The World Hockey Association was to be revived in 2004 under the leadership of Allan Howell and Nick Vaccaro, with Bobby Hull the commissioner. The new WHA would be a World Hockey “AAAA” league, presumably fitting in between the top minor leagues and the NHL. The Association new WHA was situating itself to take advantage of the potential NHL lockout of 2004-05, 2004 filling the void and perhaps luring a number of NHL-level players to its ranks. The league held a draft in July 2004, but not long thereafter, the whole operation collapsed. No games were played, and the rights to the name were sold and the “WHA” then operated as a low- level “outlaw” amateur league in western Canada for a couple of years. These press releases are reprinted verbatim from the World parties to a complaint under Sections 75, 77, and 79 of the Hockey Association 2004 website (which is no longer Canadian Competitions Act. This matter is of national scope. available). (Apr 22, 2004) Franchise fees posted by groups in four cities: The World Senticore acquires hockey franchise in Detroit World Hockey Association Founders Committee announced that Hockey Association to Launch in November 2004: four ownership groups have posted the required franchise Senticore, Inc., a diversified public holding company, reservation fees for the 2004-05 season. Québec, Toronto, announced today the purchase of the Detroit hockey franchise Hamilton, and an unnamed U.S. market are the first four in the new World Hockey Association. Senticore Chief Exec- franchises reserved. (Feb 20, 2004) utive Officer Jay Patel says, "The acquisition of a major professional hockey franchise is a very exciting new direction Miami enters WHA fold: The Founders of the World for our company as we expand into the professional sports Hockey Association have accepted a Franchise Reservation market and an outstanding opportunity to diversify our for the city of Miami, Florida. This brings to six the number corporate holdings." of franchises for the inaugural season of the WHA which begins in late November or early December of 2004. The Senticore President Carl Gessner added, "Detroit is Miami group is headed by Dan Krusz, President of Endicott Hockeytown to the rest of North America, so it was the Media of Boston. His partners in the franchise are all based in obvious choice when we decided to become part of the South Florida. This brings to six the number of franchise WHA." When asked about the team name, Gessner agreements posted for the revived WHA. Groups from responded, "The people in Detroit know their hockey, we Toronto, Hamilton, Québec, Minneapolis, and an as yet would like them to assist us in selecting the team name." unnamed U.S. city have previously joined the league. (Apr 1, 2004) Hockey's Golden Jet, Bobby Hull, is the Commissioner of the new league. His son, Brett Hull, is a current star of the NHL's Seven franchises will take to the ice in 2004-05: The Detroit Red Wings. The senior Hull was the catalyst that gave founders of the World Hockey Association today announced instant credibility to the original WHA in 1972 when he left the formation of the new league with the registration of seven the Chicago Blackhawks to become hockey's first million- ownership groups. The ownership groups are represented by dollar player with the Winnipeg Jets. In a Windsor Star the following individuals or groups: Jean-Paul Boily article in late February, the junior Hull was quoted as saying, (Québec); Gino Naldini & John Marshall (Toronto); Rick "I'd play in the WHA. I know the commissioner. I'm sure he Munro & Ricky Smith (Vancouver or Dallas); Jay Patel could get me a spot." Other NHL players, most notably (Detroit (Pontiac)); Dan Krusz & Tim Lovell (Miami); John Philadelphia's Jeremy Roenick, have also gone on record Tyson & John Marshall (Halifax); Mario Frankovich supporting the new league. "I hope there's a team in Detroit," (Hamilton). The founders are also close to an agreement with said Detroit Red Wings goalie Manny Legace. "I'll be more a franchise group in Montréal. Advanced lease negotiations than happy to stay here and play for them." are proceeding in the following venues: Le Colisée Pepsi in Québec; SkyDome in Toronto; either GM Place in Six other groups have confirmed the purchase of WHA Vancouver or Reunion Arena in Dallas; the Silverdome in franchises for the inaugural season: Halifax, Nova Scotia; Pontiac, MI; Miami Arena; and the Metro Centre in Halifax. Québec City, Québec; Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; In the case of Hamilton, representatives of Copps Coliseum Dallas, Texas or Vancouver, British Columbia; and Miami, have terminated late stage negotiations, alleging notice from Florida. Other potentials franchises are under consideration the Hamilton Bulldogs exercising their right to exclusive use and may be approved by the WHA in the coming weeks. The of the building. The WHA is in the process of referring the WHA is set to launch their hockey season in November of matter to the Competition Bureau of Canada. The City of this year. Amidst strong speculation of a possible lockout in Hamilton, Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities the NHL, the WHA is poised to make an immediate impact in Incorporated (HECFI), Copps Coliseum, the Hamilton professional hockey all over North America next season. Bulldogs, and the American Hockey League will be named as 514 .