by Stan Fischler
Internationally Syndicated Hockey Columnist
Love, they say, is lovelier the second time around.
Certainly those former National Hockey League players who’ve consummated their divorce from the NHL appear madly in love with the World Hockey Association and their new hockey marriage.
Obviously, reasons differ. Gordie Howe, who seemed to have spent his entire life in NHL rinks, became disenchanted with the atmosphere at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium when his pal, Bill Gadsby, was fired as Red Wing coach and replaced by Ned Harkness.
“Midway through that last season,” said Howe. “I couldn’t have cared less whether I played or not.”
As most of the world knows by now, Gordie returned to the ice wars–with the Houston Aeros–for several reasons. The atmosphere was cleaner in Houston but, more important, he now would have a chance to skate alongside his gifted sons, Marty and Mark Howe.
Why did some of the other skaters leave the NHL? Here are my personal insights:
Harry Howell, New York Golden Blades–He knew he had two more big league years of defense left in him. Harry realized he was one-two among the top defenders on the 1972-73 Los Angeles Kings. Besides, he wanted to come home to his favorite hockey rink, Madison Square Garden, where he broke in early in the Fifties.
Marc Tardif, Los Angeles Sharks–Seventh-leading scorer on the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens last season. Marc has experienced all the thrills the NHL has had to offer. The Spartan atmosphere of a Sam Pollock-Scotty Bowman regime didn’t quite agree with him, nor the fact that he was never given the responsibility he believed he rightfully deserves. He’ll be the leader in L.A.
Mike Walton, Minnesota Fighting Saints–Mike was misunderstood and misused by Punch Imlach in Toronto and undervalued and misinterpreted by Bep Guidolin in Boston. That was a bit much for one of the brightest young men to skate in the shadows of Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito. Who needed that when the money, the prestige and the chance for leadership are better in St. Paul?
Carl Brewer, Toronto Toros–The defenseman who made Al Eagleson what he is today, Brewer was so disgusted with the NHL operation in St. Louis (but not the money) that he took the whole 1972-73 season off for vacation, savoring the WHA style. He liked what he saw and fancied the chance to be back home again in Toronto where he originally broke in to pro hockey with the Leafs. The parlay was too good to refuse.
Rejean Houle, Quebec Nordiques–The man who gained the Purple Heart guarding Bobby Hull in the 1971 Stanley Cup finals was treated like a Punchinello in Montreal; hardly consonant with his record as a dynamic leader in junior hockey. The Nordiques have given him the chance to be the prideful skater he once was.
Dale Hoganson, Quebec Nordiques–When you’re a Montreal Canadien defenseman and you yearn to be a first-stringer, but people such as Jacques Laperriere, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard and Jim Roberts are ahead of you–not to mention Pierre Bouchard–life becomes frustrating. And, since you like the Province of Quebec, there’s only one thing to do. Dale did it. He went to the Nordiques.
Pat Stapleton, Chicago Cougars–For a man who gave 248 stitches, a few broken limbs and an awful lot of energy to the Chicago Black Hawks, this master defenseman was rightfully perturbed when the Hawks removed the captain’s “C” from his jersey and gave him assorted other hard times here and there. He didn’t want to leave the Windy City and, thanks to the WHA’s Cougars, he didn’t have to–not at the price the Cougars were willing to pay.
Ralph Backstrom, Chicago Cougars–Among the more absurd moves made by Black Hawk Coach Billy Reay during the 1973 playoffs was to appoint a “designated speaker” from among his players after a game to talk with the press. He made the mistake of trying the routine with the sensitive Ralph Backstrom once and it was the straw that sent the gifted center heading for the gold mine in Cougarville.
Al Karlander, New England Whalers–It appears that as long as the duet of Ned Harkness and Jim Bishop warble the tunes at Detroit’s Olympia, it would be preferable for an ambitious Cup-hungry skater to play elsewhere. Al Karlander falls directly into that category.
Jim Hargreaves, Winnipeg Jets–Same as Al Karlander, except that his problem was skating for the Vancouver Canucks; as mixed up an operation as the Red Wings are, at their worst.
Rick Smith, Minnesota Fighting Saints–In Oakland, he was skating for Charles Finley. Need we say more?
Serge Bernier, Quebec Nordiques–Well, there’s Harkness, Finley, Bishop and in Los Angeles, Jack Kent Cooke. Bernier likes Quebec’s enlightened civilization better.
Cam Newton, Chicago Cougars–He watched the Pittsburgh Penguin’s front office axe Red Kelly in mid-season for doing a good job. If that happens when you’re doing a good job, what happens if you don’t?