The Bulls franchise started off in 1972 as the Ottawa Nationals and after 1 season relocated to Toronto to become the Toros. Then in 1976 they moved to Birminham, Alabama to become the Bulls and when merger talks were started they were one of 7 teams considered for entry into the NHL, but eventually they were not chosen. Notable players were Rick Vaive, Michel Goulet, Rob Ramage and Rod Langway.
2. Los Angeles
Answer: Sharks
The Sharks were a charter member of the WHA in 1971. They were originally slated to be the Los Angeles Aces but, when the San Francisco Sharks failed to materialize, they took the name Sharks. The most notable player for the Sharks was Alton White who was the 2nd black player to play in a major hockey league(Willie O'Ree being the first).
3. Denver
Answer: Spurs
The Spurs were an expansion team in 1975 but fan interest in the WHA was apathetic at best and they ended up moving to Ottawa after 34 games; then after 2 weeks they folded altogether. The sad thing is that they played in front of sellout crowds in their two home games, the sale of the team to a group in Ottawa fell through and the team folded mid season.
The most notable player with the Spurs was Ralph Backstrum who was better known for his time with the Montreal Canadiens.
4. Calgary
Answer: Cowboys
The history of the Cowboys began in Miami in 1972 as the Screaming Eagles but they were unable to, pardon the pun, get off the ground and moved two more times (Philadelphia and Vancouver) before settling The team folded in 1977.in Calgary. Most notable players were Danny Lawson and Ron Chipperfield.
5. Phoenix
Answer: Roadrunners
The Roadrunners came into the league for the 1974-75 season and enjoyed a modicum of success. The most notable player was Robbie Ftorek.
6. New York
Answer: Raiders
The Raiders were a charter member of the WHA in 1971. When they failed to get the rights to play in the Nassau Colosseum they were forced to play in Madison Square Garden under draconian conditions. When they failed to draw in the first season the team was sold and re-branded as the Golden Blades but they fared no better and ended up moving after 20 games to a new city, San Diego.
The team folded in 1977. The most notable player was Andre Lacroix who was a WHA legend and played for many teams and is the league's all time leading scorer.
7. Houston
Answer: Aeros
The Aeros, a charter member of the WHA in 1971, were originally supposed to play in Dayton, Ohio as the Arrows but moved to Houston before the opening season. They enjoyed a successful existence winning 2 AVCO Cups but when it became clear they weren't going to be one of the teams to get into the NHL they folded after the 1977-78 season.
The most notable players were the Howe family: Gordie, Mark, and Marty. Gordie of course is the Babe Ruth of the NHL but his son Mark also enjoyed a Hall of Fame career in the NHL. If they would ever include Gordie Howe's NHL numbers into the record books no one, not even the great Wayne Gretzky would ever catch his point totals.
8. Edmonton
Answer: Oilers
The Oilers were a charter member of the WHA in 1971 and one of the four teams absorbed into the NHL when the leagues agreed to merge ion 1979: Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets. They are the only WHA franchise that has not relocated after they joined the NHL.
They were a decent team in the WHA reaching the finals only once in the final season, 1978-79, but once in the NHL they became a dynasty winning 5 Stanley Cups and are by far the most successful of the former WHA franchises. Of course their most notable player is the Great Wayne Gretzky.
9. Philadelphia
Answer: Blazers
The Blazers were one of the 12 charter members of the WHA in 1971. Originally founded as the Miami Screaming Eagles they were unable to find a suitable venue to play in so they were sold to trucking magnate Bernie Brown and moved to Philadelphia. They only lasted one season before moving to Vancouver.
Their most notable players are Bernie Parent, Danny Lawson, John "Pie" McKenzie, Derek Sanderson, and Andre Lacroix.
10. Cincinnati
Answer: Stingers
The Stingers began play in 1975 and lasted until the league ended in 1979. They were in the running to be absorbed into the NHL and would have, with the Birmingham Bulls, had the NHL taken six teams but ultimately they were not. Most notable players were Mark Messier, Mike Liut, Robbie Ftorek, and Mike Gartner.
11. San Diego
Answer: Mariners
This was the final stop in the odyssey of this franchise which originated in NY. The Mariners was once owned by the late owner of the San Diego Padres and the founder of McDonald's Ray Kroc. The most notable player for the Mariners was, yes, Andre Lacroix.
