December was another month highlighted by WHA autographs. I'm a big fan of the old Rebel League so very happy to add so many autographs from these guys.
While most of these are WHA only guys, the first few are NHL player additions. A total of 9 new NHL autographs put the NHL player total to 6,797 unique signatures for 88% of everyone to play in the league.
Roy Conacher (d. 1984)
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998, Roy Conacher has an impressive hockey resume. He has two brothers, Charlie and Lionel, who are also members of the HHOF. Roy won the Stanley Cup twice and won the 1949 Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer. He scored 426 points in 490 NHL games.
Doug Bentley (d. 1972)
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964, Doug Bentley was a point-per-game player throughout most of his NHL career. He was a multi time NHL All-Star and twice led the NHL in goals.
Adam Brown (d. 1960)
Adam Brown won the Stanley Cup in 1943 with the Detroit Red Wings. From 1941 to 1952 he scored 104 goals and 217 points in 391 NHL games. His son, Andy, became an NHL goalie.
Ernie Dickens (d. 1985)
From 1941 to 1951 Ernie Dickens played nearly 300 NHL games between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks. He won the Stanley Cup in 1942 with Toronto.
Max Domi
Unlike his father, former NHL tough guy Tie Domi, Max is a skilled forward. He's scored 250 points in five seasons in the league.
Anthony Mantha
Anthony Mantha has become a top scorer with the Detroit Red Wings. He represented Canada at the 2019 World Championships were he recorded 7 goals and 14 points in 9 games.
Brock Boeser
The Canucks drafted Brock Boeser in the first round of the 2015 NHL draft. He's nearly a point per game player through three NHL seasons with the Canucks.
Tyler Bertuzzi
Tyler Bertuzzi has scored 20 goals and 40+ points in each of his last two season with the Red Wings. He's the nephew of former NHL star Todd Bertuzzi.
A high scoring defenseman, Thomas Chabot is entering his fourth season in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators. Internationally, he's represented Canada at the World Junior Championships (2016 and 2017) and the World Championships (2018 and 2019).
Bill Zito
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Gavin McHale
Gavin McHale dressed in 1 NHL game as a backup goalie with the 2018/19 Washington Capitals.
Bill Zito never reached the NHL as a player but as an executive, he was recently named General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He's a former NHL player agent who had worked for the Blue Jackets before Florida.
Derek Harker (d. 2001)
Denis Patry
Denis Patry was a high scoring junior star in Quebec and was drafted by both the Nordiques and Canadiens. He scored 3 points in 3 career WHA games with the 1974/75 Quebec Nordiques.
Reg Krezanski
Reg Krezanski played 2 games in the WHA with the 1974/75 San Diego Mariners.
Barry Merrell
Barry Merrell recorded 4 points in 10 games with the 1976/77 Edmonton Oilers.
Derek Harker played 1 game with the 1972/73 Alberta Oilers and 27 games with the 1972/73 Philadelphia Blazers.
Bernie Blanchette (d. 2006)
Ray LaRose
Defenceman Ray LaRose spent two seasons in the WHA.
Darrell Knibbs
Darrell Knibbs scored 3 goals and 11 points in 41 games with the 1972/73 Chicago Cougars.
Norm LaPointe
Normand LaPointe played 77 games for the Cincinnati Stingers over 3 seasons in the WHA.
Gavin Kirk
Gavin Kirk played half a dozen seasons and well over 400 games in the WHA. He was a solid contributor and netted over 350 points.
Bill Hughes
Goalie Bill Hughes played 3 games in the WHA with the 1972/73 Houston Aeros. During the 1990s he spent a couple seasons in the NHL as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames.
Gary Jaquith
A University of New Hampshire product, Gary Jaquith played 2 games in the WHA with the 1975/76 San Diego Mariners.
Pierre Henry
Pierre Henry recorded 5 points in 19 games with the 1972/73 Philadelphia Blazers.
Gerry Methe
Defenseman Gerry Methe played 5 regular season and 2 playoff games in the WHA with the 1974/75 New England Whalers.
Denis Meloche
Denis Meloche scored 7 goals and 21 points in 45 WHA games with the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers. His brother, Gilles, was an NHL goalie.
Tom Milani
Tom Milani played 2 games in the WHA with the 1976/77 Minnesota Fighting Saints. He spent most of the 1980s playing in Italy, gained his citizenship and represented Italy at the 1984 Olympics.
Peter Mara
Peter Mara scored 20 goals and 48 points in just over 100 games in the WHA. He played for the Chicago Cougars, Denver Spurs and Ottawa Civics.
Camille Lapierre
Over two seasons in the WHA, Camille LaPierre scored 5 goals and 17 points in 33 games between the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers.
Bruce Landon
Bruce Landon was drafted by the LA Kings in 1969 and spent three seasons with their AHL club before singing in the newly formed WHA in 1972. Landon played well over 100 games for the New England Whalers between 1972 and 1977.
Jamie Kennedy
Jamie Kennedy scored 4 goals and 10 points in 54 WHA games with the 1972/73 New York Raiders. His brother, Forbes, was a long time NHL player.
