After the idea for the WHA was conceived during the summer of 1971, the world of professional hockey would never be the same. The main point of complaint, according to professional hockey players, was the NHL’s outdated reserve clause. Most players were committed to a specific NHL team for their entire professional hockey career. The few alternatives awaiting players who didn’t mind the reserve clause were to sit out and earn the disapproval of NHL management … usually ending up with a lifetime riding league buses. minors or simply withdrawing from the game. With the advent of the WHA as a viable alternative, that situation of “professional hockey slavery” was about to change. The WHA received a mixed reception from fans across the league. Few teams survived. The most successful were the Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, and New England (Hartford) Whalers. These four teams would eventually be included in the NHL’s merger plans. The new president of the NHL, John Ziegler, joined in 1977. Both leagues decided to hold meetings to solve their problems. Initial WHA – NHL merger talks began in June 1977. After nearly two years of negotiations, an agreement was reached on March 22, 1979.

WHA FOUNDATION: Establishing instant credibility with hockey fans across North America, the first order of business was to seek out…and sign…the biggest superstars available. In search of the best player, the Winnipeg Jets, in association with the owners of the WHA, announced the signing of Black Hawks super scorer Bobby Hull. Hull signed an unprecedented $2.5 million, 10-year deal to train and play for the Jets. The WHA soon followed up its Major League announcement by signing Bernie Parent, Johnny McKenzie, and Derek Sanderson to contracts with the Philadelphia Blazers. The Cleveland Crusaders dropped Gerry Cheevers from the Bruins’ roster. JC Tremblay traveled down the road from Montreal to Quebec and former Bruin defenseman Ted Green joined the New England Whalers. On June 5, 1973, the WHA rocked the world of professional hockey when the Houston Eros announced the signing of – “Mr. Hockey” – Gordie Howe along with his two sons Mark and Marty… thus fulfilling the dream of the entire Howe’s life of playing professionally with his two brothers. Gordie returned to hockey wars after a 2-year retirement. Still minors, Mark and Marty came over from the Toronto Marlies.

STAR PLAYERS: Jim Harrison was the first player to score 10 points in a “major league” hockey game. On January 30, 1973, playing for the original WHA Alberta Oilers, Harrison reached “double figures” against the New York Raiders. The 10 points included 3 goals and 7 assists. The NHL mark of 10 points was set 3 years later by Darryl Sittler of the Maple Leafs. Serge Bernier holds the WHA record for goals scored in consecutive games. Bernier scored a goal, during 11 consecutive games, from December 5 to 22, 1974. During the streak, Serge scored 16 goals. Andy Brown was the last professional goalkeeper to play without wearing a mask. Brave… but considered somewhat of a daredevil, Brown never donned face protection. After jumping to the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA, Andy played until the end of the 1976-77 season before deciding to retire. Real Cloutier was the first teenager to score 60 goals in professional hockey. As a member of the Quebec Nordiques World Hockey Association, Cloutier surpassed the 60-goal mark during the 1975-76 season. He was only 19 years old. Marc Tardif, the former Canadian, led the World Hockey Association in career goals with 316. The only other WHA player to break the 300-goal total was Bobby Hull. The “Golden Jet” was 13 off the pace with 303.

REALITY OR FICTION? Alton White made his WHA debut with the New York Raiders in 1972-1973. White was the first and only African Canadian to play in the league. Always a minor league player, Alton had a 3-year career with the Raiders, Los Angeles Sharks and Baltimore Blades. Andre Lacroix had the longest scoring streak in WHA history. Playing for the San Diego Mariners, Lacroix scored at least one point in games from January 4 to March 19 during the 1974-75 season. During the 32-game streak, Andre scored 17 goals and added 53 assists for a spectacular total of 70 points! The Minnesota Fighting Saints have existed twice in their franchise history. The original WHA franchise played from 1972-73 through 1975-76. After disbanding the franchise, the Fighting Saints returned for their final season of 1976-77. The Cleveland Crusaders moved to St. Paul in the new team colors. In the summer of 1978, Nelson Skalbania purchased the Indianapolis Racers for $1.00. In purchasing the suspended WHA franchise, Skalbania met with bitter opposition from Racers fans. They did not like external property. The Racers disbanded on December 15, 1978 after moving Wayne Gretzky to Edmonton and Mark Messier to Cincinnati.