After the idea of 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 The main point of complaint, according to pro hockey players, was the outdated NHL reserve clause. Most players were committed to one specific NHL team for the lifetime of their professional hockey career. The few alternatives awaiting players who didn't care for the reserve clause were to sit out and gain disfavor with the NHL management...usually ending with a lifetime of riding the buses in the minors or simply to retire from the game. With the advent of the WHA being a viable alternative, that situation of "pro hockey slavery" was about change. The WHA received a mixed reception from fans throughout the league. Few teams survived. Most successful were the Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers and New England (Hartford) Whalers. These four teams would eventually be included in the merger plans of the NHL. New NHL President John Ziegler came on board in 1977. Both leagues decided to hold meetings to resolve their problems. Initial WHA - NHL merger talks began in June 1977. After nearly two years of negotiations an agreement was made 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. Going for the best player the Winnipeg Jets, in partnership with WHA owners, announced the signing of Black Hawks super scorer Bobby Hull. Hull signed an unheard of contract...$2.5 million for 10 years to coach and play for the Jets. The WHA soon followed their major league announcement by inking Bernie Parent, Johnny McKenzie and Derek Sanderson to contracts with the Philadelphia Blazers. The Cleveland Crusaders plucked Gerry Cheevers off the Bruins roster. J.C. Tremblay traveled down the road from Montreal to Quebec and former Bruin defenseman Ted Green joined the New England Whalers. June 5, 1973, the WHA rocked the pro hockey world when the Houston Aeros announced the signing of - "Mr. Hockey" - Gordie Howe along with his two sons Mark and Marty....thus fulfilling Howe's lifetime dream of playing pro with his two siblings. Gordie returned to the hockey wars after a 2 year retirement. Still under-aged juniors, 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. January 30th, 1973, playing for the original WHA Alberta Oilers, Harrison reached "double digits" 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 the Maple Leafs' Darryl Sittler. Serge Bernier holds the WHA record for consecutive games goals scored. Bernier scored one goal, for 11 straight games, from December 5th to December 22nd, 1974. During the streak, Serge potted 16 goals. Andy Brown was the last pro goaltender to play without wearing a facemask. Brave...but considered somewhat of a daredevil, Brown never did don the face protection. After jumping to the WHA's Indianapolis Racers, Andy played until the end of the 1976 - 77 season before he decided to retire. Real Cloutier was the first teenager to score 60 goals in professional hockey. As a member of the World Hockey Association Quebec Nordiques, Cloutier surpassed to 60 goal mark during the 1975 - 76 season. He was only 19 years old. Marc Tardif, the ex-Canadien, led the World Hockey Association in lifetime 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.
FACT OR FICTION? Alton White made his WHA debut with the New York Raiders in 1972 - 73. White was the first, and only, Afro-Canadian to play in the league. Forever a minor leaguer, Alton had a 3 year career with the Raiders, Los Angeles Sharks and Baltimore Blades. Andre Lacroix had the longest game scoring streak in WHA history. Playing for the San Diego Mariners, Lacroix scored at least one point in games from January 4th to March 19th during the 1974 - 75 season. During the 32 game streak, Andre scored 17 goals and added 53 assists for the spectacular total of 70 points!! The Minnesota Fighting Saints 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 1976 - 77 season. The Cleveland Crusaders relocated to St. Paul with brand new team colors. In the summer of 1978 Nelson Skalbania purchased the Indianapolis Racers for $1.00. Buying the suspended WHA franchise, Skalbania met with bitter opposition from the Racers' fans. They did not like outside ownership. The Racers disbanded December 15, 1978 after dealing Wayne Gretzky to Edmonton and Mark Messier to Cincinnati.
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