Philadelphia Blazers
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey
franchise in the World Hockey Association
(WHA) for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, United States
.
The franchise was originally intended to be based out of Miami, Florida
(to be called the Miami Screaming Eagles
), but due to money problems, and a lack of a suitable arena, they never played a game in Miami. The franchise instead moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
where it debuted in 1972 as the Philadelphia Blazers. After only one season in Philadelphia, the team relocated to Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
for the start of the 1973–74 WHA season and became the Vancouver Blazers. Two years later the franchise was again relocated, this time to Calgary
, Alberta
where they played as the Calgary Cowboys
beginning with the 1975–76 WHA season. Two years later, the franchise folded.
were granted the rights to the Miami Screaming Eagles along with the players (namely Bernie Parent
) that were under contract with the team, from Herb Martin. Brown and Cooper then relocated to Philadelphia and renamed the team the Philadelphia Blazers. Shortly after the relocation to Philadelphia, they came to contract terms with Derek Sanderson, signing him for $2.6 million over 5 years, at the time the highest salary ever paid to a professional sports player. The signing caused a great deal of publicity, but controversy as well, as many hockey pundits asserted that Sanderson was nowhere near enough of a preeminent star to warrant such a payout.
The Blazers had high hopes going into the inaugural WHA season with such stars as Parent, Sanderson, and fellow ex-Bruin John McKenzie
, who was named the team's player-coach. But their hopes were soon dashed as McKenzie suffered an injury in a pre-season game and Parent and Sanderson also suffered from injuries. The team's first home game was also a disaster. The Zamboni
malfunctioned and took a chunk of ice out of the playing surface, forcing the game to be rescheduled. The team started out with a 1-6 record (after which McKenzie was replaced as coach by Phil Watson
). Philadelphia went on to drop a scarcely better 10 of their next 13 games, by which time Parent and McKenzie returned. By that point Sanderson was long gone. After only eight games (scoring three goals and three assists) in Philadelphia and considerable controversy, the owners paid Sanderson one million dollars to void his contract; he promptly returned to the Bruins to finish out the season.
Despite a rough early season, things actually improved for the Blazers towards the end. Ex-Philadelphia Flyer
Andre Lacroix led the league in scoring, and ex-Buffalo Sabre
Danny Lawson
scored 61 goals; they would prove over the years to be two of the WHA's brightest stars, and Lacroix eventually was the league's all-time leading career scorer. Coupled with Bernie Parent's goaltending, the team made the playoffs with a record of 38 wins and 40 losses. However, a discontented Parent left the team during the playoffs and the Blazers were swept in four by the Cleveland Crusaders
.
After the season ended, owners Brown and Cooper sold the team to Jim Pattison
and he promptly moved the team north of the border to Vancouver
, British Columbia
. The team was renamed the Vancouver Blazers.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
franchise in the World Hockey Association
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 since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
(WHA) for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The franchise was originally intended to be based out of Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
(to be called the Miami Screaming Eagles
Miami Screaming Eagles
The Miami Screaming Eagles were Miami's first attempt at a professional ice hockey team.Businessman Herb Martin bought a franchise in the World Hockey Association in 1972. The Eagles were the first to sign players from NHL clubs, such as Bernie Parent from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins...
), but due to money problems, and a lack of a suitable arena, they never played a game in Miami. The franchise instead moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
where it debuted in 1972 as the Philadelphia Blazers. After only one season in Philadelphia, the team relocated to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
for the start of the 1973–74 WHA season and became the Vancouver Blazers. Two years later the franchise was again relocated, this time to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
where they played as the Calgary Cowboys
Calgary Cowboys
The Calgary Cowboys were an ice hockey team that played two seasons in the World Hockey Association from 1975–1977. The Cowboys played at the Stampede Corral in Calgary. The franchise was founded in 1972 as the Miami Screaming Eagles, though it never played a game in Miami...
beginning with the 1975–76 WHA season. Two years later, the franchise folded.
History
In June 1972, Bernard Brown and James CooperJames Cooper
James Cooper may refer to:*James Fenimore Cooper , American writer*James Cooper , American soldier and politician*James Graham Cooper , American surgeon and naturalist...
were granted the rights to the Miami Screaming Eagles along with the players (namely Bernie Parent
Bernie Parent
Bernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
) that were under contract with the team, from Herb Martin. Brown and Cooper then relocated to Philadelphia and renamed the team the Philadelphia Blazers. Shortly after the relocation to Philadelphia, they came to contract terms with Derek Sanderson, signing him for $2.6 million over 5 years, at the time the highest salary ever paid to a professional sports player. The signing caused a great deal of publicity, but controversy as well, as many hockey pundits asserted that Sanderson was nowhere near enough of a preeminent star to warrant such a payout.
