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 6, 1973-Big League Hockey Soon for Phoenix

PHOENIX (AP)—A major stockholder in the Phoenix Roadrunners says the city will have a major league hockey team here for the 1974-75 season. Karl Eller said in an interview Tuesday that Phoenix will remain in the Western Hockey League next season, but plans to join either the National Hockey League or the World Hockey Association …

This Day In Hockey History-June 1, 1974-WHA Amateur Draft- Vancouver Blazers sign top two draft picks

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 …

This Day In Hockey History-May 24, 1977-Robbie Ftorek Selected WHA MVP

NEW YORK (CP) — Robbie Ftorek was named winner of the Gordie Howe Trophy as the most valuable player in the World Hockey Association for the 1976-77 season Sunday, marking the first time in hockey history that an American-born player has ever won a major league MVP award. The Howe award, chosen by a vote …

This Day In Hockey History-April 23, 1974-Sobchuk, the next superstar?

By CHARLES KILLINGER 1974. the Los Angeles Times REGINA. Sask. – The kid earns only $300 a month. Come fall his paycheque soars to $472 a day. $14,166 a month. $170,000 a year. The kid is a centre iceman. He signed a 10-year, $1.7 million contract, the most ever for a young hockey player. Dennis …

This Day In Hockey History-April 6, 1977-Phoenix Roadrunners Play Final Game

Phoenix Exits in Fine Fashion The Associated Press The Phoenix Roadrunners are dead, but they went out in style. Unlike the other World Hockey Assn, teams whose regular seasons ended Wednesday night, the Roadrunners’ history ended. The franchise, which will fold on Thursday because of fiscal problems, enjoyed one final moment of glory as they …

This Day In Hockey History-April 4, 1976-WHA Records Broken at Record Pace

TORONTO (CP) — While World Hockey Association have been fighting for playoff position, season records have been failing in every direction. A league official said Sunday night at least eight team or individual records have tumbled in recent weeks as the league completes the longest schedule in its brief history. Quebec Nordiques, led by league …

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 …

This Day In Hockey History-March 30, 1976-New WHA Sites On Tap

TORONTO (CP) – St. Paul, which lost Minnesota Fighting Saints earlier this season; and Seattle may get World Hockey Association franchises next year. St. Paul may get Phoenix Roadrunners, who have been unable to improve their attendance this season, Bud Poile, WHA director of hockey operations, said yesterday. The Roadrunners, who need to average 10,000 …