Strat-O-Matic proudly unveils the inaugural season of the WHA with the debut of 1972–73. A true “start-up” in every sense, the WHA’s first year delivered surprising parity, breakout stars, and the birth of a new era of hockey.

Twelve teams took the ice in that historic debut, including several franchises that would become WHA, and later NHL, staples. No team captured attention more than the Winnipeg Jets, who stunned the hockey world by signing Bobby Hull away from the NHL with a $1 million contract, an enormous sum that was biggest in hockey history at the time. Even after missing the first fifteen games due to NHL lawsuits, Hull still delivered in full, posting 51 goals and 52 assists in just 63 games. Hull was joined by fellow 100-point scorers Norm Beaudin (38-65-103) and Christian Bordeleau (47-54- 101) as the Jets roared to a 43–31–4 record to win the West Division. Hull won the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

The Jets weren’t the only offensive force: the New England Whalers emerged as the league’s most consistent club, scoring 318 goals and capturing the regular-season crown with a 46–30–2 record. Led by Tom Webster’s 53 goals, Terry Caffery’s 100-point breakout, and solid goaltending from Al Smith, the Whalers cruised through the playoffs and captured the first-ever Avco World Trophy. The Philadelphia Blazers were electric, but chaotic. While plagued by instability (including an early coaching change), they still boasted WHA scoring champ Andre Lacroix, whose 124 points led the leagues, and Danny Lawson (61-45-106), who was the league’s only 60 goal scorer. Philadelphia would relocate before the start of the 1973 WHA season. The Los Angeles Sharks, in contrast, brought gritty West Coast hockey to the league with a bruising style anchored by Gary Veneruzzo (43 goals) and the goaltending of George Gardner.

Over in the Midwest, the Cleveland Crusaders were anchored by veteran Gary Jarrett (40 goals) and former NHL All-Star Gerry Cheevers, who brought big-league goaltending to the fledgling league and finished with a league-leading 2.84 goals against average.

Former Canadiens star J.C. Tremblay led the league with 75 assists en route to being named the league’s top defenseman for Quebec. Ron Ward is the only 100 point scorer without a physical card in the set. His 118 points led the New York Raiders. This card set features the six core teams: Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New England, Philadelphia, and Winnipeg, each printed and ready for tabletop play. The remaining teams, along with additional players and depth for all clubs, are available as downloadable print files in your Strat-O-Matic account. The carded teams give gamers access to replay the division finals and the top three teams in each division.

The 1972–73 WHA season is a must-have for hockey historians, Strat collectors, and fans eager to relive the beginning of a league that helped redefine professional hockey.

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18 cards per team. Additional players – and all teams – available on the print file download that comes with card set.