Glen Irwin
Defenseman Glen Irwen played well over 200 games in the WHA over 5 seasons. He played for the Houston Aeros and Indianapolis Racers.
Mike Keeler
Defenseman Mike Keeler was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1970 and spent time in their system but never reached the NHL. Like many, the WHA gave a new opportunity and he played 1 game with the 1973/74 New England Whalers.
Steve King
Steve King played two seasons in the WHA, a year with the Ottawa Nationals and a year with the Toronto Toros. He scored 32 goals and 88 points in 136 regular season WHA games. He's also known for representing Canada at the 1969 World Championships.
Billy Orr
Defenseman Billy Orr spent one season in the WHA, playing 46 games with the 1973/74 Toronto Toros.
Ron Morgan
Ron Morgan played 4 regular season and 2 playoff games in the WHA with the 1973/74 Cleveland Crusaders.
Dan Justin
Defenceman Dan Justin played 23 games in the WHA with the Cincinnati Stingers.
Jean-Luc Phaneuf
Jean-Luc Phaneuf (no relation to Dion) spent a couple seasons in the WHA playing for the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls.
Pierre Paiement
Pierre Paiement netted 1 goal in 8 career games in the WHA with the 1972/73 Philadelphia Blazers.
Steve Hull
In 60 career WHA games with the Calgary Cowboys, Steve Hull scored 11 goals and 28 points. He's not related to the famous Bobby/Dennis Hull hockey family.
Ed Humphreys
Goalie Ed Humphreys spent a couple seasons in the WHA. He played for the Calgary Cowboys and Quebec Nordiques.
Bob Mowat
Bob Mowat played 1 season in the WHA, scoring 9 goals and 19 points in 53 games with the Phoenix Roadrunners.
Bill Holden
Goalie Bill Holden appeared in 1 game with the 1973/74 Winnipeg Jets and 1 game with the 1973/74 Toronto Toros.
Bill Horton (d. 1988)
Defenseman Bill Horton spent three seasons in the WHA, playing nearly 200 games. He was a member of the Cleveland Crusaders, Los Angeles Sharks and Indianapolis Racers.
Jim Park
Jim Park played 54 games in the WHA over three seasons with the Indianapolis Racers. Park also appeared in the NHL as a backup goalie with the 1980/81 New York Islanders, dressing in 3 games as their backup.
Gerry Leroux
Gerry Leroux recorded 3 points in 10 career WHA games with the 1978/79 Indianapolis Racers.
Francois Ouimet
Francois Ouimet played 25 games in the WHA between the Minnesota Fighting Saints and Cincinnati Stingers.
Paul Menard
Goalie Paul Menard backstopped the 1972/73 Chicago Cougars in one career WHA game.
Bob McAneeley
A product of the University of British Columbia, Bob McAneeley spent 3 seasons in the WHA with the Alberta/Edmonton Oilers.
Owen Lloyd
Defenseman Owen Lloyd recorded 1 assist in 3 career WHA games with the 1977/78 Edmonton Oilers.
Jim Marsh
Jim Marsh played 1 game in the WHA with the 1976/77 Birmingham Bulls.
Jim McMasters
Jim McMasters was drafted 37th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1972 but opted to sign in the WHA with the Cleveland Crusaders. He played 83 games over two seasons with Cleveland.
Mark Lomenda
Mark Lomenda spent 3 seasons in the WHA, scoring 31 goals and 92 points in 164 regular season games.
Murray Myers
Murray Myers played 150 games in the WHA between the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers and Cincinnati Stingers.
Ted Scharf
Ted Scharf spent 5 seasons in the WHA playing well over 200 games.
Terry Ryan
Newfoundlander Terry Ryan played 1 season in the WHA with the 1972/73 Minnesota Fighting Saints. He scored 13 goals in 76 games. His son, also named Terry, briefly played in the NHL.
Willie Trognitz
Willie Trognitz spent one season in the WHA with the 1977/78 Cincinnati Stingers. He recorded 3 points and 94 penalty minutes in 29 games.
Lorne Rombough
Lorne Rombough scored 1 goal and 3 points in 3 career games in the WHA with the 1973/74 Chicago Cougars. His brother, Doug, played in the NHL.
Rob Walton
Rob Walton scored 40 goals and 111 points in 150 career WHA games. He was a member of the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Vancouver Blazers and Calgary Cowboys. His brother, Mike, had a long NHL career.
Howie Heggedal (d. 2017)
Howie Heggedal scored 2 goals and 3 points in 8 games with the 1972/73 Los Angeles Sharks. He also played a playoff game for the Sharks that season.
Juhani Tamminen
Juhani Tamminen spent most of his career in his native Finland. An early European to come to North America, he spent two seasons in the WHA with the Cleveland Crusaders. He netted 60 points in 130 games with the Crusaders.
Mike Jakubo (d. 2019)
Mike Jakuba played 7 games in the WHA with the 1972/73 Los Angeles Sharks.
Frank Sanders (d. 2012)
Frank Sanders won a Silver medal at the 1972 Olympics with USA. He was a good defenseman who played a full season in the WHA with the 1972/73 Minnesota Fighting Saints. It was his only season of pro hockey as he quit to join the church and become a minister.
