Peter Pocklington (b. November 18, 1943 in London, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian business owner who has dabbled in politics. While he made his fortune in the meat packing industry, he is best known as the owner of the Edmonton Oilers and, as such, brought Wayne Gretzky to the team. They won five Stanley Cups from 1984-1990. Pocklington is however best remembered as the man who sold hockey icon and Canadian hero Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings.

Business Controversy

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Pocklington has also been a controversial business owner moving to bust unions and reduce the wages of his employees. The most infamous incident took place during a 1986 strike at Gainers Foods in Edmonton where striking workers attacked police who were attempting to protect buses carrying scabs. Pocklington's use of replacement workers marked the beginning of his remarkable unpopularity in Alberta, especially with organized labour. Although the strike was eventually settled, Gainers never recovered and was eventually placed in receivership.

"The Trade"

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On August 9, 1988, Pocklington shocked hockey fans by trading Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993. "The Trade" so upset Canadians one lawmaker demanded the government block it, a mob burned Pocklington in effigy, and Gretzky's bride, actress Janet Jones, was branded hockey's Yoko Ono.

There is debate as to whether Gretzky "jumped" or was "pushed." A book by former Kings owner Bruce McNall quotes Pocklington as saying Gretzky had become impossible to deal since he began dating Janet, who let it be known that she was not going to live in Edmonton after they got married. Pocklington claims he's had only nice things to say about the couple, yet admitted The Trade was a business decision he wouldn't hesitate to make again. Still, "Peter Puck" is widely despised throughout Canada to this day.

Other Sports

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He is also well known for his involvement in other sports. He was long time owner of the Pacific Coast League's Edmonton Trappers. He also owned soccer teams such as the Edmonton Drillers in the North American Soccer League, Edmonton Brickmen of the Canadian Soccer League, and a later reincarnation of the Drillers in the National Professional Soccer League. In a sense which might be a credit to him, none of these teams remained in Edmonton long-term after his departure from ownership.

Politics

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Pocklington ran as a candidate at the 1983 Progressive Conservative leadership convention finishing sixth. His main policy proposal was the replacement of progressive income tax with a flat tax.

External link

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• Official Site

1943 births | Canadian sports businesspeople | Living people | National Hockey League executives | Ontario sportspeople | Stanley Cup champions | Londoners (Ontario)