World Hockey Association (1972-1977)
Tombstone
Born: August 1, 1971 – WHA founding franchise11975-76 World Hockey Association Media Guide
Folded: February 28, 1976
Re-Born: August 9, 1976 – The Cleveland Crusaders relocate to St. Paul, MN
Folded Again: January 20, 1977
First Game: October 13, 1972 (L 4-3 vs. Winnipeg Jets)
Last Game: January 14, 1977 (W 9-5 vs. Indianapolis Racers)
AVCO Cup Championships: None
Arenas
1972: St. Paul Auditorium
Opened: 1932
1973-1977: St. Paul Civic Center (15,705)21975-76 World Hockey Association Media Guide
Opened: 1973
Demolished: 1998
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owners:
- 1972-1974: ??
- 1974-1976: Wayne Belisle, et al.
- 1976-1977: Nick Mileti
Our Favorite Stuff
Minnesota Fighting Saints
Logo T-Shirt
Trivia: The World Hockey Association’s Minnesota Fighting Saints identity was a tribute to the informal nickname of minor league St. Paul Saints (1959-1963) of the International Hockey League. The “Little Saint” logo made its debut in January 1973 on newly re-designed jerseys timed to coincide with the opening of the brand new St. Paul Civic Center.
This design is also available as a Hooded or Crewneck Sweatshirt right now at Old School Shirts!
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Background
Coming soon…
Minnesota Fighting Saints Shop
Our Favorite Gear
Minnesota Fighting Saints
Replica Jersey
When it comes to Replica Jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable hockey sweaters.
Free Customization Included
Each jersey individually handmade
Any name and number
Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
100% polyester
Heavyweight fabric made to game standards
Fight strap included
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Editor's Pick
The Rebel League
The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association
By Ed Willes
The Rebel League celebrates the good, the bad, and the ugly of the fabled WHA. It is filled with hilarious anecdotes, behind the scenes dealing, and simply great hockey. The upstart WHA introduced to the world 27 new hockey franchises, a trail of bounced cheques, fractious lawsuits, and folded teams. It introduced the crackpots, goons, and crazies that are so well remembered as the league’s bizarre legacy.
But the hit-and-miss league was much more than a travelling circus of the weird and wonderful. It was the vanguard that drove hockey into the modern age. It ended the NHL’s monopoly, freed players from the reserve clause, ushered in the 18-year-old draft, moved the game into the Sun Belt, and put European players on the ice in numbers previously unimagined..
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Minnesota Fighting Saints Video
1972-73 Your A Saint or You Ain’t (sic) team highlight video.
Links
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