Jones: McDavid's commitment gigantic plus for Oilers

On January 26, 1979, his 18th birthday, with a cake in the shape of 99 and a bottle of “baby” champagne presented by his teammates, Wayne Gretzky stood at centre ice and signed a 21-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
His brothers and sister stood with him wearing silly felt alpine hats and his dad, Walter, who urged Wayne to sign for long-term security, watched over his shoulder.
“I’m signed until 1999,” said Gretzky. “Everything is great here. There is n