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    List of WHA broadcasters

    From Wikipedia - Reading time: 12 min

    After CBS lost the American television rights of the National Hockey League to NBC following the 1971-72 season (CBS was paying less than $2 million a year and NBC jumped to $5.3 million[1]), the network covered[2] the inaugural season of the World Hockey Association.[3] The WHA's TV deal[4] permitted it to sell week‐night games to other networks (CBS meanwhile, would show games on Sunday afternoons in addition the all-star game and playoffs[5]). In addition, the WHA also sold a $3‐million package to Canada. On January 7, 1973, CBS aired its first WHA game between the Minnesota Fighting Saints and Winnipeg Jets live from the new St. Paul Civic Center with Ron Oakes, Gerry Cheevers and Dick Stockton announcing.

    Local broadcasters[edit]

    See also: Historical NHL over-the-air television broadcasters
    Team Radio station Radio announcers Television station Television announcers
    Baltimore Blades WCBM WMAR
    Birmingham Bulls WAPI Eli Gold[6] WBRC
    Calgary Cowboys CFAC Eric Bishop[7][8] CFAC
    Chicago Cougars WTAQ Howard Balson, Bud Kelly WSNS Brad Palmer (1972–73),[9] Red Rush (1973–75),[10] and Bobby Hull[11]
    Cincinnati Stingers WKRC Andy MacWilliams[12][13] WXIX
    Cleveland Crusaders WWWE Steve Albert (1972-75)[14][15] and Lee Hamilton (1975-76)[16] WUAB[17]
    Denver Spurs KLZ KOA
    Edmonton Oilers CJCA Bryan Hall[18] and Rod Phillips[19] CFRN Al McCann[20] and Bruce MacGregor
    Houston Aeros KIKK KHTV Jerry Trupiano[21] and Jack Stanfield[22]
    Indianapolis Racers WNDE Bob Lamey[23] WLWI
    Los Angeles Sharks KNX KTTV
    Michigan Stags WWJ[24] Gary Morrel and Norm Plummer WXON Vince Doyle and Marty Pavelich
    Minnesota Fighting Saints WLOL Frank Buetel[25], Roger Buxton, Bill Allard[26], and Bob Halvorson WTCN[27] Frank Buetel and Roger Buxton
    New England Whalers WHDH
    WTIC     		Dave Martin, John Moynihan[28], Bill Rasmussen, Ron Ryan, Bob Neumeier, Dennis Randall, and John Hewig WKBG[29][30]
    WFSB
    Connecticut Public Television[31]     		John Carlson[32], Tim Horgan, Stan Fischler[33], Shirley Fischler, Bob Neumeier[34], Bill Rasmussen[35], Dennis Randall[36], and John Hewig
    New York Golden Blades WMCA John Sterling[37] and Fritz Peterson[38][39] WNEW
    Ottawa Civics
    Ottawa Nationals     		CKOY TVOntario
    Philadelphia Blazers WIBG (Vancouver Blazers) (CJJC)[40] WKBS
    Phoenix Roadrunners KOY Al McCoy[41] KPHO
    San Diego Mariners KOGO Roy Storey KCST
    Toronto Toros CFRB William Stephenson[42] CKGN
    Winnipeg Jets CJOB[43] Ken Nicholson[44][45] and Don Wittman Don Wittman[46][47]

    Notes[edit]

