The 1974–75 WHA season was the third season of the World Hockey Association. Fourteen teams each played 78 games. The WHA expanded by adding the Indianapolis Racers and Phoenix Roadrunners, and splitting into 3 divisions (Western, Eastern, and Canadian). The top two teams in each division qualified for the playoffs along with the two next best teams overall. Prior to the season, Southern California welcomed the Jersey Knights, who moved to San Diego and became the Mariners, and said goodbye to the Los Angeles Sharks, who moved to Detroit and became the Michigan Stags. Midway through the season, the Stags moved to Baltimore and became the Blades; they folded for good after the season. Chicago also folded at season’s end. Also, the New England Whalers left Boston for Hartford, but played the first half of the season in Springfield, Massachusetts until construction on the Hartford Civic Center was finished.
The NHL also expanded this season, to 18 teams, making a total of 32 clubs playing major professional hockey in North America. This number has not been surpassed, though the NHL expanded to 32 teams in 2021.
Wow – what a tremendous opportunity to own a great vintage hockey jersey. This jersey was game-issued for the 1975 WHA All-Star Game at the Edmonton Coliseum. The white Eastern Division All-Star jersey displays the screened on WHA logo on the front and reads “#5” on the reverse and shoulders sewn on in red/blue tackle twill. The tag in the hem is from Gerry Cosby Athletic Outfitters (made by Holloway) [size] M which translates to 46 according to the authentication. The jersey does not have a fight strap and it must be noted that the back features some type of yellow staining toward the bottom border.
Although designated in the authentication as for an unknown player, presumably this was made for Rejean Houle who was #5. He is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played the majority of his career with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL), also serving in a controversial stint as general manager for the Canadiens.
Authentication: The Spirit of the Game LOA
1974-75 WHA All-Star Game-Issued Jersey
| Weight | 1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Authentication |