CALGARY (CP) – Persistent rumors that a major league hockey franchise would be moved to Calgary proved true yesterday with the announcement that the former Vancouver Blazers will become the Calgary Cowboys.

The announcement caught almost nobody by surprise.

There were prior suggestions that Baltimore Blades or Chicago Cougars of the WHA wished to move to this southern Alberta city of 400,000.

Preliminary talks, sparked by Scotty Munro of Calgary, began about eight months ago.
Bill Pratte, general manager of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, said after the news conference that Stampede directors favored Vancouver by a large margin.

“Other clubs wanted a commitment from us on dates for construction of a new arena, and we couldn't make such a commitment. The Blazers said they are willing to work with us toward establishment of a building suitable for major hockey.''

Two previous WHA games have been played in Calgary.

The Blazers played Edmonton Oilers in an exhibition game in the 6.600-seat Stampede Corral which will house the new franchise, and Minnesota Fighting Saints defeated the Oilers in a sudden-death game to enter the playoffs at the end of the inaugural WHA season.

Joe Crozier, general manager & coach of the Blazers, vowed that most of the 40 home games next season would more interesting than those two games.

Bill Sleeman, Vancouver's representative on the WHA board of trustees, and part-owner June Sifton attended the Calgary news conference while Jim Pattison, president of Neonex International Ltd., which owns the majority of shares in the franchise, held a simultaneous meeting in Vancouver.