The Howes Join Reasonable Offer Come Along
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just a month of play. In Ottawa, the Nationals drew so poorly that the team was looking to move should any The Howes Join reasonable offer come along. In January 1973, they First Hints of Merger almost did, to Milwaukee, but the deal could not be closed, and the Nationals stayed in Ottawa, finally winning a core of fans after a strong finish to their season, only to move to Toronto for the 1973 playoffs. As remarkable as the signing of Bobby Hull had Despite the problems, the WHA had a successful been in July 1972, the WHA again stunned the hockey inaugural season, in that all the teams survived and the world by signing Gordie Howe—the game’s all-time league did not lose as much money as expected. The leading scorer—to the Houston Aeros in June 1973. league was getting by on its novelty interest, and the Howe had retired as a player in 1971 after 25 seasons in performances of its star players such as Hull, Cheevers, Detroit, now in a figurehead managerial position with the Parent and Tremblay. However, many other players team. But the desire to play was still there, and Howe, previously buried in the minor leagues or on NHL who was in top physical condition at age 45, was eager benches emerged as stars in the WHA. Andre Lacroix to return. In 1973, his sons, Marty and Mark, were 19 and Danny Lawson, both capable yet unknown players and 18 years old, top prospects in the Ontario Hockey in the NHL, teamed to form a highly-potent forward line League, but too young for the NHL’s amateur draft. The in Philadelphia, Lawson leading the league in goals and WHA was not against signing teenagers, and the Lacroix in points. Ron Ward, who had scored just 2 goals possibility of signing both, along with their dad Gordie, for Vancouver in 1971-72 playing defense, or on the was too enticing to dismiss. The Howe family had a plan. checking line, or often not at all, erupted for 51 goals Colleen Howe, Gordie’s wife, queried the WHA playing for New York. The New England Whalers about her sons signing professionally with the WHA, featured no superstars but a balanced team of former arguing that they were technically professionals after NHLers and newcomers to win 46 games and the league receiving weekly stipends while playing for the Toronto championship, besting the Winnipeg Jets in six games. Marlboros (OHA Jr). When she received word that she The WHA altered some rules to present a slightly had a strong argument for her case, the Houston Aeros, different product from the National Hockey League. Tie coached by Gordie’s old teammate and friend Bill games at the end of regulation play went to a 10-minute Dineen, selected Mark and Marty in the 1973 sudden-death overtime. Restrictions against maximum Professional Player Draft, thus bypassing the amateur blade curvature were relaxed, allowing players to use a draft and its age restrictions. blade with a 1.25 inch (3 cm) bend, as opposed to the The plan, of course, was to have Gordie Howe NHL’s maximum 0.5 inch (1.3 cm). Also, a two-line himself come out of retirement and play alongside his pass, normally an offside pass outlawed in the NHL, was sons. When the 45-year old star signed with Houston on allowed under certain conditions in the WHA. A player June 5, 1973, many viewed it as a publicity stunt, afraid in his defensive zone was allowed to pass across the blue that the older Howe might embarrass himself after two line and the center red line to a teammate as long as his years away from the ice. But Gordie played brilliantly, teammate was preceded by the puck across the red line. no doubt thrilled to be throwing elbows again and sliding These “breakout” passes often produced breakaways pucks to his sons. He accrued 100 points in 1973-74, when used skillfully. Also during 1972-73 and 1973-74, leading the Aeros to the league’s second championship icing the puck by a short-handed team was not allowed, in 1974. The Howes would eventually stay together as a unless the puck was brought out past the defensive blue- unit for six seasons, and in 1979-80 Gordie Howe would line first. This requirement was dropped for 1974-75. A play a full season in the NHL, aged 52, alongside his shootout to decide tie games after the overtime period sons in Hartford. was considered and tried once in a 1972 preseason game, With Howe’s signing, the WHA had another player but voted down, while removal of the center red line in of enormous star status and fan appeal on which it could 1974 was considered, but not implemented. rest its fortunes. Wherever the Jets (Hull) or the Aeros Meanwhile, the NHL would have nothing to do with (Howe) went, the media followed and the games were the WHA. The WHA’s successful lifting of top talent usually sold out. Certainly, having the two all-time from the NHL further soured the NHL on its rival, and leading NHL scorers in its league was a scenario not the elder league was content to wait out (and out-litigate) even the most visionary WHA builder could have the WHA. Still, despite the hopes of the ardent anti- foreseen. The league ended its second year having WHA crowd in the NHL, the WHA was almost certainly improved on its attendance from the first year, and in going to play a second season, and more players from the healthy spirits. NHL were sure to jump. The WHA still had the on-going concern of financially weak teams, the two weakest being in the two 6 .