The Blazers had high hopes going into the inaugural WHA season with such stars as Parent, Sanderson, and fellow ex-Bruin John McKenzie
John McKenzie (hockey player)
John Albert "Pie, Bronco" McKenzie is a Canadian former professional hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for several seasons, most notably with the Boston Bruins where he was a member of two Stanley Cup championship teams. He also played several seasons in the World Hockey...
, who was named the team's player-coach. But their hopes were soon dashed as McKenzie suffered an injury in a pre-season game and Parent and Sanderson also suffered from injuries. The team's first home game was also a disaster. The Zamboni
Ice resurfacer
An ice resurfacer is a truck-like vehicle or smaller device used to clean and smooth the surface of an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by Frank J. Zamboni in 1949 in the city of Paramount, California...
malfunctioned and took a chunk of ice out of the playing surface, forcing the game to be rescheduled. The team started out with a 1-6 record (after which McKenzie was replaced as coach by Phil Watson
Phil Watson
Henri Phillip Watson was a professional ice hockey player and coach in the NHL.-Coaching career:Soon after retiring as a player Phil Watson became a coach...
). Philadelphia went on to drop a scarcely better 10 of their next 13 games, by which time Parent and McKenzie returned. By that point Sanderson was long gone. After only eight games (scoring three goals and three assists) in Philadelphia and considerable controversy, the owners paid Sanderson one million dollars to void his contract; he promptly returned to the Bruins to finish out the season.
Despite a rough early season, things actually improved for the Blazers towards the end. Ex-Philadelphia Flyer
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
Andre Lacroix led the league in scoring, and ex-Buffalo Sabre
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
Danny Lawson
Danny Lawson
Daniel Michael Lawson was a professional ice hockey right winger, initially in the National Hockey League, but most notably in the World Hockey Association with the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers franchise...
scored 61 goals; they would prove over the years to be two of the WHA's brightest stars, and Lacroix eventually was the league's all-time leading career scorer. Coupled with Bernie Parent's goaltending, the team made the playoffs with a record of 38 wins and 40 losses. However, a discontented Parent left the team during the playoffs and the Blazers were swept in four by the Cleveland Crusaders
Cleveland Crusaders
The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...
.
After the season ended, owners Brown and Cooper sold the team to Jim Pattison
Jim Pattison
James Allen "Jim" Pattison, OC, OBC is a Vancouver-based Canadian entrepreneur who is the president, managing director, chief executive officer, chairman and sole owner of the Jim Pattison Group, the third largest privately held company in Canada...
and he promptly moved the team north of the border to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The team was renamed the Vancouver Blazers.
Season-by-season record
- See 1972–73 Philadelphia Blazers season1972–73 Philadelphia Blazers seasonThe 1972–73 Philadelphia Blazers season was the first season of the Blazers' franchise in the World Hockey Association. It would also be the only season of the Blazers in Philadelphia, as the team relocated to Vancouver for the following season...
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team Name | GP | W | L | T | PTS | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1972–73 | Philadelphia Blazers | 78 | 38 | 40 | 0 | 76 | 288 | 305 | 1260 | 3rd, Eastern | Lost Quarterfinals (Cleveland Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976... ) |
| 1973–74 | Vancouver Blazers | 78 | 27 | 50 | 1 | 55 | 278 | 345 | 1047 | 5th, Western | Did not qualify |
| 1974–75 | Vancouver Blazers | 78 | 37 | 39 | 2 | 76 | 256 | 270 | 1075 | 4th, Canadian | Did not qualify |
| 1975–76 | Calgary Cowboys | 80 | 41 | 35 | 4 | 86 | 307 | 282 | 1064 | 3rd, Canadian | Won Quarterfinals (Quebec Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... ) Lost Semifinals (Winnipeg) |
| 1976–77 | Calgary Cowboys | 81 | 31 | 43 | 7 | 69 | 252 | 296 | 832 | 5th, Western | Did not qualify |
| Franchise totals | 395 | 174 | 207 | 14 | 362 | 1381 | 1498 | 5278 |
Philadelphia Blazers players
- Yves ArchambaultYves ArchambaultYves Archambault is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the World Hockey Association with the Philadelphia and Vancouver Blazers. In his WHA career, Archambault played in 11 games. His career goals against average was 5.05. He is currently working as a sports agent in...
G Montreal, PQ - John Bennett W Cranston, RI
- Robert Brown D Toronto, ONT
- Michel BoudreauMichel BoudreauMichel Boudreau is a retired professional Canadian ice hockey player who played in the World Hockey Association . Boudreau was selected by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft....
- Don BurgessDon Burgess (ice hockey)Don Burgess is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 446 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, San Diego Mariners, and Indianapolis Racers....
L Point Edward, ONT - Bryan CampbellBryan CampbellBryan Campbell is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 260 games in the National Hockey League and 433 games in the World Hockey Association...
C Sudbury, ONT - Rychard CampeauRychard CampeauRychard Campeau is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League in the fourth round, 53rd overall, of the 1972 NHL Entry Draft; however, he never played in that league...
