
Nelson SkalbaniaNelson Skalbania
Nelson M. Skalbania is a Canadian businessman from Vancouver, British Columbia best known for signing a 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky to the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association....
, the owner of Indianapolis Racers
Indianapolis Racers
The Indianapolis Racers were a franchise in the former World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1978. They competed in five seasons, folding 25 games into the 1978–79 season. They played at Market Square Arena...
, signed the 17 year old future super-star, Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
to, at that time, a whopping personal contract worth between 1.125 and 1.75 million dollars over 4 to 7 years. Skalbania, knowing that the WHA was fading, felt owning the young star was more valuable than owning a WHA team.
Regular season
This was the first season of Wayne GretzkyWayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
's professional career. The Racers' management knew that the team was going to fold
due to poor attendance, and sold Gretzky to the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
after eight games. Skalbania needed cash and liquidated his greatest asset to his old friend and former partner, Peter Pocklington
Peter Pocklington
Peter Hugh Pocklington is a Canadian entrepreneur.He made his initial fortune as the owner of one of the largest auto dealerships in Canada, and later took over a meat packing company involved in a high-profile labour strike....
, owner of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Pocklington purchased Gretzky and two other Indianapolis players, goaltender Eddie Mio
Eddie Mio
Edward Dario Mio was a professional ice hockey goaltender in the WHA and NHL. During his career, he played for the Indianapolis Racers, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings...
and forward Peter Driscoll
Peter Driscoll
Peter Driscoll is a former professional ice hockey left wing in the WHA and NHL.Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft and the Vancouver Blazers in the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft, Driscoll signed with the Blazers, moving to Calgary with them when they relocated.After the...
paying $700,000 for the contracts of the three players, although the announced price was actually $850,000.
Game log
| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L | October 14, 1978 | 3–6 | Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
0–1–0 |
| 2 | L | October 15, 1978 | 3–9 | Birmingham Bulls Birmingham Bulls The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being... (1978–79 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season The 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season was the Bulls' final season of operation in the World Hockey Association .-Game log:... ) |
0–2–0 |
| 3 | W | October 18, 1978 | 4–0 | @ Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... (1978–79 1978–79 Quebec Nordiques season The 1978–79 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques' seventh season in the WHA, were coming off of a 40-37-3 record in the 1977–78 season and a loss in the playoff semi-finals... ) |
1–2–0 |
| 4 | L | October 20, 1978 | 3–4 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... (1978–79 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season The 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' seventh season of operation. The Oilers placed first and made it to the Avco Cup Final, losing to the Winnipeg Jets.-Game log:-Player stats:... ) |
1–3–0 |
| 5 | L | October 22, 1978 | 3–6 | New England Whalers (1978–79 1978–79 New England Whalers season -Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
1–4–0 |
| 6 | L | October 27, 1978 | 2–4 | @ Birmingham Bulls Birmingham Bulls The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being... (1978–79 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season The 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season was the Bulls' final season of operation in the World Hockey Association .-Game log:... ) |
1–5–0 |
| 7 | W | October 28, 1978 | 3–2 | Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
2–5–0 |
| 8 | T | October 29, 1978 | 3–3 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
2–5–1 |
| 9 | L | November 3, 1978 | 3–6 | @ New England Whalers (1978–79 1978–79 New England Whalers season -Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
2–6–1 |
| 10 | T | November 4, 1978 | 6–6 | New England Whalers (1978–79 1978–79 New England Whalers season -Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
2–6–2 |
| 11 | L | November 5, 1978 | 2–6 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
2–7–2 |
| 12 | L | November 8, 1978 | 0–4 | @ Cincinnati Stingers Cincinnati Stingers The Cincinnati Stingers was an ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that played in the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1979. Its home arena was Riverfront Coliseum and it was the only major-league hockey team ever to play in Cincinnati.-History:The Stingers franchise was awarded in... (1978–79 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season The 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season was the Stingers' last season of operation in the World Hockey Association.-Game log:... ) |
2–8–2 |
| 13 | L | November 11, 1978 | 2–8 | @ Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... (1978–79 1978–79 Quebec Nordiques season The 1978–79 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques' seventh season in the WHA, were coming off of a 40-37-3 record in the 1977–78 season and a loss in the playoff semi-finals... ) |
2–9–2 |
| 14 | L | November 17, 1978 | 1–6 | @ Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... (1978–79 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season The 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' seventh season of operation. The Oilers placed first and made it to the Avco Cup Final, losing to the Winnipeg Jets.-Game log:-Player stats:... ) |
2–10–2 |
| 15 | L | November 19, 1978 | 2–5 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
2–11–2 |
| 16 | L | November 23, 1978 | 1–5 | Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
2–12–2 |
