Tombstone
Formed: September 13, 19711Newly-formed circuit threatens NHL? S-P Services via The Phoenix, Sep. 14. 1971
Disbanded: June 22, 19792NHL Expansion Now Official, AP via The Spokesman-Review, Jun. 23, 1979
First Game: October 11, 1972
Last Game: May 20, 1979
Seasons: 7
States & Provinces: 21
(AB, AL, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, MA, MB, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC, TX)
Leadership
Founders:
Gary Davidson and Dennis Murphy
President:
Gary Davidson 1971-1973
Dennis Murphy 1973-1975
Ben Hatskin 1975-1976
Bill McFarland 1977
Howard Baldwin 1978-1979
Trophy Case
World Hockey Association Most Valuable Player
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972-73 | Bobby Hull | Left Wing | Winnipeg Jets |
| 1973-74 | Gordie Howe | Right Wing | Houston Aeros |
| 1974-75 | Bobby Hull | Left Wing | Winnipeg Jets |
| 1975-76 | Marc Tardif | Left Wing | Quebec Nordiques |
| 1976-77 | Robbie Ftorek | Forward | Phoenix Roadrunners |
| 1977-78 | Marc Tardif | Left Wing | Quebec Nordiques |
| 1978-79 | Dave Dryden | Goaltender | Edmonton Oilers |
Our Favorite Gear
1979 WHA Replica All-Star 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
Relive the raucous days of the World Hockey Association, and look like an All-Star, in this great jersey.
Background
The World Hockey Association (WHA) was established in 1971, just four years after the National Hockey League (NHL) doubled in size from six to 12 teams. It was the first time that a competing pro hockey league emerged to challenge the established NHL for fans and players. It was also four years after the American Basketball Association (ABA) first hit the court to take on the established National Basketball Association (NBA).
The folks behind the WHA, notably rebel sports league legends Gary Davidson and Dennis Murphy, had also cooked up the ABA . Since neither man knew very much about hockey, Bill Hunter, who had co-founded the Western Hockey League (WHL) was brought in to help organize the new circuit.
For seven years the league fought a pitched battle with the NHL before succumbing in 1979. Four of the WHA’s six surviving teams joined the NHL for the 1979-80 season.
World Hockey Association Franchises
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | AVCO CUP CHAMPIONS | FATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Oilers | 1972-1973 | Never | Rebranded Edmonton Oilers |
| Baltimore Blades | 1975 | Never | FOLDED |
| Birmingham Bulls | 1976-1979 | Never | Joined CHL |
| Calgary Cowboys | 1975-1977 | Never | FOLDED |
| Chicago Cougars | 1972-1975 | Never | FOLDED |
| Cincinnati Stingers | 1975-1979 | Never | Joined CHL |
| Cleveland Crusaders | 1972-1976 | Never | Became second Minnesota Fighting Saints |
| Denver Spurs | 1975-1976 | Never | Became Ottawa Civics |
| Edmonton Oilers | 1973-1979 | Never | Joined NHL |
| Houston Aeros | 1972-1978 | 1974 & 1975 | FOLDED |
| Indianapolis Racers | 1974-1978 | Never | FOLDED |
| Jersey Knights | 1973-1974 | Never | Became San Diego Mariners |
| Los Angeles Sharks | 1972-1974 | Never | Became Michigan Stags |
| Michigan Stags | 1974-1975 | Never | Became Baltimore Blades |
| Minnesota Fighting Saints | 1972-1977 | Never | FOLDED |
| New England Whalers | 1972-1979 | 1973 | Joined NHL as Hartford Whalers |
| New York Raiders | 1972-1973 | Never | Became New York Golden Blades |
| New York Golden Blades | 1973 | Never | Became Jersey Knights |
| Ottawa Civics | 1976 | Never | FOLDED |
| Ottawa Nationals | 1972-1973 | Never | Became Toronto Toros |
| Philadelphia Blazers | 1972-1973 | Never | Became Vancouver Blazers |
| Phoenix Roadrunners | 1974-1977 | Never | Joined CHL |
| Quebec Nordiques | 1972-1979 | 1977 | Joined NHL |
| San Diego Mariners | 1974-1977 | Never | FOLDED |
| Toronto Toros | 1973-1976 | Never | Became Birmingham Bulls |
| Vancouver Blazers | 1973-1975 | Never | Became Calgary Cowboys |
| Winnipeg Jets | 1972-1979 | 1976, 1978 & 1979 | Joined NHL |
World Hockey Association Shop
Our Favorite Gear
1977 WHA Replica All-Star 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
Relive the raucous days of the World Hockey Association, and look like an All-Star, in this great jersey.
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