    • Chicago Bulls basketball began airing on channel 44 in 1973; WSNS-TV broadcast the Bulls' full 41-game road schedule, making the Bulls the only NBA team at the time with every road game broadcast on television.[48][49] That same year, channel 44 began airing World Hockey Association hockey with the Chicago Cougars[50][51]. The Cougars and Bulls were called by Lorn Brown.[52]
    • The Michigan Stags' radio station was WWJ 950. Gary Morrel was play-by-play announcer while Norm Plummer handled color commentary. (At least one broadcast had only two sponsors mentioned: Nolwood Chemical, a company owned by the Stags' owners, and the Stags themselves.) Michigan played just one game on local television: the season opener against the Indianapolis Racers, broadcast live from Indianapolis on WXON Channel 20. Detroit radio icon Vince Doyle called play-by-play and former Red Wing Marty Pavelich was the color commentator. The Stags won the game, 4-2, but few saw it; the Stags were up against game five of the 1974 World Series. Eight other games were scheduled to be televised but money became a problem by mid-November, especially after Michigan lost 11 of their next 12 following their season-opening win.
    • Games of the original Minnesota Fighting Saints were heard on WLOL Radio (1330 AM) from 1972 to 1976, with Frank Buetel as play-by-play announcer. Buetel was the original TV voice of the NHL's Minnesota North Stars from 1967 to 1970 on WTCN-TV (now KARE-TV). Buetel's color commentators included Roger Buxton and Bob Halvorson, the Saints' first-season public relations director (1972–73), and Bill Allard (1973–76). Al Hirt's version of "When the Saints Go Marching In" was used as the theme song for WLOL's Fighting Saints broadcasts. No local radio station carried games of the New Fighting Saints (1976–77). Fighting Saints games were televised sporadically on WTCN from 1973 to 1975. The first WTCN game was a home contest versus Cleveland on December 23, 1973, with Buetel and Allard simulcasting. Buxton called subsequent games on WTCN. In the 1973–74 season, one Saints home game was carried on KTCA-TV (PBS). No local TV station aired games of the New Fighting Saints.
      • WLOL carried University of Minnesota sports for many years. Ray Christensen announced Gopher football until the mid-1960s, when he moved to WCCO and continued as the Gophers' announcer. Frank Buetel announced Gopher football, hockey and basketball games in the 1970s. From 1972 to 1976, WLOL aired games of the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association, with Buetel announcing.
    • In 1974, Bill Rasmussen moved south to Hartford, Connecticut, to join the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association as their communications director. At the conclusion of the 1977–78 season, Rasmussen was fired by the Whalers. Thus began the pursuit of ESPN, incorporating the fledgling network on July 14, 1978.[53]
      • Bob Neumeier's first job in broadcasting began in 1975 on WTIC in Hartford, Connecticut, where he called play-by-play of the Whalers, working with Bill Rasmussen and Larry Pleau; among their calls was the famous "Brawl at the Mall" in April 1975 during a playoff series with the Minnesota Fighting Saints.[54] In 1979, Neumeier left the Whalers to become the sports anchor at WFSB in Hartford.

    See also[edit]

    • List of Edmonton Oilers broadcasters
    • List of Hartford Whalers broadcasters
    • Quebec Nordiques#Broadcasters
    • List of Winnipeg Jets broadcasters

    References[edit]

