Philadelphia Blazers WHA Memories
If you'd like to add a Blazers memory or a memory of any other WHA team
e-mail me. All help is greatly appreciated.
© 1997 ryanch@bigfoot.com
I was 12 years old when the Blazers came to Philly in the summer of 1972.
There was a autograph session and pep rally at the old Leo mall in Northeast
Philadelphia. I took the bus almost 10 miles by myself to the mall, since my
Dad couldn't care less about ice hockey and did not want to go. The place was
mobbed. Derek Sanderson was there, as well as John McKenzie, Andre Lacroix,
and a few other players, whom I could not get near. I walked around for a few
minutes trying to figure out which line to get in first. Then, out of the
corner of my eye, I see a familiar face leaning against a table with nobody
near him. It was Bernie Parent. Instantly, I ran towards him. He had a cast
on his leg from a recent surgery when he injured his knee the season before
in Toronto. I asked him for his autograph and he gave me two! I lied when I
told him one was for my brother. We talked for almost 15 minutes about his
career, and when he had lost his mask in Madison Square Garden the prior
season. Bernie was in a fight with a Ranger when one the other New York
players flung his beloved mask into the Garden crowd. The game was delayed
for a few more minutes so security could get it back from a fan. He told me
he and his wife Carol were very excited to be back in Philly. Not one other
fan approached us during our conversation. He then told me to hang around and
he would be right back. He took his cane and started to walk away. I figured
that was the end of our conversation. I stood there not believing my good
fortune. Suddenly, before I knew it, he was walking back with a small paper
bag. He came up to me and put it on a table next to us. He pulls out two cans
of soda, gives one to me, then opens one for himself. It was like something
out of that "Mean Joe Greene" commercial. We talked for another 10 minutes,
when several other fans noticed us started to approach him for autographs. It
almost seemed like the Philly fans forgot who has was. For one brief moment
of my childhood, I had one of hockey's greatest goaltenders all to myself. I
never forgot that moment almost 30 years ago. He is truely one of nicest
people I have ever met in sports. I still have his autographed Blazer photo,
which I framed, hanging in my office.
Memory by Craig Fein
I just recently came across your memories of the Philadelphia Blazers page
and thought I would pass on my memories. Actually, I was too young to have
any memories of the Blazers myself, my dad has a few. He played for the
Blazers in the 1972-73 season. Although he only played two games (he was a
goalie), he on occasion would tell me stories about the guys on the team.
One of the terms in Derek Sanderson's contract with the Blazers was that his
dad got a job as a scout for the team. My father was the only player Derek's
dad signed for the team. Even to this day on occasion, people call asking if
my father was the Tom Cottringer that played for the Blazers. It is amazing
that the league is still remembered by hockey fans after all these years.
I have tried over the past few years to find game tape of the Blazers
1972-73 season, but so far have had no success. Is there anyone who knows
where I can get this? Also, I would be willing to buy an Official Blazers
Jersey to help remember my dad's brief but exciting stint as a pro hockey
player. Tom Cottringer
Not a place for hockey at the time.I remember the Ice cracking during
warm-ups!I still have the Orange puck that they gave out from that game.Derek
Sanderson tried to give it a go by firing a puck around the rink but it kept
hitting the cracks in the ice.Needless to say but the game was cancelled.We
had a good time anyway!
Memory by KTJMcG@aol.com
Although a Flyers season ticket holder I couldn't get enough hockey and I wanted to see Derek Sanderson so I went to the first game of the Blazers at the Civic Center or Converntion Center(I can't remember which as I moved from Philly 21 years ago). As we entered we were given souvenier orange hockey pucks with the Blazers emblem. There was a problem with the ice and the game was first delayed then cancelled. Philly fans are known to be tough when play is not up to par and when the announcement was made the Blazers were pelted with the souvenier pucks.
