Ottawa Nationals Memories

If you'd like to add a Nationals memory or a memory of any other WHA team e-mail me. All help is greatly appreciated.

My first remembrance of the Ottawa Nationals of the WHA is very vague, however I do remember having just moved to Ottawa from Winnipeg and looking forward to the upstart professional league. The game was played at the Ottawa Civic Centre Jan.28, 1973. As I recall the tickets were a bargain 4 or 5 bucks and we could see the Golden Jet himself, Bobby Hull.Memories start to fade after 23 years however I do recall we sat in the end behind the goal. I remember that simply because of the slap shots from Bobby in that game. As I had never seen big league hockey before it was very fast and exciting. Winnipeg won the game that night and there were a number of goals. Some of the notable players for Ottawa were Wayne Carleton, Mike Amodeo,Les Binkley in goal. It was disappointing to see the team leave the city after the first season. I was able to see other WHA games played in later years in Winnipeg but will always remember my first one in the nations capital.
Memory by Lee , Winnipeg, Man.

I grew in Prescott, Ont., 45 minutes south of Ottawa, so I was exposed to the WHA through the Ottawa Nationals and Civics. We also followed the Toronto Toros closely because Global television in Toronto broadcast their games throughout the province. Mike Anscombe, who went on to become Global's top news anchor, was the play-by-play man. The Toros had their share of good hockey players, guys like Vaclav Nedomansky, Paul Henderson, Frank Mahovlich an, Mark Napier, but they also had INTERESTING players, guys like Leapin' Lou Nistico and Gilles Gratton. Nistico was kind of small but he had a huge heart and was tougher than nails. And there never was a dull moment with Gratton around. Although it wasn't NHL hockey, it was quite evident that these guys were good players and they loved to play hockey. Perhaps my best WHA memory is thanks to my next door neighbour. His mom was the sister of former Winnipeg Jets captain Danny Johnson. Whenever the Jets came to Ottawa, we piled into the car and headed north for the game. After one game, Danny brought us into the dressing room and introduced to the players, including Bobby Hull. We went home that night with souvenir pucks - a red one and a blue one - and an autographed stick. I'm sure my Dad still has mine tucked away somewhere in his house but Danny's nephew Keith used his for road hockey and ended up busting a Bobby Hull autographed stick!

I guess the best indication of how the WHA affected my life is that whenever I think of the league, I can't help but smile.
Memory by Jeff DeDekker

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