gretzky was a star junior player with the sault ste. marie greyhounds of the ontario hockey league. when he was a boy he went from a bad first season, to great improvement. but this success also brought criticism because his father pushed gretzky's success over other young players'. in 1978, when he was 17, he began playing as a professional with the indianapolis racers of the world hockey association (wha), but was sold to the edmonton oilers after only a few games. he was third in wha scoring and rookie of the year.