12. Ottawa
Answer: Nationals
The Nationals were a charter member of the WHA in 1971. They enjoyed some success in their 1 season in Ottawa before moving.
13. Cherry Hill, NJ
Answer: Knights
The Jersey Knights only played half a season in NJ before moving west in 1974 to San Diego. They were doomed from the start not only because of their time in NYC but even though they played in Southern NJ in the Philadelphia suburb of Cherry Hill TV and radio was still in the NY market.
Their arena was also not up to par. The rink had a slight slope to it so the visiting team was skating uphill 2/3rds of the game. Throw in the fact that the Flyers were on the brink of winning the Stanley Cup and like that there just wasn't a market for the Knights.
Their most notable player was, you guessed it, Andre Lacroix.
14. Cleveland
Answer: Crusaders
The Crusaders, a charter member of the WHA in 1971, were originally supposed to be the Calgary Broncos; but it fell through so they moved the franchise to Cleveland and became the Crusaders. Most notable player was former and future Boston Bruin great Gerry Cheevers.
15. Minnesota
Answer: Fighting Saints
Another charter member of the WHA, were one of the more successful teams but like most teams in this league ran into money problems and folded before the end of the 1975-76 season. Before that they were a perennial playoff team even in their final season they were headed for the playoffs.
After folding another iteration of the Saints were brought in but they, too, folded after only half a season. Notable players for the Saints are Paul Holmgren, the Carlson brothers Jack, Jeff, & Steve where Jack and Steve reached a level of fame being 2/3rds of the Hansen's in the movie Slap Shot.
The 3rd Hansen brother was also played by a former Saints player Dave Hansen. Craig Patrick who was Herb Brooks' assistant coach for the Miracle on Ice USA hockey team also played for the Saints.
16. Indianapolis
Answer: Racers
The Racers began play in 1974 and lasted until 25 games into the 1978-79 season. They once won the Eastern Division in 1979-76. Two notable players for the Racers were Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier who both began their careers as teenagers for the Racers.
17. Chicago
Answer: Cougars
A charter member of the WHA, the Cougars had a rough first season but in their 2nd season they reached the finals. However, playing venues became a problem and the team folded after the 1974-75 season. Notable players were Dave Dryden, brother of hall of famer Ken Dryden, original Philadelphia Flyer Lou Angotti, and 5 time Stanley Cup champion Ralph Backstrum.
18. Quebec
Answer: Nordiques
A charter member of the WHA, the Nordiques were one of the more stable and consistent teams winning an AVCO Cup and were 1 of the 4 teams absorbed into the NHL. They're one of the two WHA franchises to win both the AVCO Cup and the Stanley Cup; which they did after they moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. Most notable players were JC Trembley & Marc Tardiff.
19. Winnipeg
Answer: Jets
A charter member of the WHA, the Jets made the biggest splash when they signed NHL legend Bobby Hull making Hull the biggest pick up from the established NHL. They were absorbed into the NHL in 1979 but are the only one of the 4 franchises never to win the Stanley Cup although they did win 3 AVCO Cups.
They were the first major league hockey club to bring in Scandinavian players when they signed Ulf Nielsen and Anders Hedberg. Once in the NHL the Jets, while being somewhat competitive making the playoffs several times they would move to Arizona to become the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes.
After the 2023-24 season the Coyotes ceased operations (technically); while the players moved onto become the Utah Hockey Club. If the NHL returns to Arizona the Coyotes franchise will be resurrected. Most notable WHA players were Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg, Ulf Nielsen, and Willie Lindstrum.
20. New England
Answer: Whalers
A charter member of the WHA in 1971, the Whalers were a perennial playoff team making the playoffs in every season of the WHA, winning the first ever AVCO Cup. They were one of the 4 franchises absorbed into the NHL in 1979. Thanks to their iconic logo and mascot "Pucky" The Whale, the Whalers developed a cult following that exists to this day; even though the franchise relocated to North Carolina to become the Hurricanes.
They are the only other franchise aside from the Nordiques to win both the AVCO Cup and Stanley Cup. Most notable players were the Howe's(Gordie, Marty, and Mark), John "Pie" McKenzie, and yep, Andre Lacroix.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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