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 …
Read the full post →“This Day In Hockey History-June 16, 1977-WHA clubs perform annual draft ritual”
Ottawa 67’s centreman Bobby Smith, who owns OHA scoring records, will soon own hockey’s next million-dollar contract regardless of which league he calls home next winter. “We’ve had meetings with Minnesota,” said Smith’s agent Norm Caplan, of Montreal. “Outlines have been made and figures have been clearly defined but as of right now no documents …
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 …
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. …
It was a day like no other in hockey history. On the same day Number 9, The Great Gordie Howe officially retired from hockey, Number 99, The Great Wayne Gretzky, officially ascended his throne. Following the most spectacular first-year performance in National Hockey League history, Edmonton Oilers’ Wayne Gretzky was informed late Wednesday he had …
Read the full post →“This Day In Hockey History-June 5, 1980-Byng-o! The Kid, Gretzky, has Hart”
TORONTO (CP) — Pat Price says he will follow the tradition of many other rich young hockey players and buy a sleek sports car. Price, a 19-year-old defenceman from Saskatoon Blades of the Western Canada Hockey League, was the first choice Friday in the World Hockey Association amateur draft. He then signed with Vancouver Blazers …
Season by season 1977-78: Gretzky racks up 182 points for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League before signing with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association…. Less than 7,000 people witness the greatest hockey player of all time score his first professional goal. On Oct. 20, 1978, 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky played …
Read the full post →“This Day In Hockey History-April 18, 1999-Gretzky: Season by Season”
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 …
Read the full post →“This Day In Hockey History-March 30, 1979-NHL Merges With WHA”
