AFTER being founded in 1971 and hitting the ice in 1972 as a rival to the National Hockey League, the fledgling World Hockey Association lasted seven seasons before seeing four of their clubs join the NHL in 1979.
While big NHL names like Bobby Hull bolted to the WHA, there were was also a solid contingent of local products that plied their talents in the league during its seven-year run.
After being in the St. Louis Blues system, including earning first team all-star laurels with the WCHL’s Denver Spurs, Thunder Bay’s Gary Veneruzzo inked a deal with the WHA’s Los Angeles Sharks in 1972.
Veneruzzo went on to lead the Sharks in scoring that first year, collecting 73 points on 43 goals and 29 assists.
His tally total place him seventh overall in the league that opening campaign while finishing tied for 21st in total offensive production.
His contributions earned him a place on the West roster in the initial WHA All-Star Game held January 6, 1973 in Quebec City.
He also notched the Sharks first-ever hat trick back on December 12, 1972 against the Chicago Cougars.
In all, Veneruzzo would play six seasons in the WHA with such clubs as the Sharks, Michigan Stags, Cincinnati Stingers, Phoenix Roadrunners and San Diego Mariners.
He would in turn be the highest point producer from the Lakehead to play in the WHA, ending up 56th overall among all skaters with 274 points, in 348 outings, which featured 151 goals.
One of Veneruzzo’s teammates that first year of the WHA was fellow local product Joe Szura.
Szura finished knotted for third in scoring with L.A. with 45 points as he found the back of the net 13 times and assisted on 32 other markers.
Cracking the Top 100 in WHA point-getters was one of the top players from the city in his day, Ray Adduono.
He skated in the WHA for five years, appearing with San Diego, the Minnesota Fighting Saints and the Indianapolis Racers.
There he racked up 197 points in 221 games on 45 goals and 152 helpers.
Leading the WHA in penalty minutes in their first season was John Schella.
He had a league-high 239 with the Houston Aeros, who he played for in six seasons.
Schella was on the Aeros side that won back-to-back Avco Cups, as WHA champions in 1974 and ‘75.
Also winning an Avco Cup in Houston in ’74 was Szura as did the legendary Gordie Howe, along with his sons Mark and Marty.
Among other popular players from the city to skate in the league were Ron Busniuk, Danny Gruen, Lou Nistico and Rick Adduono.
Among those, from the Lakehead, who accumulated 50 or more points in their time in the WHA include:
Gary Veneruzzo (274); Ray Adduono (197); John Schella (182); Danny Gruen (117); Lou Nistico (116); Ron Busniuk (73); Joe Szura (60); Rick Adduono (53).
DRAFTED: In its tenure, the WHA also held six amateur drafts.
The late Lou Nistico was the initial local skater taken, tabbed by the Toronto Toros, 56th overall, in the 1973 event.
Three selections later the Minnesota Fighting Saints chose Nelson Pyatt.
Round 6 that year saw Houston take Dennis Owchar (74th).
In 1974, Terrace Bay’s Charlie Simmer was drafted in the second round, 26th overall, by the Cleveland Crusaders.
Meanwhile, Schreiber’s Kim Gellert saw Phoenix pick him with the initial choice of Round 13.
1975 saw San Diego snag Rick Adduono with the 27th overall choice while Mike Sleep went in the fifth round to Phoenix and Kenora’s Rick St. Croix was tabbed by Houston in the 13th.
As for the 1976 WHA Draft, Vern Stenlund was taken 47th by Cleveland, with Hornpayne’s Mike McEwen hearing his name called in the seventh by the Toros as did Mike Hordy, by Houston.
The final area product taken in the WHA Draft was Murray Bannerman of Fort Frances, chosen by Winnipeg in the 10th round in 1978.