When Wayne Gretzky entered the NHL in 1979, he did so without going through the National Hockey League draft.
And now it could happen again, a quarter of a century later, to much-talked about teen phenom.
With the NHL and the NHLPA still embroiled in their bitter labour dispute, it's quite possible that Sidney Crosby, and all of the 2005 draft class, could find themselves without a draft to go to.
"If there's no draft, no CBA at that point, we're going to have to explore our options," said Pat Brisson, one of Crosby's agents.
"From a legal standpoint and a practical standpoint this is going to be a big issue if the season is cancelled in January and there is no draft."
J.P. Barry, who also represents Crosby, added,"We have people talking to experts in labour law and anti-trust law and they are getting opinions because we don't know what is going to happen.
"Can you have a draft when you don't have a CBA," Barry asked, before answering, "I don't think so."
"What happens to those players is up in the air right now."
The legal issues are considerable and could find themselves dragged through courts for months, if not years. Still, the prospect of Crosby and all of the 2005 draft class being unrestricted free agents is, at the very least, intriguing to a lot of agents.
"In hockey we're used to looking at free agents at 31, but if Sidney Crosby becomes an unrestricted free agent at age 18, it would definitely be the ultimate feeling," said Brisson bearing a wide grin.
No matter what happens, Crosby's handlers have reason to smile. If the lockout is settled, he'll be the number one pick in the NHL draft. If it isn't, there will be a long line of teams bidding for his services -- on both sides of the Atlantic.
He could sign with any European team, or sign in the American Hockey League as a free agent, and there's even talk of a new North American league starting up next fall and Crosby would clearly be the crown jewel.
Where won't Sidney Crosby play? It seems unlikely that he'll return to major junior hockey next year. Most people believe he's outgrown the Quebec Major Junior League. If the NHL returns next season withe replacement players, don't look for Crosby to play in that league, either. Crosby's people say that if NHL regulars aren't in the league, then he won't be either.