The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, March 31, 1979

Traditional rivalries hang in balance
By STAN FISCHLER
Special to the Free Press

NEW YORK —The stormiest courtship in sports history was officially consummated in marriage Friday as the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association officially exchanged vows here at the' Hotel Warwick.

NHL president John Ziegler, representing the 61-yearold groom, and who chaperoned Howard Baldwin, speaking for the somewhat tattered seven-year-old bride, embraced before a modest audience of some 30 media witnesses.

"It's a good thing I had two jobs," joked Baldwin, the boss of New England Whalers, " 'cuz I just lost one."

Baldwin's loss is the NHL's gain — at least numerically — as Winnipeg, Edmonton, New England and Quebec City were formally added to the senior league's fold in what euphemistically is known as the NHL's "fifth expansion". Merger had been regarded as an "X-rated" word among the league linguists.

Apparently happier than the stoic-looking Baldwin, Ziegler allowed that he was tickled that the seven-year hockey war was over.

"When you've been at war," Ziegler smiled, "and peace is at hand, as it is now, I have to feel gratified."

Nothing has gratified the NHL lords more than the WHA's agreement to cough up $6 million each for the "new" franchises. Payments begin on May 1, when the franchises will be issued.

"This," said Ziegler, "will be calise for a May Day celebration."

However, some NHL bosses — especially Harold Ballard of Toronto Maple Leafs — disagree. Citing such ancients as Gordie Howe of New England, Ballard maintained his anti-WHA stance.

"How can we look forward to them filling seats at Maple Leaf Gardens?" snapped Ballard. "Would you want to see Babe Ruth play today?"

What some NHL owners want — and remain terribly concerned about —is the retention of traditional rivalries. This would be difficult if, according to the plan, each team played two home and two away games against all member clubs.

"This (the balanced schedule) has been a controversial matter," Ziegler admitted. "A lot of people had to make sacrifices, particularly in that area." However, Peter O'Malley, the Washington Capitals' governor, indicated that new attempts will be made to hammer out an unbalanced schedule."

"To maintain bona fide geographic rivalries," said O'Malley, "we had to come up with an unbalanced schedule." According to the NHL plan, Winnipeg will play in the Smythe Division along with Edmonton, Chicago, Vancouver, St. Louis and Colorado. New England has been placed in the Norris Division and Quebec City in the Adams section.

"The NHL," said Baldwin, "is getting four very good partners who work hard, have a sound product and pay their bills. They'll do the NHL proud. We're all looking forward to making hockey the number one sport in North America."

The immediate beneficiaries of merger are the battery of lawyers for both leagues who still have to dig in to the nitty-gritty of such issues as placating the NHL Players' Association, which has requested half of the $24 million in entry fees, as well as indemnification payments to Cincinnati and Birmingham.

Another sticky question involves the limitations placed on WHA teams. Each of the four WHA clubs will protect two skaters and two goaltenders. Although some neutral observers regard this as a serious curb against the WHA teams, representatives of the WHA don't seem terribly worried.

"It's not as bad for us at it looks on paper," said Whalers' director of operations Jack Kelley. Quebec Nordiques' president Marcel Aubut also indicated that his club would emerge stronger than many believe :."We will represent the league well," promised Aubut'.

Sources here expect Winnipeg will protect two of the following three skaters: Terry Ruskowski, Scott Campbell and Morris Lukowich. Edmonton is expected to protect Wayne Gretzky and Blair MacDonald. Quebec will guard Marc Tardif and Buddy Cloutier while New England is expected to protect Mark Howe and either Alan Hangsleben, Gordie Roberts or Rick Ley. "They're getting a fair deal," said Montreal Canadiens' managing director Irv Grundman.

According to the arrangement, NHL teams will be able to reclaim WHA players whose NHL rights they presently own (not including the protected skaters) and in the June draft, NHL teams will be allowed to protect 15 skaters and two goaltenders.

The new teams will draft players in order of selection (determined by lot) until each current NHL team has lost four players. No club may lose more than one goaltender without its consent.

Some NHL leaders were anxious not to build up the WHA teams at their (NHL's) expense. "What do I tell the fans in St.Louis?" said Blues' president-general manager Emile Francis. "We let in four teams that are stronger than the Blues? If we're going to be generous, let's be generous to our own members."

