Rare WHA General Player Draft Film
I’m always on the lookout for rare and interesting sports memorabilia. Case in point, this 16mm film of the WHA General Player Draft from 1972 in Anaheim, CA. This YouTube video shows me discussing the World Hockey Association’s (WHA) draft day footage, and buying the, “WHA: Birth of a League,” film footage from a satisfied seller.
For a little more bit more on the 1972 WHA General Player Draft, here’s what icehockey.fandom.com had to say:
The 1972 WHA General Player Draft was a special draft session held on February 12th and 13th 1972 in Anaheim, California, by the World Hockey Association as a way to the 12 newly created franchises to have access to players to fill their rosters. There were two distinct events, i.e. a preliminary round and a main draft round, which lasted at least 123 rounds.
icehockey.fandom.com
For those of who may not remember the WHA, it was a professional hockey league in the 1970’s and early 80’s, which served as an alternative to the NHL. Most famously, Bobby Hull, was a marquee player who jumped ship to the upstart league, playing for the Winnipeg Jets with a much ballyhooed multi-million dollar contract.
The WHA tried to capitalize on the lack of hockey teams in a number of major American cities and mid-level Canadian cities, and also hoped to attract the best players by paying more than NHL owners would. The WHA successfully challenged the NHL’s reserve clause, which bound players to their NHL teams even without a valid contract, allowing players in both leagues greater freedom of movement. Sixty-seven players jumped from the NHL to the WHA in the first year, led by star forward Bobby Hull, whose ten-year, $2.75 million contract was a record at the time. The WHA also took the initiative to sign European players.
Wikipedia
About My Business: Buying Sports Cards and Sports Memorabilia
I’ve been in the business of buying and selling sports cards and memorabilia for a long time, but I still get excited every time I hear the phone ring. I specialize in buying hockey cards, but I am interested in all types of sports cards (CFL, NFL, NBA, MLB) and memorabilia. If you want to sell your sports card collection, phone calls are always best, (604-726-1774), but you can also email me at info@aasportscards.com. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you!
