WHA Rebel Years
The WHA Rebel Years (1972–1979)
By Mark Martin – Curator, Sports Card Vault at Time Tunnel Trading
When the World Hockey Association dropped the puck in 1972, it wasn’t just another sports league — it was a declaration of independence from the NHL’s old guard. The WHA lured away established stars with unprecedented contracts, gave young talent a shot at the big time, and planted franchises in cities long ignored by professional hockey.
The WHA years were bold, brash, and sometimes chaotic — a seven-season experiment that produced some of the sport’s most memorable personalities and moments. Legends like Gordie Howe suited up alongside rising stars like Wayne Gretzky, whose professional debut came with the Indianapolis Racers before joining the Edmonton Oilers.
For collectors, WHA memorabilia from this era is a slice of hockey’s counterculture — from vibrant team jerseys and early player cards to rare game programs from short-lived franchises like the Cleveland Crusaders and the Ottawa Nationals. Each artifact tells a story of a league that dared to challenge the establishment and, in doing so, forever changed professional hockey.
The WHA officially merged with the NHL in 1979, but its legacy lives on — not only in the surviving franchises but in the way it reshaped player salaries, free agency, and the global reach of the sport.
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Wayne Gretzky as a 25 year old traded from the Racers (WHA) to the Oilers (NHL)
The Old Guard & The Young Upstart
The WHA wasn’t just a playground for untested talent — it was a bold stage where hockey’s greatest veterans faced off against the next generation of stars.
Bobby Hull of the Winnipeg Jets and Gordie Howe of the Houston Aeros were the league’s cornerstone legends — the “Old Guard.” Hull’s blistering slapshot and Howe’s unmatched longevity gave the WHA instant credibility, drawing fans and media that the fledgling league desperately needed.
On the other end of the ice was the “Young Upstart” — a teenage Wayne Gretzky breaking into professional hockey with the Indianapolis Racers before joining the Edmonton Oilers. His WHA debut marked the beginning of a career that would redefine the sport.
For collectors, this collision of eras is gold. Hull and Howe’s WHA-era autographs, jerseys, and programs stand alongside Gretzky’s earliest professional cards as must-have treasures. Together, they capture the essence of the WHA — a league where hockey’s past and future skated side by side.
Collector’s Tip: Dual-signed Hull/Howe memorabilia is rare, especially in WHA uniforms, and Gretzky’s WHA rookie cards remain among the most sought-after pre-merger collectibles.
A League Like No Other
Between 1972 and 1979, the World Hockey Association iced 26 different franchises — from major-market hopefuls to short-lived experiments. Teams came and went in a flash, some folding mid-season, others relocating multiple times. This constant shuffle made the WHA unpredictable, but it also gave rise to some of the most unique team identities in hockey history.
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From the Alberta Oilers to the Phoenix Roadrunners — 26 WHA franchises skated into hockey history, even if some lasted only a single season.
Legends of the WHA Hall of Fame
At the league’s heart were its stars — both the seasoned veterans who brought instant credibility and the fresh faces who would go on to dominate the sport.
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The WHA Hall of Fame roster: from legends like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Gerry Cheevers to rising stars like Wayne Gretzky and Anders Hedberg.
For collectors, this roster is a checklist of must-have memorabilia — jerseys, autographs, and cards from WHA seasons are among the most sought-after pieces in hockey’s alternative history.
The Survivors
When the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979, only four teams made the cut: the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets. Today, their NHL successors keep the WHA spirit alive — but for collectors, the true treasures are tied to those pre-merger years.
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