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The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey major league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major league to compete with the National Hockey League (NHL) since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926. Although the WHA was not the first league since that time to attempt to challenge the NHL's supremacy, it was by far the most successful in the modern era.
The Vancouver Blazers were a professional ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973 to 1975. The Blazers played at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, sharing the facility with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. The Blazers were owned by local businessman Jim Pattison. The franchise moved to Vancouver after a single season in Philadelphia. Unable to establish a strong fan base in Vancouver, the team was moved again in 1975 to become the Calgary Cowboys.
The Miami Screaming Eagles were a professional ice hockey team that had intended to play in Miami, Florida, U.S. The Screaming Eagles were charter members of the World Hockey Association, but never played a game in Miami due to the only available arena being unfit for use. The franchise license was purchased and moved, becoming the Philadelphia Blazers for the WHA's inaugural season.
The Calgary Cowboys were an ice hockey team that played two seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1975 to 1977. The Cowboys played at the Stampede Corral in Calgary. The franchise was founded in 1972 as the Miami Screaming Eagles, though it never played a game in Miami. The team was based in Philadelphia and Vancouver, known in both markets as the Blazers, before relocating to Calgary. The franchise folded in 1977.
The 1972–73 WHA season was the first season of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Twelve teams played 78 games each. The league was officially incorporated in June of 1971 by Gary Davidson and Dennis A. Murphy and promised to ice twelve teams in various markets around Canada and the United States. The league championship trophy, the Avco World Trophy, was donated by AVCO Financial Services Corporation along with $500,000. The New England Whalers won the first Avco World Trophy.
The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the 1972–73 WHA season based in Philadelphia. The team's home ice was the Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center.
André Joseph Lacroix is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association, and is the WHA's all-time leading career scorer.
John Albert McKenzie was a Canadian professional hockey player and coach. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several seasons, most notably with the Boston Bruins, with whom he won the Stanley Cup twice. He also played several seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA).
The Jersey Devils were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Bo Morgan Willy Lindström is a Swedish former ice hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a three-time Avco World Trophy winner with the Jets and two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Oilers.
Daniel Michael Lawson was a Canadian ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1968 to 1972 and the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 to 1977. He led the WHA in goal scoring in its inaugural season.
Ronald William Plumb is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Ron is the brother of Robert Plumb.
Morris Kenneth Mott is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 199 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association and the California Golden Seals of the NHL. He joined the Canadian national team in 1965, playing with the team until it was dissolved in 1970. After completing his hockey career Mott earned a PhD, and taught sports history at Brandon University.
Claude St. Sauveur is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 285 games in the World Hockey Association and 79 games in the National Hockey League between 1972 and 1979.
Rychard Campeau is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman.
The 1972–73 Philadelphia Blazers season was the first season of the Blazers' franchise in the World Hockey Association. It would also be the only season of the Blazers in Philadelphia, as the team relocated to Vancouver for the following season. The Blazers finished third and qualified for the playoffs losing in the first round to the Cleveland Crusaders.
Denis Meloche is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Drafted in the ninth round of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft by the California Golden Seals, Meloche opted to play in the WHA after being selected by the Miami Screaming Eagles in the WHA General Player Draft. He played parts of two seasons for the Blazers franchise — which had moved from Miami before their inaugural season — in Philadelphia and Vancouver. Aside from a nine-game stint with the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League (AHL) he spent his final four professional seasons with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey League, where he was named a CHL Second Team All-Star in 1974–75.
Michel Plante is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Drafted in the fifth round of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Plante opted to play in the WHA after being selected by the Miami Screaming Eagles in the WHA General Player Draft. He played parts of two seasons for the Blazers franchise — which had moved from Miami before their inaugural season — in Philadelphia and Vancouver.
Tom Cottringer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Cottringer played in two WHA games during the 1972–73 season with the Philadelphia Blazers.
Jack Chipchase is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach who played in the World Hockey Association (WHA). He played part of the 1972–73 WHA season for the Philadelphia Blazers. He served as the head coach of the Roanoke Valley Rebels of the Southern Hockey League during the 1975–76 season.