D Montreal, PQ - Jim CardiffJim CardiffJim Cardiff is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 200 games in the World Hockey Association for the Philadelphia Blazers and Vancouver Blazers.-External links:...
D Dauphin, MAN - Jack Chipchase D Seaforth, ONT
- Tom Cottringer G
- Sam GellardSam GellardSam Gellard is a retired World Hockey Association player. He played 28 games for the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers.-External links:...
W Port of Spain, Trinidad - Frank Golembrosky R Calgary, ALTA
- John GravelJohn GravelJohn Gravel is a former ice hockey defenceman who played 16 seasons of professional hockey from 1962 to 1978. Gravel played eight games in the World Hockey Association during 1972–73 WHA season with the Philadelphia Blazers.-Awards:...
D Montreal, PQ - Derek Harker C Peterborough, ONT
- Pierre Henry F Montreal, PQ
- Don HerrimanDon HerrimanDon Herriman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He would play 155 games in the World Hockey Association with the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Blazers, New York Golden Blades, and New Jersey Knights.-External links:...
L Sault Ste. Marie, ONT - Dave HutchisonDave HutchisonDave Hutchison is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played for the Philadelphia Blazers and Vancouver Blazers of the World Hockey Association, plus the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks and New Jersey Devils of the NHL...
D London, ONT - André Lacroix C Lauzon, PQ
- Camille LaPierre
- Danny LawsonDanny LawsonDaniel Michael Lawson was a professional ice hockey right winger, initially in the National Hockey League, but most notably in the World Hockey Association with the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers franchise...
R Toronto, ONT - Larry MavetyLarry MavetyLarry Mavety is a former professional ice hockey player, and is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs ice hockey team of the Ontario Hockey League .-Playing career:...
D Woodstock, ONT - John McKenzie R High River, ALTA
- Denis Meloche F Montreal, PQ
- John MigneaultJohn MigneaultJohn Migneault is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 258 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, and Phoenix Roadrunners....
R Gulf Lake, SASK - Wayne Mosdell D Montreal, PQ
- Darwin Mott F Creelman, SASK
- Murray MyersMurray MyersMurray Myers is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He would play 148 games in the World Hockey Association with the Vancouver Blazers and Cincinnati Stingers.-External links:...
R - Don O'DonoghueDon O'DonoghueDonald Francis O'Donoghue was a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 147 games in the National Hockey League for the California Golden Seals...
F Kingston, ONT - Pierre Paiement
- Marcel PailleMarcel PailleMarcel Paille was an ice hockey goaltender. Born in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, he was a goaltender in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, played briefly for the Philadelphia Blazers in the World Hockey Association and is the owner of numerous AHL career playoff records.He died of...
G Shawinigan Falls, PQ - Bernie ParentBernie ParentBernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
G Montreal, PQ - Michel Plante F Drummondville, PQ
- Ron PlumbRon PlumbRonald William Plumb is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:A Peterborough Petes junior player who won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's best defenceman in 1970, Plumb was drafted 9th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft...
D Kingston, ONT - Nick PolanoNick PolanoNick Polano was the Detroit Red Wings' head coach when owner Mike Ilitch first bought the team in 1982. He later served as the team's GM....
D Sudbury, ONT - Michel RouleauMichel RouleauMichel Rouleau is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He played 115 games in the World Hockey Association with the Quebec Nordiques, Philadelphia Blazers, San Diego Mariners, Michigan Stags, and Baltimore Blades.-External links:...
L Hull, PQ - Derek SandersonDerek SandersonDerek Michael Sanderson, nicknamed "Turk", , is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is now a bank executive and restaurateur....
C Niagara Falls, ONT - Irv SpencerIrv SpencerIrvin James Spencer was a professional ice hockey player who played 73 games in the World Hockey Association and 230 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings.- References :...
D Sudbury, ONT - Claude St. SauveurClaude St. SauveurClaude St. Sauveur is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 285 games in the World Hockey Association and 79 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Indianapolis Racers, Cincinnati Stingers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, Calgary Cowboys,...
C St. Hyacinthe, PQ - Danny SullivanDanny Sullivan (ice hockey)Danny Sullivan is a former World Hockey Association for the Philadelphia Blazers and the Vancouver Blazers. He played goaltender....
G Kimberley, BC
See also
- Calgary Cowboys (WHA)
- Miami Screaming EaglesMiami Screaming EaglesThe Miami Screaming Eagles were Miami's first attempt at a professional ice hockey team.Businessman Herb Martin bought a franchise in the World Hockey Association in 1972. The Eagles were the first to sign players from NHL clubs, such as Bernie Parent from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins...
- Vancouver BlazersVancouver BlazersThe Vancouver Blazers were a professional ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973-75. The Blazers played at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, sharing the facility with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. The Blazers were owned by...
- List of Blazers/Cowboys (WHA) players
- List of WHA seasons