This file now contains Czech, Swedish, Team Canada and Soviet Teams from
1974 (in addition to WHA squads):

WHA 1973-74 season:

Remember - as PPG, SHG, shots, GWG, GTG, +/-, and saves were not tracked -
they are pro-rated, based upon team performance and career averages. The
competitiveness of this league is somewhat amplified form the 72-73
recreation.

All questions to: johnhorrigan@hotmail.com

"The 1973-1974 World Hockey Association season suffered the growing pains of
any fledgling league in its second season going head-to-head with an already
established major league. The inaugural euphoria was long-gone. The Cougars
stole star defenseman Pat Stapleton and forward Eric Nesterenko from the NHL
team that shared their dressing room with them at Chicago Stadium. Once
again Chicago, Los Angeles, Minnesota and New York opened the season with
franchises in both the NHL and the WHA. In 73-74, Toronto (formerly Ottawa)
and Vancouver (formerly Philadelphia) now sported two professional major
league hockey franchises as well. The Alberta Oilers, backed by scoring
leader Ron Climie (38 goals), became the WHA's greatest gift to hockey: The
Edmonton Oilers. Quebec became the northern provincial answer to the beloved
NHL Canadiens. The Raiders moved from New York to New Jersey and became the
Knights in mid-season. New England, Houston, Cleveland and Winnipeg fielded
squads for another season. 

The Crusaders were backboned by the stellar goaltending of Gerry Cheevers (4
shutouts) and the late-season acquisition of Ron Ward who propelled
Cleveland into the playoffs. Don McLeod slammed the door shut in goal for
the Houston Aeros, who amazingly pulled off a major coup: they acquired the
aging veteran and all-time great winger Gordie Howe, along with his two
sons. Five players on that team scored 30 or more goals. Marc Tardif emerged
as a goal scoring piranha (40)for the toothless L.A. Sharks. The Saints were
truly 'Fightin'. Gord Gallant, Steve Cardwell and John Arbour sat nearly ten
hours cumulatively in the sin bin. Minnesota's leading goal scorer was Mike
"Shaky" Walton (57 goals/117 points),who with Ricky Smith, was lured away
from Boston The Whalers had 9 players with 20 or more goals, topped by Tom
Webster's 43. Andre Lacroix (111 points) had 80 assists for the Knights.
Montreal Canadien dissidents Rejean Houle and J.C. Tremblay, combined with
Serge Bernier to power the Quebec club. Gilles Gratton and veteran Les
Binkley sealed the goalposts for Toronto, to augment the scoring prowess of
Wayne Carleton. Danny Lawson potted 50 goals for the Blazers and the Golden
Jet (Bobby Hull) had his second straight 50-goal campaign. 

Certainly the competition and rivalries increased in the WHA's second
season, but attendance was off 30% from the year prior. You'll be provided
with an insight into the caliber of competition in the WHA's second season
with this download. Enjoy the thrill of expansion hockey at its best!"

John Horrigan - League Re-creator