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World Hockey Association.(League Snapshot)
- Article from:
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Hockey Digest
- Article date:
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November 1, 2004
- Author:
- Dolack, Chris
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2004 Century Publishing. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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* The World Hockey Association was launched in 1972 by Californians Dennis Murphy and Gary Davidson to be a rival to the NHL.
* The first major star to join the league was Bobby Hull, who was a star with the Chicago Black Hawks. He agreed to a contract worth around $250,000 annually in addition to a $1 million signing bonus, something unheard of in the game up to that point.
* Gordie Howe came out of retirement to play with his two sons for the Houston Aeros and later the New England Whalers.
* The WHA was an innovative league, but not everything worked. In its first season, the league used red pucks, but the paint chipped off quickly. The following season, the ...