Houston Aeros year record points coach finish Statistical Leaders 1972-73: 39-35-4 82 pts Bill Dineen 2nd, W 1973-74: 48-25-5 101 pts Bill Dineen 1st, W Season: Goals: 48, Frank Hughes (1974-75); Assists: 77, Andre Lacroix 1974-75: 53-25-0 106 pts Bill Dineen 1st, W (1977-78); Points: 113, Andre Lacroix (1977-78); Penalty Minutes: 239, John 1975-76: 53-27-0 106 pts Bill Dineen 1st, W Schella (1972-73); Wins: 39, Ron Grahame (1974-75); Shutouts: 4, Ron 1976-77: 50-24-6 106 pts Bill Dineen 1st, W Grahame (1974-75, 1976-77); Goals against average: 2.56, Don McLeod 1977-78: 42-34-4 88 pts Bill Dineen 3rd, L (1973-74). Home Rinks: Sam Houston Coliseum (9,300, 1972-75); The Summit All-time: Games: 468, Poul Popiel (1972-78); Goals: 149, Larry Lund (1972- (14,906, 1975-78); Colors: Dark Blue, Powder Blue, White; Formation: 78), Frank Hughes (1972-78); Assists: 277, Larry Lund (1972-78); Points: November 1, 1971 (Dayton OH); April 15, 1972 (transfer to Houston); 426, Larry Lund (1972-78); Penalty Minutes: 844, John Schella (1972-78); Dissolution: July 6, 1978; Ownerships: Paul Deneau, Jim Smith (1972-74), Wins: 102, Ron Grahame (1974-77); Shutouts: 12, Ron Grahame (1974-77); Irv Kaplan (1974-75), George Bolin (1975-77), Harrison Vickers, Ken Goals against average: 2.99, Ron Grahame (1974-77). Schnitzer (1977-78); General Manager: Bill Dineen. AVCO Cup Champions: 1974, 1975 Paul Deneau, a real-estate developer based on Dayton, Grahame, who replaced the departed Don McLeod. The Aeros Ohio, secured the rights to a World Hockey Association enjoyed an injury free year (no skater played in less than 70 franchise in November 1971. Within months, Deneau lost his games, except for rookie Bill Prentice) and finished atop the bid to receive municipal help in building a new stadium in heap again with a sparkling 53-25-0 record. The offense scored Dayton, and the team relocated to Houston, Texas, in April of 369 goals, with 15 of the 17 regulars scoring goals in the double 1972. Jim Smith and Robert Tate joined with Deneau to fund digits, led by Frank Hughes’ 48. Houston easily defended its the club after its move to Texas. The Houston Aeros would play crown, losing only once in 13 postseason games, and remaining at the old Sam Houston Coliseum for a couple seasons, until undefeated during the final 10 contests. the newer Summit Arena was completed in 1975. Deneau hired The 1975-76 club moved its home contests to the newly- Bill Dineen to coach, and under Dineen, the team assembled a completed Summit, and finished with a near-identical 53-27-0 squad composed mostly of second- and third-line players with mark from the previous season and another first-place berth. NHL experience or from the high minors. With this approach, Gordie Howe surpassed the 100-point mark for the second time the first-year Aeros were a tight unit that played effective in three years, and was one of five 30-goal scorers on the club. hockey, winning more than they lost. Lacking star players, the However, the Aeros were no longer the clear favorites to win Aeros got by with capable veterans like Ted Taylor (34 goals), the World Trophy. The much-improved Winnipeg Jets were up Duke Harris (30 goals) and Murray Hall (28 goals). Gord to the challenge and Houston lost in four straight in the final Labossiere led all scorers with 36 goals and 96 points, while round. long-time Western Leaguer Larry Lund proved he belonged in The Aeros finished the following year with another the big time with a 66-point campaign. The Aeros finished outstanding record of 50-24-6. Youngsters Terry Ruskowski, second in the Western Division, but lost the 1973 divisional Rich Preston, John Tonelli and Morris Lukowich replaced finals to the Winnipeg Jets. some of the old guard and played extremely competent hockey. Seeking the extra edge needed to contend for the league Sophomore Preston led the club with 38-41-79 numbers. championship, the Aeros signed 45-year old Gordie Howe to a Houston was eliminated in the playoff semifinals by Winnipeg. contract over the summer of 1973. Howe had been retired from This was also the end of the Howe era in Houston, as the three active status since 1971, but was unhappy as a figurehead Howes signed with the New England Whalers over the summer executive for the Detroit Red Wings. When the Aeros drafted of 1977. To pick up some of the slack, the Aeros signed Andre his sons, 18-year old Mark and 19-year old Marty in the 1973 Lacroix from the recently-defunct San Diego Mariners, and the Professional Draft (these selections also a source of 1977-78 club finished a respectable 42-34-4 and third place controversy: the sons were members of the Ontario League’s overall. Coach Bill Dineen was awarded his second Coach of Toronto Marlboros but because they received a weekly stipend, the Year Award for guiding a club that many felt would not were perceived as “professionals”, at least for the purposes of contend after the departure of the Howes. the draft), Gordie jumped at the chance to play alongside his The Aeros were clearly one of the classiest teams of the sons. Despite his two-year layoff and his advanced age, he had WHA, but attendance at the Summit was consistently below stayed in shape and quickly dispelled any concerns that he was average, and the Aeros suffered financially. Ownership not ready to rejoin the fray on the ice. The Howes meshed changed hands three times after 1974, and none of the three perfectly with an already sound team, and the 1973-74 Aeros subsequent owners was wealthy (or willing) enough to captured the league’s best record at 48-25-5. Gordie scored 31 overcome the losses the team incurred each year. The Aeros goals and 100 points to capture the league’s Most Valuable placed their bid to be included in the 1977 merger, but when Player award. Mark Howe scored 38 goals, while second-year that plan failed, Aeros owner Kenneth Schnitzer (1977) won men Larry Lund (33-53-86) and Frank Hughes (42-42-84) the right from the league to negotiate his own agreement for contributed well. The Aeros sailed through the playoffs to NHL admittance. capture the 1974 AVCO World Trophy, beating a tired but The 1977-78 season was a make or break year for inspired Chicago team in four straight for the crown. Schnitzer, for the Aeros were near collapse the entire season, The 1974-75 club remained unchanged from the previous almost folding near Christmas of 1977. Schnitzer campaigned year, the principal new addition being goaltender Ron hard, and his plan was broad: Either his Aeros would be 21 .