The 1979 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 13, 1979. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's new teams for the 1979-80 season: the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets. These four teams had joined the NHL after the folding of their league, the World Hockey Association. June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... The 1979-80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. ... The Quebec Nordiques (pronounced ; translated into English as Northmen or Northerners) were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ... The Winnipeg Jets were an ice hockey franchise that existed in both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League. ... The modernized NHL shield logo debuted in 2005, replacing the orange and black shield, which had been used since the leagues inception. ... World Hockey Association logo The World Hockey Association (French: Association Mondiale de Hockey) was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. ...

As many WHA players also had their rights held by NHL teams, those NHL teams were allowed to reclaim their players. In order to keep the NHL teams from plundering all the talent from the WHA-turned-NHL teams, each incoming franchise was allowed to protect up to two goaltenders and two skaters. These were designated as "priority selections" in the Expansion Draft.

Rules

Reclaiming of Players: The 17 existing NHL teams were allowed to reclaim any rights to former WHA players they held. The four incoming franchises, however, were allowed to protect up to two goaltenders and two skaters, voiding their NHL rights. These players were considered "priority selections" in the expansion draft. Numerous deals were cut by the incoming teams to retain some of their players. For instance, Quebec retained star forward Real Cloutier by trading a first round draft choice to the Chicago Black Hawks, which held Cloutier's rights; that pick was used to select perennial superstar Denis Savard. Real Cloutier (born July 20, 1956 in St. ... The Chicago Blackhawks are a National Hockey League team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Denis Savard on the Chicago Blackhawks. ...

Wayne Gretzky was a special case as, although no team held his NHL rights, under existing rules he would have been removed from the Oilers and placed into the NHL Entry Draft. After deliberation, the Oilers were allowed to keep Gretzky as one of their priority selections, and were forced to choose last in each round of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft as further compensation. Gordie Howe was a second special case, as a gentlemen's agreement between the Hartford Whalers and the Detroit Red Wings, which held his rights, led to the Wings declining to reclaim Howe. Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. ... The 1979 NHL Entry Draft took place on August 9, 1979 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. ... Gordon Gordie Howe, OC (Born March 31, 1928 in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada) was a Canadian Hockey player in the National Hockey League who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers. ... The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. ... The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

Expansion Draft: Each of the 17 existing NHL teams were allowed to protect 15 skaters and two veteran goalies.

Reclaimed Players

These are players whose NHL rights were reclaimed when the WHA merged with the NHL. This list is incomplete.

Centre in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is down the centre of the area. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Vancouver Canucks are a professional National Hockey League (NHL) ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ... Robert Marvin Hull, born January 3, 1939 in Pointe Anne (near Belleville), Ontario, Canada, is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Winnipeg Jets were an ice hockey franchise that existed in both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League. ... The Chicago Blackhawks are a National Hockey League team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Rod Cory Langway (born May 3, 1957 in Taipei, Taiwan) is a former American professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL), elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. ... The Birmingham Bulls were a hockey team based out of Birmingham, Alabama that played in the World Hockey Association. ... Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The Cincinnati Stingers were a hockey team based out of Cincinnati that played in the World Hockey Association. ... Rick Ley (born November 2, 1948 in Orillia, Ontario) was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA). ... The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Mike Liut (born January 7, 1956 in Weston, Ontario) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. ... Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The St. ... George Wallace Lyle (born on November 24, 1953 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a former professional ice hockey player. ... The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The New York Rangers (NYR) are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

Expansion Draft Results

Priority selecions

These players were "priority selections" in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft.

¹ The NHL denied the Oilers' claim of Bengt Gustafsson. The Capitals' rights to Gustafsson were granted instead. David Dryden (born September 5, 1941 in Hamilton, Ontario) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. ... Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. ... Centre in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is down the centre of the area. ... Bengt-Ã…ke Gustafsson, born March 23, 1958 in Karlskoga, Sweden. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Eddie Mio was a professional ice hockey goaltender in the WHA a nd NHL and is currently Director of Player Development for the Phoenix Coyotes. ... The Minnesota North Stars were a team in the National Hockey League between 1967 and 1993. ... Forward is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily offence. ... The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. ... The St. ... Mark Howe (born May 28, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan) is a former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Paul Baxter (Born Oct 28, 1955 in Winnepeg, Manitoba) was an National Hockey League defenseman from 79 to 87 and an NHL assistant coach for eleven seasons. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins is a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... The Quebec Nordiques (pronounced ; translated into English as Northmen or Northerners) were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. ... Scott Campbell (born June 22, 1957 in Galt, Ontario) was an ice hockey defenseman who was drafted first overall by the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft. ... The Winnipeg Jets were an ice hockey franchise that existed in both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League. ... Morris Lukowich was a member of the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association (W.H.A) and the National Hockey League (N.H.L) from 1976 to 1987. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins is a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... Markus Mattsson was one of the first goalies in the NHL from Finland. ...

