Reference to the World Hockey Association
1972-1979" by Scott Adam Surgent, Xaler Press, Tempe,  Arizona copyright
1995, 1999, 2000, ISBN 0-9644774-0-8

The 1972-73 season was pivotal for pro hockey, but especially for the
National Hockey League. It's future was thrown into peril when an upstart
league conceived by Gary Davidson and Dennis Murphy of the American
Basketball Association came into being. Initially, the NHL ignored rumblings
about an emerging World Hockey Association, until its coffers were raided
literally overnight and its stars defected in droves, as the WHA abolished
the reserve clause. The NHL had just expanded (Atlanta Flames/New York
Islanders) and then had to compete against a hyped-up competitor in its
inaugural season. The major league pro player populace virtually doubled
overnight, and many, many jobs became available. Major league pro hockey was
now at the doorsteps of many citizens in several cities. Philadelphia, Los
Angeles, Boston, Minnesota and Chicago now had two teams, while New York had
three - a feat never to be duplicated. The defections began when Maple Leaf
goaltender Bernie Parent signed with the Miami Screaming Eagles, who later
became the Philadelphia Blazers. Bobby Hull then signed a $2.5 million
contract with Winnipeg. In Philadelphia, the Blazers got off to an
auspicious start when the zamboni crashed through the ice at the
Philadelphia Civic Center. Three maskless goalies played in the WHA. Joe
Daley backed up Ernie Wakely in Winnipeg, while Bob Perreault, in his
mid-forties, suited up for a game in Los Angeles. The old battle-axe
Perreault had joined the NHL at the conclusion of World War II. 

The caliber of play in the NHL became noticeably "watered down". 

The casualty count of key defections from NHL franchises:

Boston: Ted Green, Gerry Cheevers, Derek Sanderson, Johnny McKenzie, Wayne
Carleton
Toronto: Bernie Parent 
Montreal: J.C. Tremblay
Chicago: Bobby Hull
New York: Reg Fleming

The Bruins, once again, were paced by Phil Esposito (130 points) and Bobby
Orr (101 points). Dan Bouchard and Phil Myre performed admirably between the
pipes for the Flames in the new hockey "Hotbed" of Atlanta. Buffalo was
driven by the "French Connection" line of Rene Robert, Gil Perreault and
Rick Martin. Charlie Finley's California Golden Seals dressed in the same
colors of his baseball Oakland A's. They gambled and eventually gave up on a
Bruins castoff by the name of Reggie Leach, who would later blossom into a
50 goal scorer with the Flyers. Bobby Hull's brother picked up the scoring
slack left by his brother for Chicago, while Tony Esposito once again had a
stalwart season of netminding. Mickey Redmond had 52 goals for the Red Wings
while Rogie Vachon put together a stellar season in goal for the Kings.
Agitator Dennis Hextall paced the North Stars, who were lead by Cesare
Maniago, Gilles Gilbert (who would go on to star for Boston) and the aging
maskless wonder Gump Worsley. Montreal was paced to the Cup by Ken Dryden in
net, the Mahovlich brothers and the timeless Henri Richard and Yvon
Cournoyer. Billy Harris lead the expansion Islanders in scoring while
tempermental rookie Billy Smith secured the net. Center Jean Ratelle (41
goals) and veteran goaltender Ed Giacomin were the Rangers' pivotal players.
The Feisty Flyers were lead by captain Bobby Clarke and Rick MacLeish, who
tallied over 100 points each. Al McDonough and Lowell MacDonald each bagged
over thirty goals for the surprising Penguins, while ironman Garry Unger
fueled the Blues. darryl Sittler emerged as a star for the Toronto Maple
Leafs while Bobby Schmautz lead the Canucks in scoring and PIMs.

On the other side of the pro hockey ledger, the first Avco Cup was taken by
New England. The Whalers were lead by Tommy Webster's 53 goals and three
others (Terry Caffrey, Tim Sheehy and Larry Pleau) potted over 30. Al Smith
and Bruce Landon secured the crease like a fortress. Gerry Cheevers posted a
stingy 2.84 Goals Against Average (including 5 shutouts) for Cleveland. In
Philadelphia, after just 8 games, Derek Sanderson took his millions and left
for a two-year party, but Andre Lacroix(50 goals)and Danny Lawson (61) still
managed over 100 points a piece. "Swoop" Carleton lead Ottawa with 42 goals
and defenseman J.C. Tremblay lead the completely French Canadian Nordiques
in scoring. Ron Ward (51 goals) had a sparkling 118 point total for the New
York Raiders and the Golden Jet (Bobby Hull) garnered 51 goals for Winnipeg.
8 men had 20+ goals for Houston, while Gary Veneruzzo sniped 43 for the L.A.
Sharks. Mike Curran (4 shutouts) and Wayne Connelly (40 goals) were
standouts in Minnesota, while Jim Harrison (39 goals and 10 points in a
single game) paced the Alberta Oilers. The pathetic Chicago Cougars, despite
tremendous goaltending by Jimmy McLeod (his brother Don was a goalie for
Houston), only mustered 26 wins.

Much was learned from the 1972-73 pro hockey season. The NHL was in a
life-and-death struggle for gate receipts, while the WHA was not going to go
away anytime soon. The players reaped the benefit, as it began a salary
escaltion process that still continues today. Enjoy the NHL and WHA from
1972-1973!!!

John Horrigan
johnhorrigan@hotmail.com