| 17 | L | November 24, 1978 | 5–8 | @ Cincinnati Stingers Cincinnati Stingers The Cincinnati Stingers was an ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that played in the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1979. Its home arena was Riverfront Coliseum and it was the only major-league hockey team ever to play in Cincinnati.-History:The Stingers franchise was awarded in... (1978–79 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season The 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season was the Stingers' last season of operation in the World Hockey Association.-Game log:... ) |
2–13–2 |
| 18 | W | November 25, 1978 | 6–3 | Cincinnati Stingers Cincinnati Stingers The Cincinnati Stingers was an ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that played in the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1979. Its home arena was Riverfront Coliseum and it was the only major-league hockey team ever to play in Cincinnati.-History:The Stingers franchise was awarded in... (1978–79 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season The 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season was the Stingers' last season of operation in the World Hockey Association.-Game log:... ) |
3–13–2 |
| 19 | L | November 28, 1978 | 2–8 | @ Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... (1978–79 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season The 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' seventh season of operation. The Oilers placed first and made it to the Avco Cup Final, losing to the Winnipeg Jets.-Game log:-Player stats:... ) |
3–14–2 |
| 20 | W | December 1, 1978 | 6–3 | Birmingham Bulls Birmingham Bulls The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being... (1978–79 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season The 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season was the Bulls' final season of operation in the World Hockey Association .-Game log:... ) |
4–14–2 |
| 21 | L | December 2, 1978 | 2–4 | @ Birmingham Bulls Birmingham Bulls The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being... (1978–79 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season The 1978–79 Birmingham Bulls season was the Bulls' final season of operation in the World Hockey Association .-Game log:... ) |
4–15–2 |
| 22 | L | December 3, 1978 | 2–4 | Cincinnati Stingers Cincinnati Stingers The Cincinnati Stingers was an ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that played in the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1979. Its home arena was Riverfront Coliseum and it was the only major-league hockey team ever to play in Cincinnati.-History:The Stingers franchise was awarded in... (1978–79 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season The 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers season was the Stingers' last season of operation in the World Hockey Association.-Game log:... ) |
4–16–2 |
| 23 | L | December 7, 1978 | 4–9 | Winnipeg Jets (1978–79 1978–79 Winnipeg Jets season 1978-79 was the final year of the World Hockey Association before the league folded.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-External links:... ) |
4–17–2 |
| 24 | W | December 10, 1978 | 6–4 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... (1978–79 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season The 1978–79 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' seventh season of operation. The Oilers placed first and made it to the Avco Cup Final, losing to the Winnipeg Jets.-Game log:-Player stats:... ) |
5–17–2 |
| 25 | L | December 12, 1978 | 4–7 | New England Whalers (1978–79 1978–79 New England Whalers season -Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
5–18–2 |
Regular season
Scoring| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 25 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 16 | |||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| RW | 25 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 39 | |||||
| 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| C | 13 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 14 | |||||
| 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| LW | 13 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| C | 22 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 4 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| C | 17 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 0 | |||||
| 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| RW | 22 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
| D/LW | 10 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 29 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 15 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 25 | |||||
| 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 25 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LW | 21 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 64 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| RW | 25 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 20 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 25 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 22 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 22 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 48 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| LW | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 23 | |||||
| 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| C | 17 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 | |||||
| 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| C | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 22 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| LW | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| C | 18 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |||||
| 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| LW | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| LW | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 124 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| LW | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| D | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| G | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| C | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| G | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| G | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goaltending
| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 609 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 51 | 5.02 | 0 | |
| 242 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 3.22 | 1 | |
| 664 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 61 | 5.51 | 0 | |
| Team: | 1515 | 25 | 5 | 18 | 2 | 125 | 4.95 | 1 |
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;