These are players selected in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft. The players were not chosen in this particular order. This list is incomplete.

Edmonton Oilers selections

Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The Minnesota North Stars were a team in the National Hockey League between 1967 and 1993. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... Doug Robert Favell (born April 5, 1945 in St. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Leo Fogolin (born February 15, 1955) in Chicago, Illinois, was a defenceman in the National Hockey League. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... Pat Price (born March 24, 1955 in Nelson, British Columbia) is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 726 NHL games over the course of his career. ... The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. ... Colin Campbell (b. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins is a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Centre in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is down the centre of the area. ... The St. ... John Gould (born January 15, 1947 in Alliston, Ontario) is a former professional ice hockey player who played 504 NHL games for the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Flames. ... The Atlanta Flames were a National Hockey League (NHL) team based in Atlanta, Georgia from 1972 to 1980. ... The Chicago Blackhawks are a National Hockey League team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Tom Edur (b. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

Hartford Whalers selections

Rick Ley (born November 2, 1948 in Orillia, Ontario) was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA). ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The New York Rangers (NYR) are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Allan Eugene Sims was a professional hockey player and later a head coach in the NHL. Born in Toronto, Ontario on April 18, 1953, he stands 6 foot tall and his playing weight was 182 pounds. ... The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Centre in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is down the centre of the area. ... The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Atlanta Flames were a National Hockey League (NHL) team based in Atlanta, Georgia from 1972 to 1980. ... The Chicago Blackhawks are a National Hockey League team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Forward is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily offence. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... Nick Beverley (born April 21, 1947 in Toronto, Ontario) is a former hockey player in the NHL and former head coach in the NHL and AHL. He played for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, and Colorado Rockies. ... Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The Vancouver Canucks are a professional National Hockey League (NHL) ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ...

Quebec Nordiques selections

Forward is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily offence. ... The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Quebec Nordiques (pronounced ; translated into English as Northmen or Northerners) were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... Ron Albert Low (born June 21, 1950 in Birtle, Manitoba) is a former Canadian ice hockey player. ... Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The St. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The New York Rangers (NYR) are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. ... Pierre Plante (born May 14, 1951 in Valleyfield, Quebec) was a professional ice hockey player who played 599 NHL games, most notably for the St. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Minnesota North Stars were a team in the National Hockey League between 1967 and 1993. ... The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Centre in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is down the centre of the area. ... The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Alain Cote was born in Matane, Quebec on 3 May 1957. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Lars Zetterstrom was born November 6,1953 in Stockholm,Sweden. ... The Vancouver Canucks are a professional National Hockey League (NHL) ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ...

Winnipeg Jets selections

Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins is a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... The Winnipeg Jets were an ice hockey franchise that existed in both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League. ... Patrick Roy, an ice hockey goaltender The goaltender, or goalie, in ice hockey is a player who defends the goal net from shots. ... The New York Rangers (NYR) are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Robert Marvin Hull, born January 3, 1939 in Pointe Anne (near Belleville), Ontario, Canada, is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. ... The Chicago Blackhawks are a National Hockey League team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The Minnesota North Stars were a team in the National Hockey League between 1967 and 1993. ... The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Forward is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily offence. ... The St. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... This is a list of ice hockey players who have only played one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1917-18 to 1999-00. ... William Riley (born September 20, 1950 in Amherst, Nova Scotia) is a retired Canadian ice hockey player, and was the third black player in the National Hockey League. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia Played major junior hockey for the Flin Flon Bombers Drafted to the NHL by the St. ... The Atlanta Flames were a National Hockey League (NHL) team based in Atlanta, Georgia from 1972 to 1980. ... Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. ... The Vancouver Canucks are a professional National Hockey League (NHL) ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ...

See also

• 1978-79 WHA season
• 1979 NHL Entry Draft
• 1979-80 NHL season

World Hockey Association logo The 1978-79 WHA season was the seventh and last regular season of the now defunct World Hockey Association (WHA). ... The 1979 NHL Entry Draft took place on August 9, 1979 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. ... The 1979-80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. ...

References

• Hartford/New England Whalers All-Time Roster
• WHA Oilers Page - 1979 Expansion Draft (webarchive.org 11/29/2003)
• Washington Capitals History 1979-1980
• St. Louis Blues Team Records
• Foundation Begins with Goaltending by Al Morganti @ ESPN.com