Wayne Gretzky was never selected in an official National Hockey League Entry Draft because he began his major professional career playing in the rival World Hockey Association before the two leagues officially merged. As an extraordinary hockey prodigy dominating junior competition at an exceptionally young age, Gretzky signed a lucrative personal contract with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA before he reached the age standard required for traditional NHL entry drafts. When the WHA subsequently folded and absorbed four franchises into the NHL ahead of the 1979-80 season, Gretzky's contract was transferred directly to the Edmonton Oilers. Because he was already legally bound to an active professional roster through his prior WHA agreement rather than rising through standard amateur draft channels, he bypassed the traditional draft process entirely and entered the NHL as an established young superstar ready to rewrite the record books.