Category: World Hockey Association

Birmingham Bulls WHA

Birmingham Bulls (1976-1981)

May 16, 2014

The Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association were one of the first major pro hockey teams to make their home in the Deep South, sharing that distinction with the slightly older Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League. The Bulls never posted a winning record and made the playoffs only once in three WHA seasons. But the team did make news for its controversial “Baby Bulls” youth movement that saw the team sign a parade of teenage stars from the junior ranks who would later go on to NHL stardom, including Ken Linseman, Michel Goulet, Rick Vaive, Pat Riggin and others. Read more…

Read More »
Michigan Stags World Hockey Association

Michigan Stags

December 26, 2013

The Michigan Stags were a brief and doomed attempt by the rebel World Hockey Association (1972-1979) to challenge the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings head-to-head during the winter of 1974-75. The NHL club was ripe for a challenge, as they were mired in the depths of the “Dead Wings” era. But the Stags’ local owners did not possess the financial fortitude to take on the Red Wings, even in their weakened state. The Stags, who played at 10,000-seat Cobo Arena, threw in the towel after only 43 games and absconded to Baltimore in the middle of the 1974-75 WHA season. The combined Stags/Baltimore Blades team finished the year with a dreadful 21-53-4 last place finish and promptly went out of business.

Read More »
Frank Mahovlich on the cover of a 1975 Toronto Toros program from the World Hockey Association

Toronto Toros

December 15, 2013

World Hockey Association (1973-1976) Born: 1973 – The Ottawa Nationals relocate to Toronto Moved: June 29, 1976 (Birmingham Bulls) First Game: October 7, 1973 (T

Read More »
Illustration of goaltender Gerry Cheevers on the cover of a 1974-75 Cleveland Crusaders program from the World Hockey Association

Cleveland Crusaders

February 18, 2013

World Hockey Association (1972-1976) Born: June 21, 1972 – WHA founding franchise Moved: August 9, 1976 (Minnesota Fighting Saints) First Game: October 11, 1972 (W

Read More »
1978 Cincinnati Stingers Program from the World Hockey Association

Cincinnati Stingers

August 4, 2012

The Cincinnati Stingers hockey team began life in the upstart World Hockey Association in the winter of 1975-76.  Owners Bill DeWitt Jr. and Brian Heekin originally sought to land an NHL expansion club for the Queen City, failed, and then accepted the first expansion franchise awarded by the fledgling WHA as a fallback option in May 1973. 

Read More »