1972-73 WHA season
Encyclopedia
Avco World Trophy finals
New England Whalers defeated the Winnipeg Jets, 4 games to 1. The Whalers defeated the Jets 9 to 6 in the deciding game, with Larry PleauLarry Pleau
Lawrence Winslow Pleau is former senior vice president and General Manager of the St. Louis Blues. He is also a former NHL player and head coach.-High school and junior career:...
scoring a hat trick.
WHA awards
| Avco World Trophy Avco World Trophy The Avco World Trophy, also known as the Avco Cup, was the championship trophy of the original World Hockey Association . The trophy's naming rights were sold to the former Avco Corporation , a defense contractor who bought the rights to advertise their consumer finance division... : |
New England Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
| Gary L. Davidson Award: | Bobby Hull Bobby Hull Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning... , Winnipeg Jets |
| Bill Hunter Trophy Bill Hunter Trophy The Bill Hunter Trophy was presented to the World Hockey Association's scoring leader in the regular season.It was named in honour of Bill Hunter, who founded the Alberta Oilers hockey club .... : |
Andre Lacroix, Philadelphia Blazers Blazers/Cowboys (WHA) The Blazers/Cowboys were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972–1977. Originally in 1972, the franchise was to be based out of Miami, Florida, called the Miami Screaming Eagles. But due to money problems and a lack of a suitable arena, they never played a game in Miami... |
| Lou Kaplan Trophy Lou Kaplan Trophy The Lou Kaplan Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's rookie of the year.-History:Lou Kaplan was one of the original owners of the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA. On August 10, 1973, the WHA officially named its trophies after the team officials at the WHA's founding... : |
Terry Caffery Terry Caffery Terrance Michael Caffery is a retired a Canadian ice hockey forward, most notably with the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association... , New England Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
| Ben Hatskin Trophy Ben Hatskin Trophy The Ben Hatskin Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's best goaltender.It was named in honour of Ben Hatskin, who founded the Winnipeg Jets.Ben Hatskin Trophy winners have included:*1979 – Dave Dryden, Edmonton Oilers... : |
Gerry Cheevers Gerry Cheevers Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972... , Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976... |
| Dennis A. Murphy Trophy Dennis A. Murphy Trophy The Dennis A. Murphy Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's best defenceman.It was named in honour of WHA co-founder Dennis Murphy.Dennis Murphy Trophy Winners*1979 – Rick Ley, New England Whalers... : |
J. C. Tremblay, Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... |
| Paul Deneau Trophy Paul Deneau Trophy The Paul Deneau Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's most gentlemanly player.It was named in honour of Paul Deneau, founder the Dayton Aeros hockey club.Paul Deneau Trophy Winners*1979 – Kent Nilsson, Winnipeg Jets... : |
Ted Hampson Ted Hampson Edward George "Tick" Hampson was a National Hockey League centre during the 1960s and 70s.-Career:... , Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and... |
| Howard Baldwin Trophy Howard Baldwin Trophy The Howard Baldwin Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's coach of the year.It was named in honour of New England Whalers co-founder Howard Baldwin... : |
Jack Kelley, New England Whalers |
Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first major professional game in 1972–73 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):- Mike AntonovichMike Antonovich (ice hockey)Michael John "Antone" Antonovich is a former professional ice hockey player, and coach. He was selected in the ninth round of the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, 113th overall, by the Minnesota North Stars. He is currently a scout for the St...
, Minnesota Fighting Saints - Richard BrodeurRichard BrodeurRichard "King Richard, Kermit" Brodeur known to many as "King Richard", is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:...
, Quebec Nordiques - Gavin KirkGavin KirkGavin Kirk is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 422 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Calgary Cowboys, Birmingham Bulls, and Edmonton Oilers....
, Ottawa Nationals - Bruce LandonBruce LandonBruce Landon is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who is the longtime general manager and owner of the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.- Playing career :...
, New England Whalers - Bob MacMillanBob MacMillanRobert Lea MacMillan is a former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for 11 seasons from 1974–75 until 1984–85.MacMillan was drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft....
, Minnesota Fighting Saints - Michel ParizeauMichel ParizeauMichel Gérard Parizeau is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and head coach who played two seasons in the National Hockey League for the St...
, Quebec Nordiques - Rusty Patenaude, Alberta Oilers
- Gene PeacoshGene PeacoshGene Peacosh is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 367 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the New York Golden Blades, New York Raiders, New Jersey Knights, San Diego Mariners, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Indianapolis Racers.-External links:...
, New York Raiders - Ron PlumbRon PlumbRonald William Plumb is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:A Peterborough Petes junior player who won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's best defenceman in 1970, Plumb was drafted 9th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft...
, Philadelphia Blazers - Tim Sheehy, New England Whalers
Last game
The following is a list of players of note who played their final major professional game in 1972–73:- Kent DouglasKent DouglasKent Gemmell Douglas was a professional ice hockey defenceman and coach.-Early career:Douglas started his career with the Kitchener Canucks in the Ontario Hockey Association...
, New York Raiders - Bill HickeBill HickeWilliam Lawrence Hicke was a professional ice hockey player. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Hicke played for teams in the NHL, SJHL, Mem-Cup, AHL, CPHL, and the WHA...
, Alberta Oilers - Marcel PailleMarcel PailleMarcel Paille was an ice hockey goaltender. Born in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, he was a goaltender in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, played briefly for the Philadelphia Blazers in the World Hockey Association and is the owner of numerous AHL career playoff records.He died of...
, Philadelphia Blazers