The WHA teams are safe from losing too many players because the NHL teams that reclaim them will not only add on the burden of their contracts, but those players cannot be unloaded or traded for two years without first being offered to their old teams for the $100 waiver price.

Many in the audience alluded to the recent peace treaty signed by Israel and Egypt."! was going to introduce Howard Baldwin as Mr. Begin," quipped Ziegler, "but I'm not tanned well enough to be Sadat!"

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, March 31, 1979

WHA serves its purpose, Jets join NHL
By REYN DAVIS

The Seven-Year Itch has at last been scratched.

With great relief, it was announced Friday that Winnipeg Jets have officially joined the National Hockey League.

Like a salmon that dies after laying her eggs, the World Hockey Association can rest in peace. comforted by the knowledge' that its four best franchises, all originals, are going to their reward — the NHL.

As Bobby Hull said, "the WHA served its purpose."

But the NHL, my little one. Think of it.

The very rhyme of the letters is as part of the everyday language of Canadians as wheat is to farmers, cod is to fishermen, oil is to drillers and Ottawa is" to politicians.

As children we dreamed of playing there.. .a Maple Leaf or a Canadien...little realizing that one day we would get there, not on our skates but as a community that even if it isn't big thinks that way.

"I look forward to bringing the Stanley Cup to Winnipeg," said Jets' general manager John Ferguson. The mere association of the city and the trophy that has stood as the ultimate prize in hockey is mind-boggling. Ferguson, the man charged with building the Jets into a contender, was flanked by Deputy Mayor Bill Norrie, executive director Marc Cloutier, and Recreation Minister Bob Banman.

Among the 50 people in the crowded Golden Jet Lounge in the Arena were two of the seven directors of 8 Hockey Ventures Inc., the corporation that owns the Jets.

Harvey Secter and Marvin Shenkarow watched and listened and applauded like the rest, though it was their money that was being spent. Champagne flowed. Toasts were said. Welcome the NHL.

"When I stepped outside an hour ago, just after Michael (Gobuty) called to say it was official, I can't describe how I felt," said Secter, the young president of 55 ladies' wear stores.

"But I know I have experienced the feeling before. I felt just like I did the day my first son was born. You weren't surprised but you weren't sure either. But when you knew everything was all right, the feeling was tremendous."

Conspicuously absent was another of the seven directors, Bobby Hull, busy on his farm south of Winnipeg. It was on Hull's broad shoulders that the WHA was built. He gave the league the credibility to get off the ground.

"It's terrific news," said Hull, .now 40 and retired. "Everything should be better now. The WHA has served its purpose. Now hockey can get down to the serious business of building 21' strong franchises. And there can be 21 strong franchises if the proper people are looking after them.

"We've got to get back to entertaining hockey. I know a lot of teams are trying."

Down in Palm Springs, Calif., the founder of the Jets was resting his sore back, injured while swinging a golf club Thursday.

"It's taken seven years to do what we tried to do the first year," said Ben Hatskin.

He recalled a secret meeting with the NHL in New York City in March of 1973. The meeting took place in a penthouse suite of industrialist Bob Schmertz in the Waldorf Astoria. In attendance were Bill Jennings, president of New York Rangers; Jacques Courtois, president of Montreal Canadiens; Peter Block, general counsel of Pittsburgh Penguins; and Ed Snider, chairman of Philadelphia Flyers, from the NHL.

Representing the WHA were Schmertz, chairman of New England Whalers; Nick Mileti, president of Cleveland Crusaders; and Hatskin. "At that time, our guys thought that we were the league," said Hatskin. "They weren't that enthusiastic. I remember what the price was going to be for each team. Would you believe $2 million?"

It will cost each WHA club $6 million to join the NHL. Of that amount, $4,625,000 must be put up May'l with the remainder, $1,375,000, to be paid over five years, interest free.

Legally, the WHA teams won't be in the NHL until June 1.

The Jets intend to set up a radio network so that regional coverage will be provided. There will also be television coverage of the Jets, to a certain extent.