    1. ^ Craig, Jack. "NHL finds NBC coverage more to its liking".
    2. ^ Duncan, Stephen (April 7, 1973). "The Financial Post - Page 11". The Financial Post. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    3. ^ Jonathan Lucas (2007). First, Fourth and Last. Trafford Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 9781425111311.
    4. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (October 27, 1972). "Raiders Win, 7‐6". The New York Times.
    5. ^ "Looking Back At The WHA". NHL.com. November 21, 2005.
    6. ^ Gaither, Joe (August 2, 2021). "Eli Gold Announced as the Official Voice of the Birmingham Squadron". Tide 100.9. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    7. ^ "BC Radio History". BC Radio History. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    8. ^ Collins, Fred (June 4, 1983). "Oakes now is behind the mike for football". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
    9. ^ "About The Professor". Chicago Now.
    10. ^ "Red Rush passes away". THE BROADCAST BOOTH. January 15, 2009.
    11. ^ WHA: Dec.17/1972 Chicago Cougars - Minnesota Fighting Saints on YouTube
    12. ^ "REMEMBERING THE CINCINNATI STINGERS HOCKEY TEAM". Cincy Shirts. November 8, 2018.
    13. ^ Williams, Ken (March 21, 1976). "Stingers' broadcaster got to the top fast". The Journal News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
    14. ^ Popelka, Greg (January 25, 2012). "Blast From the Past: Gerry Cheevers and the Cleveland Crusaders". TheClevelandFan. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    15. ^ "Steve Albert Joins Suns Broadcast Team". NBA.com.
    16. ^ Pitarresi, John (August 18, 2009). "Tuesday Conversation: Triumphs to tragedies, sportscaster Lee Hamilton has seen it all". Observer-Dispatch. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    17. ^
      • "Crusaders, Cavs On TV". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. August 23, 1974. p. B3. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
      • "Television For Tonight". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. December 5, 1972. p. A24. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
      • Smith, Don (March 22, 1973). "CATV has variety". The Newark Advocate. Newark, Ohio. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    18. ^ Gaschnitz, K. Michael (11 September 2015). The Edmonton Oilers. p. 266. ISBN 9780786455461.
    19. ^ Iorfida, Chris (May 28, 2010). "Oilers radio announcer Phillips to retire". CBC. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    20. ^ 1979 Avco Cup Edmonton vs Winnipeg Bobby Hull and Wayne Gretzky interviews on YouTube
    21. ^ Reiss, Aaron (July 15, 2016). "Original Aeros brought Hall of Famer and hockey to Houston". Chron. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    22. ^ 1978.04.04.WHA WinnipegJets- Houston Aeros on YouTube
    23. ^ WIBC Hockey Bob Lamey Indianapolis Racers on YouTube
    24. ^ "The Windsor Star - Page 48". The Windsor Star. September 25, 1974. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    25. ^ "Frank Buetel". Pavek Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    26. ^ "Comments radiotapes.com". RadioTapes.com. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    27. ^ "Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972-1977)". Vintage Minnesota Hockey. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    28. ^ "Panthers' Television, Radio Announcers". Sun Sentinel. October 4, 1993.
    29. ^ "Whalers Rule Out Home Playoff TV". The Day. April 4, 1973. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
    30. ^ team was located in Boston at the time
    31. ^ Bob Strecker (November 1, 1975). "Whalers hockey goes on Channel 53". The Day. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
    32. ^ "Former Patriots radio announcer John Carlson has died". Boston.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
    33. ^ "Personalities - Stan Fischler". MSG Networks. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
    34. ^ Buckler, Matt (October 28, 2021). "Matt Buckler: Bob Neumeier was all about the passion". Yahoo!. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    35. ^ DeLorenzo, Jim (September 7, 2022). "On this Date in 1979, ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen Changed the Way the World Watches Sports and Television". EIN Presswire. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    36. ^ Surgent, Scott. "The Complete World Hockey Association - Scott Surgent". surgent.net. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    37. ^ Halberstam, David J. (July 4, 2018). "Often criticized Yankees play-by-player John Sterling, 80 today, was a pioneer sports talk host". Sports Broadcast Journal. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    38. ^ "New York Raiders Memories". GeoCities.
    39. ^ "Peterson To Air N.Y. Hockey Games". The Morning Record. Associated Press. September 29, 1972 – via Google News.
    40. ^ Vancouver Broadcasters, NorthWest Broadcasters, BC Radio History, Gary Rable did Colour with Ron Oakes PXP
    41. ^ Cluff, Jeremy. "Legendary Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy returning for 48th season with team in 2019". The Arizona Republic.
    42. ^ Csillag, Ron (August 3, 2014). "William (Bill) Stephenson: Broadcaster was voice of CFRB sports for four decades". The Globe and Mail.
    43. ^ "Wittman, Don". Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
    44. ^ "Nicolson, Ken "Friar" - Manitoba Hockey ..." Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    45. ^ "Ken Nicholson Voice of the Jets - Making It Up". fallows.ca. November 7, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
    46. ^ MacDonald, L. Ian (October 10, 1972). "Football Freaks Unite, Keep The Nfl. Get Righ It Would ... - Page 23". The Montreal Gazette.
    47. ^ 1977-05-26 Gm 7 coupe AVCO nordiques-jets on YouTube
    48. ^ Logan, Bob (October 14, 1973). "Ringmaster in the Bulls-eye". Chicago Tribune. p. TV Week 5. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    49. ^ Logan, Bob (May 18, 1976). "Bulls' TV contract canceled". Chicago Tribune. p. 4:1. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    50. ^ Deeb, Gary (February 1, 1974). "Owen Marshall degenerates to record low". Chicago Tribune. p. 1:13. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    51. ^ Hirsley, Michael (February 13, 2007). "Bob Luce: 1928 - 2007 A promoter extraordinaire: Staging pro wrestling shows was a labor of love for Bob Luce". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
    52. ^ Isaacs, Stan (April 4, 1982). "More to New Voices Than Meets the Ear". Newsday. Melville, New York. p. Baseball 10. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    53. ^ "ESPN Founder - About Bill Rasmussen". Archived from the original on June 8, 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
    54. ^ April 11, 1975 Whalers-Fighting Saints brawl from YouTube
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