Eddie Mio

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mio's time with the Indianapolis Racers was marked by rough play but defined by a singular, career-altering moment: meeting his lifelong friend, Wayne Gretzky. Shortly after their meeting, Mio was included in a pivotal trade on November 2, 1978, that sent Gretzky and Peter Driscoll to the Edmonton Oilers. When the Oilers joined the NHL for the 1979–80 season, Mio became part of the young, highly talented lineup featuring Gretzky, Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe, Glenn Anderson, and Paul Coffey. He recorded his first winning season in 1980–81 before being traded to the New York Rangers, where he backstopped the team for two seasons. His professional journey concluded with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1985–86 campaign.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Mio's career is deeply intertwined with the rise of Wayne Gretzky. After establishing himself as a standout at Colorado College, where he made the NCAA West first all-American team two years in a row, Mio navigated the minor leagues with the Tidewater Sharks, Erie Blades, and Hampton Gulls. His arrival at the Indianapolis Racers set the stage for history; it was there he met Gretzky. The subsequent trade on November 2, 1978, moved both players to Edmonton, where Mio helped anchor the goaltending for a roster that would become legendary. In New York, he provided stability for two seasons before finishing his career in Detroit, showcasing resilience and adaptability across three major franchises over nearly a decade of professional play.

Reader's Guide

Note that despite being drafted in 1974 by Chicago and Vancouver, he did not play for either immediately. His major league breakthrough came with the Indianapolis Racers in the WHA. The critical date to remember is November 2, 1978, when he was traded alongside Gretzky to Edmonton. In the NHL, his timeline includes the 1979–80 debut season with the Oilers (his first winning season followed in 1980–81), a two-season stint with the New York Rangers, and his final year with Detroit Red Wings in 1985–86. Post-retirement, he served as an agent for Sergei Fedorov, Joe Thornton, and Brent Johnson, later becoming director of player development for the Phoenix Coyotes in 2005.

Did You Know?

• Mio was part of the trade on November 2, 1978, that sent Wayne Gretzky to the Edmonton Oilers.
• He met his lifelong friend Wayne Gretzky while playing for the Indianapolis Racers in the WHA.
• In 2005, Mio became the director of player development for the Phoenix Coyotes.
• At the 2014 NHL Winter Classic, he played an exhibition game with the Detroit Red Wings alumni team, splitting time with Kevin Hodson.
• Mio represented players like Sergei Fedorov, Joe Thornton, and Brent Johnson as a player agent with International Management Group.