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This Day In Hockey History-June 24, 1977-NHL Proposes Merger With WHA

The National Hockey League proposed Friday a merger with the World Hockey Association with no less than six teams from the World Association forming a separate division under a National Hockey League umbrella. The proposal will be put forth to the surviving World Hockey teams and is expected to be accepted. The cities most likely …

This Day In Hockey History-June 16, 1977-WHA clubs perform annual draft ritual

TORONTO (CP) – The World Hockey Association may or may not operate as an independent league next season, but if it does it will be ready to do battle with the National Hockey League for some of the best graduates of amateur ranks. The nine WHA teams still in existence after the demise of Phoenix …

This Day In Hockey History-June 13, 1978-Rob Rammage, Pat Riggin, Craig Hartsburg WHA bound

MONTREAL — National Hockey League Players’ Association president Alan Eagleson confirmed here Tuesday night that more under-age juniors will sign with the World Hockey Association. Eagleson now feels it’s essential his under-age clients maintain credibility in the wake of WHA Indianapolis Racers signing Soo Greyhounds sensation Wayne Gretzky, 17, to a reported seven-year, $ 1.75-million …

This Day In Hockey History-June 11, 1978-Gretzky signs with WHA and ignites hockey war

The palace revolt that Ben Hatskin seemed to be expecting has taken place with the signing of 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky by Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania. Skalbania announced Monday he has signed Gretzky, the scoring star last season with Sault -Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, to a personal services contract. …

This Day In Hockey History-June 6, 1977-WHA plays $500,000 tune and 67’s Bobby Smith is listening

TORONTO — Ottawa 67’s forward Bobby Smith, considered by many as the top junior hockey player in Canada, says he’s prepared to forego his final year of junior eligibilty to pursue his hockey career in the World Hockey Association. Smith could be one of several under age juniors who might go with the WHA. Smith …

This Day In Hockey History-June 4, 1977-WHA head against the signing of 18 year old Ken Linseman

TORONTO (CP) — Bill MacFarland, president of the World Hockey Association, said Friday the reported signing of an 18-year-old hockey player, Ken Linseman, by Birmingham Bulls is in direct conflict with league bylaws. “That signing would be precluded by league regulations against signing underage players or staking a claim on them without going through a …

This Day In Hockey History-April 24, 1979-Stingers Play Final Game, Franchise Folds as Whalers Triumph

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – Add Cincinnati Stingers to the list of World Hockey Association dinosaurs. The Stingers played their final game Tuesday night, losing to New England Whalers 2-1 in the deciding match of their best-of-three quarter-final playoff. Cincinnati, which joined the WHA in 1975, has passed away — along with Birmingham Bulls — as …

This Day In Hockey History-March 30, 1979-NHL Merges With WHA

NHL, WHA wed for better or worse By Al Colletti Canadian Press staff writer 31 Mar 1979, Sat The Ottawa Citizen (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) NEW YORK — Some call it expansion and others a mini-merger, but whatever terminology is used, the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association are wedded for better or for …

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