Here is something that I wasn't aware of the amazing Bobby Hull. Back in 1972, his old team along with the NHL through legal action prevented the Golden Jet from playing in Winnipeg's first 14 games of the new WHA. But when he was finally cleared to play by the courts, he went on to score 51 goals and 103 points in 63 games while also serving as the team's coach. He led the Jets to a first-place title in the Western Division and to the AVCO Cup final, as well as being the team's leading scorer despite missing the first 14 games of the season. Plus his linemates benefitted with his RW Norm Beaudin ending up with 38 goals and 65 assists, and his Centre Chris Bordeleau finishing with 47 goals and 54 assists in that first WHA season.
Interesting to look back: Hull finally got to play in his first WHA game on Nov. 8, 1972 in Quebec City before a crowd of 10,126 (a 3-2 Winnipeg loss to the Nordiques). He failed to score a goal although he drew an assist with only five seconds left in the game, but was named the most outstanding player on the ice. Hull played the next night in Ottawa as Winnipeg coasted to a 4-1 win over the Nationals before 5,044 (Ottawa's largest crowd of the season). He picked up an assist but was covered closely again in this game and unable to score. The Jets played their 3rd consecutive game in 3 nights on Nov. 10. It was Hull's home debut at the Arena in front of 7,487 but resulted in a 5-1 loss to Minnesota. The Fighting Saints goalie Mike Curran kept Hull off the scoresheet and allowed Hull only 3 shots on goal. Bobby finally broke into the WHA goal scoring column in his 4th game on Nov. 12 in Winnipeg as he led his team to a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Sharks. Hull's first goal came on his very first shift on a powerplay when he blasted a 50-foot slapshot from the blueline.This led to a wild standing ovation, which included littering the ice, causing a five-minute game delay. He went on to score another goal and an assist in this game as well. Jets owner Ben Hatskin had said of Bobby's value that the price for 1,000 seats a game went toward paying Hull his yearly salary of more than $200,000.