World Hockey Association

The World Hockey Association () was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League (NHL) since the end of the Western Hockey League after the 1925-26 WHL season. Although the WHA was not the first league since that time to attempt to challenge the NHL's hold as the top league, it was by far the most successful. 

Hockey Hall of Famers
List of WHA players and executives inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, for achievements in their hockey career.

Andy Bathgate, Vancouver Blazers
Gerry Cheevers, Cleveland Crusaders
Mike Gartner, Cincinnati Stingers
Michel Goulet, Birmingham Bulls
Wayne Gretzky, Indianapolis Racers, Edmonton Oilers
Gordie Howe, Houston Aeros, New England Whalers
Bobby Hull, Winnipeg Jets
Dave Keon, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Indianapolis Racers, New England Whalers
Rod Langway, Birmingham Bulls
Frank Mahovlich, Toronto Toros, Birmingham BullsMark Messier, Cincinnati Stingers, Indianapolis Racers
Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Blazers
Jacques Plante, Edmonton Oilers
Bud Poile, WHA Executive Vice-President
Marcel Pronovost, Coach-Chicago Cougars
Maurice Richard, Coach-Quebec Nordiques
Glen Sather, Edmonton Oilers
Norm Ullman, Edmonton Oilers

Trophies and Awards
This is a list of the trophies and awards handed out annually by the World Hockey Association.
Avco World Trophy - Awarded to the playoff champion
Gary L. Davidson Award / Gordie Howe Trophy - Most valuable player of the regular season
Bill Hunter Trophy - Leading scorer of the regular season
Lou Kaplan Trophy - Rookie of the year
Ben Hatskin Trophy - Best goaltender
Dennis A. Murphy Trophy - Best defenseman
Paul Deneau Trophy - Most gentlemanly player
Howard Baldwin Trophy / Robert Schmertz Memorial Trophy - Coach of the year
WHA Playoff MVP - Most valuable player in the playoffs

Timeline of teams
Three Canadian teams completed all seven WHA seasons based in the same city, and were the same three Canadian teams that ultimately joined the NHL. The other WHA team to enter the NHL, the Whalers, were the only other WHA team to play all of its home games over seven seasons within a relatively small geographical area. Of the original 12 WHA franchises, only the Winnipeg Jets remained for all seven seasons without relocating, changing team names, or folding.

 Franchise Cities/Names Years Fate Alberta/Edmonton Oilers Alberta Oilers 1972–1973 Joined NHL, 1979,as Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers 1973–1979 Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars 1972–1975 Folded, 1975 Cincinnati Stingers Cincinnati Stingers 1975–1979 Folded, 1979 Calgary BroncosCleveland CrusadersMinnesota Fighting Saints Calgary Broncos (never played) 1972 Folded, 1977 Cleveland Crusaders 1972–1976 Minnesota Fighting Saints 1976–1977 Denver SpursOttawa Civics Denver Spurs 1975–1976 Folded, 1976 Ottawa Civics 1976 Dayton ArrowsHouston Aeros Dayton Arrows (never played) 1972 Folded, 1978 Houston Aeros 1972–1978 Indianapolis Racers Indianapolis Racers 1974–1978 Folded, 1978 Los Angeles AcesLos Angeles SharksMichigan StagsBaltimore Blades Los Angeles Aces (name changed after San Francisco moved) 1972 Folded, 1975 Los Angeles Sharks 1972–1974 Michigan Stags 1974–1975 Baltimore Blades 1975 Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints 1972–1976 Folded, 1976 New England Whalers New England Whalers 1972–1979 Joined NHL, 1979,as Hartford Whalers(now Carolina Hurricanes) New York Raiders/Golden BladesJersey KnightsSan Diego Mariners New York Raiders 1972–1973 Folded, 1977 New York Golden Blades 1973 Jersey Knights 1973–1974 San Diego Mariners 1974–1977 Ottawa NationalsToronto TorosBirmingham Bulls Ottawa Nationals 1972–1973 Folded, 1979 Toronto Toros 1973–1976 Birmingham Bulls 1976–1979 Miami Screaming EaglesPhiladelphia BlazersVancouver BlazersCalgary Cowboys Miami Screaming Eagles (never played) 1972 Folded, 1977 Philadelphia Blazers 1972–1973 Vancouver Blazers 1973–1975 Calgary Cowboys 1975–1977 Phoenix Roadrunners Phoenix Roadrunners 1974–1977 Folded, 1977 San Francisco SharksQuebec Nordiques San Francisco Sharks (never played) 1972 Joined NHL, 1979,as Quebec Nordiques(now Colorado Avalanche) Quebec Nordiques 1972–1979 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Jets 1972–1979 Joined NHL, 1979,as Winnipeg Jets(now Arizona Coyotes)

WHA All-Star Game
Every season of the World Hockey Association had an All-Star game, but the format had changed with regularity. 

 1972-73 Eastern Division vs Western Division contest.
 1973-74 Eastern Division vs Western Division contest.
 1974-75 Eastern Division vs Western Division contest.
 1975-76 Canadian-based teams (5) vs US-based teams (9).
 1976-77 East played West.
 1977-78 AVCO Cup champion (Quebec Nordiques) vs WHA All-Star team.
 1978-79 WHA All-Star team vs Dynamo Moscow in a three game series.

References

Other websites
Internet Hockey Database - standings and statistics
http://whauniforms.com

Category:1972 establishments in North America
Category:1979 disestablishments in North America
Category:World Hockey Association