Cover of The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association

The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association

by Ed Willes · 2004

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Seven turbulent years of the World Hockey Association get a lively, affectionate retelling here. Ed Willes gathers the colourful stories behind the league: a star signing that helped get it off the ground, bizarre on-ice brawls, a player smuggled out of a locker room in an equipment bag, and the making of the film Slap Shot. Founded by two California lawyers who knew little about the sport, the WHA launched dozen of franchises, many of which collapsed amid unpaid bills and lawsuits. Still, it pushed the game forward, challenging the NHL's dominance, loosening player contracts, lowering the draft age, expanding into warmer markets, and welcoming many European skaters. Several of its surviving clubs eventually joined the established league.

Subject
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of this
Themes
sportssportsMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 288 pages

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