Marc Tardif left the NHL's Montreal Canadiens following the 1972-1973 season to sign with the Los Angeles Sharks. Following a 40-goal season, Tardif moved with the franchise to Detroit, but the financially-troubled Michigan Stags were forced to deal him to the Quebec Nordiques in December 1974. Tardif would spend the rest of his career with the Nordiques up until his retirement following the 1982-1983 season.
Tardif was named a WHA Second Team All-Star in 1974-1975 and was a First Team All-Star for each of the next three seasons. He was selected to play in six mid-season All-Star Games, led the WHA in scoring twice and was also named the league's most valuable player on two occasions. His league-leading 71-goal, 148-point season in 1975-1976 was his best individual season and the following year, he led the Nordiques to their one and only AVCO Cup championship. Tardif's 316 goals in the WHA is a league record and his total of 666 points is second only to Andre Lacroix.
During Game 2 of the 1976 Canadian Division semi-final against the Calgary Cowboys, Rick Jodzio of the Cowboys viciously hit Tardif across the face with his stick and proceeded to drop his gloves and pound Tardif in the head and face, triggering a bench-clearing brawl that lasted nearly an hour and a half. Tardif had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher and was forced to remain in hospital overnight as a precaution. He was out for the remainder of the series and Jodzio was charged with causing bodily injury with intent to maim. |