Memory by Marjie Welsh, Kissimmee FL
I grew up in Roanoke Virginia. The local team, the Roanoke Valley Rebels were a farm team for the WHA Philadelphi Blazers.My aunt from Boston introduced me to hockey via the Bobby Orr Boston Bruins.I loved the sport...lived for it. One summer the Blazers came to Roanoke for training camp and my aunt took me to a closed practice. She some how got us in and I was watching The "flash man" Derek Sanderson and Bernie Parent being coached by John McKenzie former Bruin Defenseman. I was in awe. As practice ended I was walking up to leave the ice area when John said "Hey kid...want a puck?" As i turned he tossed it to me and i just about freaked. I went down and shook his hand and got his autograph. Unfortunately the ice was cleared and Ii could not get to the locker room.I kept the puck with the Blazers logo in great condition for about 2 months and then broke down and played with it. I slowly watched with each use the logo fade and soon too did the WHA. My favorite defection was Gerry Cheevers(great photo w/him on the home page.) and even though I met John The Cleveland Crusadres were my favorite. Their logo was the coolest.
On a lark I was trying to remember the old WHA teams. I took a stab and found you right away. Thanks for brining back some great memories.....I think I will call Aunt Barbara now....
Memory by Andrew Stump
I just read your items on Yahoo about the WHA. I was a fan of the Phila.
Blazers. I found it exciting to be a young teenager and be able to be
involved with not just a new team but a new league. I was in Penn Center the
day that the Blazers signed Derek Sanderson. I was at the first game at
Convention Hall the night the ice cracked and I remember when Sanderson came
out to apologize to the fans. You could see that he was embarrassed. I was
one of the fortunate ones that did not throw the orange puck on the ice. I
still have it. I also had the opportunity to meet Bobby Hull came to town
for the first time as a Jet. He was signing autographs at the Blazers office
on 17th St. He was the complete opposite of Sanderson. He did not appear to
let the newfound money go to his head. The Blazers had decent players then,
Parent, Sanderson, Lacroix, Lawson, McKenzie but then again, just like today,
big money and egos do not always blend together too well.
I also had dozens of "Be a Blazer Gazer" bumper stickers and for a few
years even after the team had left and the Flyers were winning the cups I
would put one on a friends car. He was anti-Blazer and pro-Flyer and for a
while he did not know who was doing it. I managed to keep just about every
copy of the Hockey Spectator which was a paper that the league printed and I
have the League yearbook for that first year along with scrapbook of
newspaper clippings. I took a lot of heat back then when Parent jumped back
to the NHL. I was there the next season at the Spectrum when he returned in
the exhibition season. I was the only one booing him. It was just a case of
hurt feelings at the time from a Blazer fan. And of course, those feeling
soon passed. I guess a Stanley Cup will do that. I now live just about a
mile or so from the old Cherry Hill Arena or at least where it was, in NJ. I
saw Gordie howe play there, chicken wire and all. I guess that is all for
now. I was glad to find the WHA site. It brought back many fine memories of
a wild time for hockey fans.
Memory by JTH107@aol.com
I was one of the fortunate girls to be chosen as a Blazerette. I was so
excited to be a part of this wonderful team. Before the team came and moved
into the old Civic Center, I spent my lunch hours at the Office downtown. I
went everyday. I was in the front row when Derek signed at JFK Plaza. I
still have dozens of pictures (and autographs )of him. He even signed his
popular book I've Got To Be Me. In fact, I was almost fired for going. I was
supposed to have a 45 min. lunch, but stayed for over three hours. Everyone
knew I loved this new team! I worked across the street at 16th and Arch, so
everyone knew where I was. Just the same, I was really "reprimanded." I was
at all of the games and had the good fortune to become dear friends with some
of the players. They were all so sweet and funny. I have hundreds of
stories about Michel Plante, Butch Boudreau, Hutch, Paddlefoot and Spinner.
I have kept all of my Blazer things-including my old uniform (and ugly orange
"hat"). I love to get the old stuff out and remember.
I love your site and have corresponded with other Blazer Gazers since I
discovered it.
Thanks for a great job and great memories!!!
Memory by Robarge3@aol.com
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