Bill Prentice
A Michigan Tech alumni, Bill Prentice spent parts of six seasons in the WHA. He played for the Houston Aeros, Indianapolis Racers, Quebec Nordiques and Edmonton Oilers. He won the AVCO Cup in 1974 and 1975 with Gordie Howe's Aeros.
Jim Cardiff
Jim Cardiff was a member of the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers from 1972 to 1975.
Lauri Mononen (d. 2018)
A skilled European, Lauri Mononen spent two seasons in North America. He scored 36 goals and 86 points in 142 games with the Phoenix Roadrunners.
Joe Robertson
Joe Robertson spent one season in the WHA. He played 29 games between the 1974/75 Indianapolis Racers and Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Brian Cadle (d. 2015)
Brian Cadle's only season in the WHA was with the inaugural 1972/73 Winnipeg Jets. He scored 4 goals and 8 points in 56 games with Bobby Hull's Jets.
Jim Pritchard (d. 2014)
Jim Pritchard was drafted 3rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1968 NHL draft but never played in the league. He spent a few years bouncing around the minors and played 2 games in the WHA with the 1974/75 Chicago Cougars.
Ric Jordan (d. 2001)
Defenseman Ric Jordan was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1970, attended Boston University then signed in the WHA. He spent a few seasons in the league, playing for the New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Calgary Cowboys.
Ed Pizunski
Ed Pizunski played 1 game in the WHA with the 1975/76 Denver Spurs.
Craig Reichmuth (d. 2012)
Craig Reichmuth spent 3 seasons in the WHA, scoring 50 points in 189 games.
Wally Olds (d. 2009)
Defenseman Wally Olds played with the 1972/73 New York Raiders and the 1975/76 Calgary Cowboys. He's best known for his International play, helping the US win Silver at the 1972 Olympics.
Michel Rouleau
From 1972 to 1975 Michel Rouleau played over 100 games in the WHA scoring 48 points.
Bernie Blanchette split the 1972/73 season between the Chicago Cougars and Alberta Oilers. He netted 7 goals and 14 points in 47 games during his only season in the league.
Michel Plante
Michel Plante scored 16 goals and 30 points in 92 games over two seasons in the WHA with the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers.
Guy Smith (d. 1995)
A full-blooded Mohawk from the Six Nations, over two seasons in the WHA with the New England Whalers, Guy Smith scored 4 goals and 12 points in 38 games. His son, Jessie Smith, became a PGA golfer.
John Shmyr (d. 2006)
Defenseman John Shmyr saw action in 3 WHA seasons. He was a member of the Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Cougars and Vancouver Blazers. His brother, Paul, played in the NHL.
Jim Schraefel
Jim Schraefel spent one season in the WHA playing for the 1973/74 Edmonton Oilers.
Pete Slater
Pete Slater spent two seasons playing in the WHA with the Los Angeles Sharks. He recorded 26 points in 92 games.
Cal Sandbeck
Defenseman Cal Sandbeck played 17 games in the WHA with the Edmonton Oilers.
Rick Morris
Rick Morris played over 400 games in half a dozen seasons in the WHA. He scored over 100 goals with his best seasons coming with the Chicago Cougars.
Dave Walter
From 1973 to 1976 Dave Walter recorded 5 points in 26 WHA games between the Chicago Cougars and San Diego Mariners.
Steve West
Steve West recorded 79 points in 142 regular season WHA games. He played for the Michigan Stags, Baltimore Blades, Houston Aeros and Winnipeg Jets.
Jim Troy
Jim Troy recorded 2 goals and 174 penalty minutes in 68 career WHA games between the New England Whalers and Edmonton Oilers. He later became a wrestling promoter and spent years working with the WWF.
Tom Trevelyan
Tom Trevelyan recorded 2 assists in 20 games with the 1974/75 San Diego Mariners.
Gary Williamson
Gary Williamson recorded 8 points in 9 regular season games with the 1973/74 Houston Aeros. He played a further 12 playoffs games for the Aeros that seasons but didn't record any points.
John Cunniff (d. 2002)
A member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, John Cuniff played for and coached the US Olympic hockey team. He played 65 games in the WHA, mostly with the New England Whalers. Cuniff spent time in the NHL as a head coach with the Hartford Whalers and New Jersey Devils. He was also an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins.
Ron Riley
Ron Riley spent 1 season in the WHA, playing with the 1972/73 Ottawa Nationals.
Dick Proceviat
Defenseman Dick Proceviat played over 300 games in the WHA between the Chicago Cougars and Indianapolis Racers.
Nick Sanza
Goalie Nick Sanza spent a season in the WHA with the 1975/76 Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics. He dressed as a backup with the Spurs and appeared in 1 game with the Civics.
Dave Syvret
Defenseman Dave Syvret played 58 games in the WHA over two seasons, dressing for the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls. His son, Danny, played in the NHL. 
Wow. What a post. Love the WHA stuff. I'm guessing you bought some kind of signed album ?
ReplyDeleteBernie Blanchette’s grandson here. Was wondering if there’s any way you’d part with his card?
ReplyDelete