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 a five-year contract worth a reported $1.3 million.
Blazers general manager Joe Crozier also announced the signing of centre Ron Chipperfield from Brandon Wheat Kings of the WCHL. Chipperfield had been chosen by Vancouver in the WHA's secret-negotiation draft two months ago and was also selected by California Golden Seals in the first round of the National Hockey League draft Tuesday.
Price was one of 209 players from amateur teams universities and. colleges from across Canada and the United States chosen in the 19-round. 2 1/2-hour session by the WHA's 15 teams.
Indianapolis Racers, an expansion club scheduled to start play this fall, had second pick and took Mike Will of Edmonton Oil Kings, also of the WCHL. Cincinnati Stingers, a team scheduled to start play in the 1975-76 season, followed by choosing Don Larway from Swift Current Broncos, another WCHL club.
Larway, a 46-goal scorer for the Broncos, was Boston Bruins' first-round choice in the National Hockey League's secret amateur draft earlier this week.
Michigan Stags, formerly Los Angeles Sharks, drafting fourth, chose Bill Reed of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior A series.
Reed, 20, admitted at the conclusion of the draft that he had already signed a five-year contract with the Stags before the draft began. He would not disclose details of the contract.
Phoenix Roadrunners, another expansion club making its debut this fall, had fifth choice and took Dennis Olmstead from the University of Wisconsin. Olmstead's father Bert is a former player in the National Hockey League.
The Roadrunners originally had first choice, but passed to the Blazers, presumably because Vancouver had already signed Price to a contract. Phoenix then maintained the Blazers' fifth-place pick for the first round.
San Diego Knights, formerly New Jersey, chose Brad Rhiness of Kingston Canadians and Winnipeg Jets, choosing seventh, took Randy Andrachuk of Kamloops. B.C.
Edmonton Oilers had eighth pick, and took Doug Soetart of the Oil Kings.
Real Cloutier of Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was chosen by Quebec Nordiques, and Gary McGregor, a centre who scored 100 goals for Cornwall Royals in the QMJHL last season, was Chicago Cougars' first-round choice.
Cleveland Crusaders, picking 11th. chose Paul Baxter from Winnipeg of the WCHL.
Toronto Toros, choosing 12th, picked Jim Turkiewicz of Peterborough Petes and New England followed by taking Tim Young of Ottawa '67s.
Minnesota Fighting Saints, with 14th pick, took Bruce Boudreau of Toronto Marlboros and league-champion Houston Aeros, choosing last, took Dick Spannbauer from the University of Minnesota.
Under a league agreement with the Canadian Amateur Association, the league pays the CAHA $20,000 for each drafted player signed through the top 50, and $15,000 for selections 50 through 91.
The clubs will pay $40,000 for any exceptional junior signed. There were 14 such exceptional players chosen in the first two rounds of Friday's draft.
★ ★ ★ ★