has anyone read much on it or seen the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary? obviously a pretty famous event in Canadia and America, like, but i hadn't heard about it. fucking staggering stuff. one of the most enjoyable sports documentaries i've seen.

bit of background for the hockey n00bs like myself - best player in the world at the time (and ever), playing in a shit-hot team, local and national hero, gets sold to a cash-rich but pretty rubbish team in LA, ran by a fraudster, for shitloads of money, locals never really recover. guess it'd sort of be like Barca selling Messi to Malaga or something, idk.

really interesting hearing Gretzky speak. both at the time and when talking about it in hindsight, hard to tell whether he really wanted the move or not, or whether he was being pushed into it by his wife or even his dad. seems the contract situation could've been easily resolved with a bit of give and take on either side, even bearing in mind the Oilers financial troubles.

i suspect he enjoyed the trappings, and it sounds like the move had a hugely positive impact on the sport in America, but there's a real sadness in his eyes throughout, idk. probably fair enough to say that as much as he kept up a great personal level after the move, he could and should have won more Stanley Cups had he stayed.

obviously i'm not a big hockey fan, so apologies for waffling a bit here, like. it's here anyway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-80TnTnrRA

has there ever been more mental transfer or trade in world sport?