New York Raiders

Bobby Sheehan in a Raiders uniform.

Brian Bradley in a Raiders uniform.

Raiders/ Golden Blades/ Knights/ Mariners-in-brief

The New York Raiders, the attempted flagship franchise in the World Hockey Association, seemed to have problems from day one. The WHA wanted a team in New York to bolster its media presence. As well, the Nassau Coliseum was just being completed in 1972, and its only known tenant was the ABA's New York Nets. So, the WHA thought it would fit in fine. The NHL had just placed teams in Vancouver and Buffalo, and its next expansion would be Kansas City and Washington in 1974. So, the new Raiders started talking to Nassau Coliseum about moving in for the 1972-73 season. However, William Shea was brought in by the Coliseum to help secure a "pro" (NHL) team for the arena, and the Raiders were left out. Almost immediately, the NHL granted two "hurry-up" franchises for 1972, both to combat the WHA; the Atlanta Flames and the New York Islanders, who would inhabit Nassau Coliseum. The Raiders ended up having to settle for Madison Square Garden, which was shared with the Knickerbockers (NBA) and the Rangers (NHL). Problems developed at the start, from financing, to rent, to attendance. The Garden charged an enormous rental fee, and the team played to sparse crowds in the 17,500 seat Garden. Attendance averaged 5,868 for the season, but the owners had defaulted on the team early on, and the team was league run for the last half of the season, finishing last in the Eastern Division.

New York Golden Blades

Andre Lacroix in a Golden Blades uniform. (34 K)

Another picture of Andre Lacroix in a Golden Blades Uniform.

Gene Peacosh in a Golden Blades Uniform.

Ralf Brent purchased the club off the league in 1973 and renamed it the Golden Blades, with colors of purple, white, and yellow. He soon found out why the team had ended up in receivership, as attendance was still low. Both the Rangers and Islanders outsold the Blades consistently. On November 18, 1973, the WHA intervened, dissolving the team and placing a new league run team in Cherry Hill, New Jersey for the remainder of the season. The WHA's last New York game was a 5-3 victory by the Blades over the Chicago Cougars.

Jersey Knights

The Jersey Knights played at tiny (4,000 cap.) Cherry Hill Arena to even smaller crowds. They didn't see much, as the team finished in last place again. Attendance for the combined 1973-74 season averaged 2,585. The lone bright spot was the acquisition of Andre Lacroix, who's 111 points led the club.

San Diego Mariners

Harry Howell in a Mariners Uniform (130K)

Once again the vagabond franchise was purchased off the league, this time by Joseph Schwartz, who moved the club to San Diego. This finally did the trick, as the Mariners finished in second place in the Western Division, defeating Toronto before losing to Houston. Attendance was steady, as the city embraced its new club, averaging 6,080 for the 1974-75 season at the Sports Arena. Lacroix led the club with 147 points. In 1975-76 however, defense collapsed, and the team fell to 36-38-6, and third in the Western. The Mariners made the playoffs, defeating Phoenix before losing to nemesis Houston. Schwartz however had defaulted on the team in January 1976. The Mariner players decided to continue playing nonetheless, for the good of the team, even though they were now volunteers. This paid off, as Ray Kroc purchased the club, and has his San Diego Padres management run it. The team had a winning season, but crowds were not as expected. The team lost to Winnipeg in the first round. Kroc sold the club to a Florida group planning to move it to Melbourne (Florida), but the team folded in summer 1977, as did Calgary and Phoenix. Had Kroc been patient, the team might have made the NHL in 1979.

Raiders/Golden Blades/Knights/Mariners year-by-year

Year      W     L    T     pts.    Finish       Playoffs
1972-73  33    43    2     68      6th Eastern  None
1973-74  32    42    4     68      6th Eastern  None
1974-75  43    31    4     90      2nd Western  Beat Toronto 4-2
                                                Lost to Houston 0-4
1975-76  36    38    6     78      3rd Western  Beat Phoenix 3-2
                                                Lost to Houston 2-4
1976-77  40    37    4     84      3rd Western  Lost to Winnipeg 3-4