RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The World Hockey Association (French: Association mondiale de hockey) was a professional ice hockey major league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major league to compete with the National Hockey League (NHL) since the collapse of the Western Hockey League (1952–74). Although the WHA was not the first league since that time to attempt to challenge the NHL's supremacy, it was by far the most successful in the modern era. The WHA tried to capitalize on the lack of hockey teams in a number of major American cities and mid-level Canadian cities, and also hoped to attract the best players by paying more than NHL owners would.
The WHA had an acrimonious relationship with the NHL, resulting in numerous legal battles, as well as competition for control of players and markets. In spite of this, merger talks began almost immediately, as the WHA was constantly unstable, with franchises occasionally relocating or folding in the middle of the season. NHL owners voted down a 1977 plan to merge six WHA teams (the Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, Cincinnati Stingers, Houston Aeros, and Winnipeg Jets) into the NHL before a 1979 merger was approved. As a result, the WHA ceased operations, and four teams joined the NHL for the 1979–80 season: the Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets.
The Broncos folded before the start of the season, the negotiating rights to their picks were transferred to the Cleveland Crusaders. Similarly the Screaming Eagles never took to the ice, and their picks were transferred to the Philadelphia Blazers. The Oil Kings changed their name to the Alberta Oilers.
On April 11, 1975, the atmosphere was charged at the playoff game between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers, marking Game 3 of their series. This matchup came at a critical time for both teams in their first-ever playoff encounter, a battle reflective of the growing rivalry. The Islanders, only in their third season and experiencing their first playoff run, were keen to establish themselves against the veteran Rangers team. The Rangers, with a robust lineup and seasoned playoff experience, were determined not to let the newer franchise overshadow them in what had become a closely contested series.
The game unfolded with intense action, as both teams displayed strong defensive and offensive plays. Key players from both sides were pivotal in driving the game's pace, with the Rangers trying to exploit their experience and the Islanders leveraging their youthful energy and growing fan support. This game was not just a battle on the ice; it was a fight for supremacy in New York, giving fans a thrilling display of hockey and setting the tone for what would become one of the great rivalries in the NHL.
Former Birmingham Bulls Phil Roberto, Jean-Guy Lagace, Brent Hughes, and John C. Stewart sit down...
Birmingham Bulls Legends Roundtable / Former Birmingham Bulls Phil Roberto, Jean-Guy Lagace, Brent Hughes, and John C. Stewart sit down together to discuss their professional hockey careers.
The notorious Steve Durbano and a series of WHA hockey fights, cheap shots and acts...
Steve Durbano WHA Hockey Fights, Cheap Shots and Acts of Violence / The notorious Steve Durbano and a series of WHA hockey fights, cheap shots and acts of violence. In these clips he assaults Bobby Hull, bites Terry Ruskowski and attacks Kevin Morrison.
Durbano was noted for his villainous behaviour on the ice and his larger-than-life persona off it. Nicknamed the "Mental Case", he is the all-time leader in penalty minutes per game in the National Hockey League (NHL), with 1127 career PIMs over a mere 220 games played, for 5.12 PIMs per game.
In the 1977-78 season with the WHA Birmingham Bulls he amassed 284 penalty minutes in 45 games.
Rare audio of a Global TV WHA broadcast which featured the Baltimore Blades and the Toronto Toros March of 1975
Partial game audio from Blades vs Toros TV Broadcast / Rare audio of a Global TV WHA broadcast which featured the Baltimore Blades and the Toronto Toros March of 1975 at Maple Leaf Gardens. The announcers are Mike Anscombe and Carl Brewer.
Team Canada hero eventually jumped to the WHA's Toros from the Leafs due to Harold's...
Henderson vs. Ballard in their Battle of Toronto / Team Canada hero eventually jumped to the WHA's Toros from the Leafs due to Harold's inability to respect him
October 1975 - Footage of WHA game between the EDMONTON OILERS and the TORONTO TOROS,...
WHA Hockey violence debate / October 1975 - Footage of WHA game between the EDMONTON OILERS and the TORONTO TOROS, Ontario Attorney General Roy McMurtry talks about bringing the criminal code into hockey rinks, Toros coach Bobby Baun says fighting is a part of hockey (CBC-TV reporter Peter Murphy)
Toronto Toros starter left out to dry after 8-2 lead in 10-9 loss to the...
When former Habs prospect Jim Shaw was fired / Toronto Toros starter left out to dry after 8-2 lead in 10-9 loss to the Crusaders in late 1975 - and he and two other TT skaters were turfed minutes after the game ended
1 Comment
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.