Los Angeles Sharks



1972-74

Founded: November 1, 1971 by Dennis A. Murphy as the Los Angeles Aces of the World Hockey Association. (Later re-named the Sharks.)

Joining the WHA fold early on the Los Angeles Sharks like other WHA franchises did not far well in the long run. The NHL's Los Angeles Kings hit the ice 5 years prior to the WHA's existence and never really established themselves in the sporting market. Trying to mimic the NHL by playing in big american television markets the LA Aces and the San Francisco Sharks were too be state hockey rivals. This never materialized, because the Sharks moved to Quebec. After the Sharks moved to Canada the Aces adopted the name Sharks as their own. The Sharks were determined to sign NHL Superstars. Ken Dryden goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens was their main target, but unfortunately he took a year off instead. Although Dryden or any other NHLers were signed with the team, the Sharks did sign the first coach Terry Slater and the first player Steve Sutherland to a contract in the league's history. The 1972-73 season was surprisinly a positive for the organization. The team was drawing 6,000 fans to home games, which was almost the same amount as the NHL Kings get to their home games. They also had several games over 10,000 fans and even one game which had 12,804 spectators to watch the Sharks face the Ottawa Nationals. The team was led by former St.Louis Blues player Gary Veneruzzo and J.P. Leblanc which had 773 and 69 points respectively. With all this the team posted an above average 37-35-6 record. This record got them into the playoffs but they lost in the first round against the Houston Aeros. The second season arrived and the organization had high hopes. The off-season proved to be helpful with the aquisition of former Montreal Canadien Marc Tardif. The team again sported the beautiful red, black, and white jerseys, but this year the team had no luck even with Tardif. Veneruzzo and Tardif combined for 79 goals, but with a poor defense and meager goaltending the Sharks posted a 25-53-0 record. This poor season lost the interest of the Los Angeles people. A pair of Detroit natives Charles Nolton and Mike Shagend bought the Los Angeles Sharks and after the 1973-74 season was finished the two businessmen moved the team to Detroit. The team was re-named the Michigan Stags. 

Los Angeles Sharks Year-by-Year
Year      W     L    T     pts.    Finish        Playoffs
1972-73  37    35    6     80      3rd Western   Lost to Houston 4-2
1973-74  25    53    0     50      6th Western   None

Other Team Facts

Jerseys-Colors: Red, Black, White
  • Gary Veneruzzo in a Sharks Uniform.
  • A picture of the 1972-73 Los Angeles Sharks
  • Poster of Marc Tardif
  • Postcards of the 1972-73 Los Angeles Sharks
  • More postcards from the 1972-73 Los Angeles Sharks
    Arena Home Rink- Los Angeles Sports Arena (14,700)
    Attendance Figures (Avg-Total)
  • 1972-73......5,982.......233,285
  • 1973-74......5,338.......208,175
    Coaches
  • 1972-73...Terry Slater
  • 1973-74...Terry Slater, Ted McCaskill
    All-Star Representatives
  • 1973..Bart Crashely,Gerry Odrowski,Mike Byers,Gary Veneruzzo
  • 1974..Bart Crashely,Gerry Odrowski,Marc Tardif
    Affiliations
  • 1972-73...Greensboro Generals (EHL)
  • 1973-74...Greensboro Generals (SHL)
    Player Stats
  • Los Angeles Sharks 1972-73
  • Los Angeles Sharks 1973-74

    • Los Angeles Sharks Share-Holder Certifercate 1971

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