OIL PRICES RISE IN EDMONTON; IS GRETZKY OWNERSHIP IN SIGHT?

          NHL Oilers Exec VP/Business Operations Doug Piper
     announced "across-the-board" ticket increases in the 20%
     range for the '98-99 season, according to Robert Tychkowski
     of the EDMONTON SUN.  The cheapest seats will rise from C$12
     to C$14; mid-range seating from C$30-C$36; and top-level
     seats from C$60 to C$72.  There will now be 5,700 seats at
     the Coliseum priced under C$23 (EDMONTON SUN, 3/31).   
          WILL THE GREAT ONE RETURN? In Edmonton, Scott Haskins
     writes that a "reliable" source told him that Wayne Gretzky
     is putting up $35M to purchase controlling interest in the
     Oilers.  The source added that the deal will be announced at
     the end of the Rangers' season (EDMONTON SUN, 3/31).