 The WHA 's last triumph was to lure junior prodigy Wayne Gretzky to their league in 1978 – 79 . Nelson Skalbania , owner of the Indianapolis Racers and part owner of the Edmonton Oilers , was convinced to sign Gretzky to play for the Racers . The 17 @-@ year @-@ old Gretzky scored 110 points in his first professional season , split between the Racers and the Oilers . 
