Los Angeles Sharks

The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team from Los Angeles, California, which was from 1972 to 1974 in the North American World Hockey Association (WHA ) active. 1974 the team moved to Detroit, where he played as Michigan Stags.

History

Los Angeles was one of the cities that were already scheduled establishing the WHA as a location. The franchise should really be called Aces. With a second team in San Francisco wanted to the two California-based NHL teams defy. As the for- San Francisco team was moved before the start of game service after Quebec, the nearest WHA teams were in Houston and Edmonton. We changed the team name in Sharks. As the 14,700 -seat stadium Los Angeles Sports Arena served. Four games in the first season were played at the Long Beach Arena, which offered 11,325 spectators.

You looked at the competitors from the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings, who had five years earlier come to the city, so you could imagine how hard it was to inspire fans at this location for a new team. The management of the leagues co-founder Dennis Murphy was the first, with Terry Slater and a coach with Steve Sutherland was able to take in February a player under contract on January 7, 1972. At the beginning of the season we had put together a team that was without any star. Neither player was able to look back on notable success in the NHL. With an average attendance of just under 6,000 to lay the leaders in the league and only about 1,000 behind the Kings in the NHL. In a game on a Sunday morning in March 1973 against the Ottawa Nationals was reached once even 12,000 spectators. Best scorer in the first 1972/73 season was Gary Veneruzzo who brought it to 73 points scorer. A third place and qualified for the playoffs was more than we had dared the team. It was noticeable that the team away had a better record than at home.

Hopefully you started in the 1973/ 74. With Marc Tardif had been committed by the Montreal Canadiens a strong attacker, who was also the best scorer of the team with 70 points. By the end of January, the benefits have been uneven, but still acceptable. The victory at the Jersey Knights on January 27 was the last away win of the season but not only the last 13 away games were lost, but also 10 of 14 games on home ice. The result was only 50 points, less like any other team this season. Towards the end of the season the team was sold to the originating from Detroit Charles Nolton and John Shagena. Just seven days after the last game, even while the other teams were in the playoffs, gave the new owners to move to Detroit known. The team should be called in the future Michigan Stags.

Team Records

Known player

• Marc Tardif