1973-74 WHA: HOWE FAMILY LEADS HOUSTON TO FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Hockey Association made one of its biggest statements during its second season by bringing Gordie Howe out of retirement to play alongside his sons, Mark and Marty, with the Houston Aeros.

At age 45, “Mr. Hockey” proved he was far more than a promotional attraction. Howe scored 31 goals, recorded 69 assists and reached 100 points for the second time in his professional career. He was named the WHA’s Most Valuable Player while leading Houston to a 48-25-5 record and a league-best 101 points.

Mark Howe immediately became a star in his own right. The 18-year-old scored 38 goals and 79 points and was named the WHA’s Rookie of the Year. Marty Howe joined his father and brother on a deep Houston roster that also featured Frank Hughes, who scored 42 goals, and Larry Lund, who recorded 86 points.

The Aeros combined that firepower with the league’s best defense. Goaltender Don McLeod won 33 games, posted a 2.56 goals-against average and received the Ben Hatskin Trophy as the WHA’s top goaltender. Houston scored 318 goals while allowing only 219.

The Aeros swept Winnipeg in the opening round of the playoffs and defeated the Minnesota Fighting Saints in six games to reach the Avco World Trophy Final. Their opponent was the Chicago Cougars, who had finished fourth in the East Division before upsetting first-place New England and second-place Toronto in consecutive seven-game series.

Chicago’s surprising run ended against Houston. The Aeros swept the Cougars in four games, outscoring them 22-9 to win the first of two consecutive WHA championships.

Minnesota’s Mike Walton led the WHA with 57 goals and 117 points. André Lacroix recorded a league-best 80 assists and 111 points for New York/New Jersey. Winnipeg’s Bobby Hull scored 53 goals, while Vancouver’s Danny Lawson reached 50.

The season also featured plenty of the unpredictability that made the WHA so memorable. The Philadelphia Blazers relocated to Vancouver before the season, while the New York Golden Blades moved to New Jersey after twenty games. On the ice, New England won the East Division, Toronto scored 304 goals, Minnesota produced a league-high 332, and Chicago emerged from fourth place to reach the championship round.

Pat Stapleton of Chicago was named the league’s top defenseman, while former NHL stars such as Gerry Cheevers, J.C. Tremblay, Ralph Backstrom and Frank Mahovlich joined Howe and Hull in giving the young league instant credibility.

The six carded teams Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, New England, and Toronto. As always, the remaining teams will be available for customers to print on their own as a downloadable file.

With 12 colorful teams, wide-open offenses and one of the greatest players in hockey history returning to play with his sons, the 1973-74 WHA season offers a unique experience for any Strat-O-Matic coach.

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