(via Captain Carl’s Daily Blarrrg)
While we’re on the topic of defunct professional sports leagues…
The teams of the WHA:
Teams in bold were absorbed into the NHL.
- Alberta Oilers (1972-79, renamed Edmonton Oilers in 1973)
- Chicago Cougars (1972-75)
- Cincinnati Stingers (1975-79)
- Calgary Broncos (never played) / Cleveland Crusaders (1972-76) / Minnesota Fighting Saints II (1976-77)
- Denver Spurs (1975-76) / Ottawa Civics (1976)
- Dayton Aeros (never played) / Houston Aeros (1972-78)
- Indianapolis Racers (1974-78)
- Los Angeles Sharks (1972-74) / Michigan Stags (1974-75) / Baltimore Blades (1975)
- Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972-76)
- New England Whalers (1972-79)
- New York Raiders (1972-73, renamed New York Golden Blades in 1973) / New Jersey Knights (1973-74) / San Diego Mariners (1974-77)
- Ottawa Nationals (1972-73) / Toronto Toros (1973-76) / Birmingham Bulls (1976-79)
- Miami Screaming Eagles (never played) / Philadelphia Blazers (1972-73) / Vancouver Blazers (1973-75) / Calgary Cowboys (1975-77)
- Phoenix Roadrunners (1974-77)
- San Francisco Sharks (never played) / Quebec Nordiques (1972-79)
- Winnipeg Jets (1972-79)
…I actually went to a few Cleveland Crusaders games.
I remember seeing a NY Golden Blades game on TV as a kid. There was a Phoenix Roadrunners hockey team that played in the IHL (Int’l Hockey League) from ’89 through ’97, but they weren’t the same team as the ’74-’77 Roadrunners. (Ironically, there’s now a third Phoenix Roadrunners team in the ECHL; the name just will not die.
)