"I Promised Mess I Wouldn't Do This"

August 9, 1988 is a day that will live forever in hockey history. It could be said that it was the day when hockey went from being a game to a business - a business that saw one of Canada's most celebrated athletes traded for a few good players and a dump truck full of cash. Today is the day that Edmonton and Canada saw Wayne Gretzky sold to the Los Angeles Kings. 26 years and three Stanley Cup parades in California later, and we might truly say that August 9, 1988 was the day that hockey was born in California.

In looking back on today's date to find "The Trade" highlighted on this day, here's a fun video that I think everyone should see because of how revered and celebrated Gretzky is.

The narrator's baritone voice makes this video seem like an investigative documentary. The video, though, is pretty exhaustive in its information, and shows how Wayne Gretzky became on of the biggest icons in Los Angeles after he had been traded there. Of course, he was a pretty big deal before being traded there as well, but why ruin a good story with details, right?

August 9, 1988 will always go down as one of the most important days in hockey history!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!