The Oilers became the only WHA team to retain both their original name and city .
NHL owners voted down a 1977 plan to merge six WHA teams into the NHL before a 1979 merger was approved .
The Oilers became the only WHA team to retain both NHL 's original name and city .
NHL owners voted down a 1977 plan to merge six WHA teams into the NHL before a 1979 merger was approved .