When the announcement of a new hockey league came out, I was all for it, having seen how much the AFL had boosted the excitement and scoring for pro football.
The WHA's $1.75m dollar signing of Bobby Hull, an offer he at first thought was a joke, really got everybody's attention. "He just had a 50 goal season with da Blackhawks!" Gary Veneruzzo, St. Louis Blues rookie, was the the L.A. Sharks prize signing. Disappointingly, the Sharks stole none of the NHLers I had coveted on their behalf. When the league finally started up, there was no mainstream media coverage, so I hungrily followed the WHA box scores and later their awesome season stats. (Eight guys with 100+ pts, 1st season) "I couldn't wait for the merger."
The first of only two WHA games I attended was in 1973 at the L.A. Sports Arena. The L.A. Sharks vs. the Houston Aeros in an Avco Cup division semi-final playoff game.
I remember running down a treelined walkway from what is now called Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the arena, pointing to the ground and making the obligatory, “Oh, looks like the Maple Leaves are playing tonight” remark to whoever was within earshot. I remember the enthusiastic two thirds full stadium steadily buzzing, cheering and shouting, stirred on by the speed and pugnaciousness of the players. It was kind of minor league-ish but in good way. I recall thinking how the Forum actually was "fabulous" compared to the Sports Arena. But the Sports Arena's less fabulousness made it a more exciting and intimate hockey game. The Aeros’ uniforms looked like they were trying to emulate WWII fighter planes. I was sure I had put their star & stripes logo on many model planes I had built as a kid. The L.A. Sharks shark was not a stick biting poseur swimming in teal blue sea of San Jose coolness. It was a shark that had you in its sights, swimming in a sea of bright red blood, menacing in its directness and
simplicity. I enjoyed the game thoroughly and vowed to come back the next season. The Sharks were eliminated that night and the Aeros went on to lose the next round to The Golden Jet and his Winnipeg (regular) Jets. The Aeros signed Mr. Hockey and Sons the next season.
I never attended another Sharks game 'cause a) my heart belonged to the Kings and b) no free tickets came my way.
I remember running down a treelined walkway from what is now called Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the arena, pointing to the ground and making the obligatory, “Oh, looks like the Maple Leaves are playing tonight” remark to whoever was within earshot. I remember the enthusiastic two thirds full stadium steadily buzzing, cheering and shouting, stirred on by the speed and pugnaciousness of the players. It was kind of minor league-ish but in good way. I recall thinking how the Forum actually was "fabulous" compared to the Sports Arena. But the Sports Arena's less fabulousness made it a more exciting and intimate hockey game. The Aeros’ uniforms looked like they were trying to emulate WWII fighter planes. I was sure I had put their star & stripes logo on many model planes I had built as a kid. The L.A. Sharks shark was not a stick biting poseur swimming in teal blue sea of San Jose coolness. It was a shark that had you in its sights, swimming in a sea of bright red blood, menacing in its directness and
simplicity. I enjoyed the game thoroughly and vowed to come back the next season. The Sharks were eliminated that night and the Aeros went on to lose the next round to The Golden Jet and his Winnipeg (regular) Jets. The Aeros signed Mr. Hockey and Sons the next season.I never attended another Sharks game 'cause a) my heart belonged to the Kings and b) no free tickets came my way.
Later in the 70’s, I did however travel to a San Diego Mariners game just to see the WHA’s flagship signing and his awesome new linemates, the high scoring Swedes, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. The only thing I remember about the game is being really impressed with the Jets' zig-zaggy Euro style speedy weaving passing game and everyone waiting for and gasping at Hull ‘s huge slap shot. I also vaguely remember that the rink was sourrounded by chain link fencing in place of the normal plexiglass (Although, that might've come from a different NHL Flashback).
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