Los Angeles Sharks



Marc Tardif in a Sharks Uniform (206K)

Sharks/ Stags/ Blades-in-brief


The Los Angeles Sharks of the World Hockey Association, were one of the WHA's least successful teams. The idea was to put teams in all three major media markets, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. No thought was given to the fact that the two NHL entries on the California Coast, Oakland and Los Angeles, were struggling. The idea was exposure. Originally, the Los Angeles Aces were to be the designated rival of the San Francisco SeaHawks to the north. However, financing for the San Francisco SeaHawks franchise fell through, and that club was transferred to Quebec where they became the Nordiques. So, Los Angeles adopted the Sharks nickname, and went about finding players and a coach for the 1972-73 season. After naming Terry Slater as coach, they went about signing players. None of the "big names" that Los Angeles wanted could be had, so the Sharks ended up with a collection of unknowns. Playing at the Los Angeles Sports arena, former home of the Kings, they played better-than-expected hockey, drawing about 6000 for their games, sometimes hitting 12,000. The most notable thing about 1972-73 for the Sharks was that they were the only club in hockey AT ANY LEVEL that had a winning record that year, but a losing home record.

The club had high expectations for 1973-74, but things soon collapsed. Although they had a legitimate scoring threat in the form of Marc Tardif, a horrible defense helped the Sharks to a last place finish in the Western Division. Attendance sagged as the Kings were becoming competitive. Late in the season, the Sharks were sold to Detroit interests.

Michigan Stags



For 1974-75, the now renamed and relocated Michigan Stags began play at Cobo Arena in Detroit. The idea was to offer the club as an alternative to Red Wings Fans. However, the team had overextended itself in player contracts, leaving no money for advertising. Crowds of less than 2000 were evident on most nights, and the WHA's schedule maker had helped the problem by booking Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros into Cobo Arena in February. The opportunity for Red Wings fans to see Howe play was scuttled when the Stags folded on January 18, 1975, playing their last game that day in Cleveland, losing 2-1 to the Crusaders.

Baltimore Blades

The WHA, not wanting to see a franchise fold in midseason, formed the Baltimore Blades to play out the Stags' schedule. Although the team did mount an advertising campaign, few people showed up. Atrocious attendance and few victories spelled doom for the Blades. Although there was a planned move to Seattle, it never materialized, and the Blades folded in late May 1975. A dispersal draft was held in June.

Sharks/Stags/Blades year-by-year

Year      W    L    T     pts.    Finish       Playoffs
1972-73  37   35    6     80      3rd Western  Lost to Houston 2-4
1973-74  25   53    0     50      6th Western  None
1974-75  21   53    4     46      6th Western  None

Information on this page is from The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference to the World Hockey Association 1972-1979; by Scott Adam Surgent.