Cloutier said the Jets would try to . schedule away games against Canadian opponents on Saturday nights so they could be seen in Manitoba on regional telecasts of Hockey Night in Canada.

Ferguson said the Jets are wary of the mistakes that other expansion teams have made. "We'll never trade a first-round draft choice," he said. "They'll be our lifeline."

He said the team was as prepared as it could possibly be. Four scouts have been busy for the past three months covering teams in the National, Central and American leagues as well as Canadian junior and U.S. college ranks.

How soon could the Jets be contenders? "It took me two years to build the Rangers from mediocrity into a contender," said Ferguson, sipping from a cup of Molson Canadian.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, March 31, 1979

Mood was festive, complete with champagne
Hal
Sigurdson
Sports Editor

When the Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Edmonton Oilers were officially accepted into the National Hockey League Friday in New York, it ended a seven-year war with the World Hockey Association.

In Winnipeg the outbreak of peace was greeted in festive mood. I didn't hear any bells ringing or notice anyone actually dancing in the streets, but the Jets, broke out the champagne. And why not? Potential season ticket subscribers kept their phones ringing all day despite an announced increase in prices. One imagines there were similar scenes in Edmonton, Quebec City and Hartford, Conn.

But like all wars, this one had its share of casualties. While the survivors celebrate their good fortune, in all decency can we do less than remember those no longer with us? Of course not.

Lest we forget, herewith is the list of WHA teams which didn't last long enough to toast yesterday's armistice: Indianapolis Racers, Minnesota Fighting Saints, "new" Minnesota
Fighting Saints, Vancouver Blazers, Philadelphia Blazers, Jersey Knights, New York Golden Blades, New York Raiders, Ottawa Civics, Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Houston Aeros, San Diego Mariners, Phoenix Rpadrunners, Los Angeles Sharks, Michigan Stags, Baltimore Blades, Calgary Cowboys, Denver Spurs, Cleveland Crusaders and Chicago Cougars. And now that the Jets, Whalers, Oilers and Nordiques are in, that means the Birmingham Bulls and Cincinnati Stingers are out.

Nor must we overlook the three clubs which never quite made it to ice level before their demise — the Miami Screaming Eagles, Dayton (Ohio). Gems and a San Francisco franchise.

For a lot of WHA entrepreneurs, obviously, it wasn't such a lovely war. Nor was it any picnic for most operators oh the other side. The California Golden Seals, Kansas City Scouts and Cleveland Barons (Cleveland thus has the distinction of being the only North American city to reject both leagues) were the only NHL teams to actually fold, but it's safe to assume that if the WHA had never existed there probably wouldn't have been a change of ownership in the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues. And perhaps not the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks, either. Nor is there any guarantee everyone will survive the peace.

The Jets hung on through all the highs and lows (mostly lows if you are talking profit and loss) of the WHA, but now that they've reached the so-called promised land of the NHL can they survive that rarified atmosphere? Will their customers blandly accept a price increase of roughly $1.50 per seat? Specifically, will they accept that sort of increase if they have to climb the equivalent of six flights of stairs to get to seats located in that new deck which is supposed to be completed in time for next hockey season?

One would expect the hockey fan asked to spend $11 or $12 a seat to demand a lot of creature comforts — escalators, elevators, convenient parking, air conditioning, comfortable seats, ample concession and washroom facilities. Whether or not he gets them depends on Sterling Rufus Lyon's Tories over on Broadway Avenue.

When the federal government's smashing minister of sport, lona Campagnolo, rode up offering fistfuls of Loto Canada dollars to aid arena expansion in Canadian WHA cities, she had two objectives in mind in Manitoba.

One was to make the federal Liberals look good on the eve of a national election, the other to embarrass the provincial Tories.

This was accomplished by putting a gun to their heads and making the promised federal contribution contingent on a matching grant from the province.

Will the province stand and deliver? Probably. But first there's likely to be some political face saving. One can imagine, for instance, Joe Clark arriving in Winnipeg and endorsing the plan so that Lyon can then appear to be co-operating with his4 federal leader rather than giving in to the hated Grits.

But without a quality arena, the Jets are going to be in trouble once the novelty of having the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers show up twice a year wears off. They could also be in trouble unless they win some non-financial concessions from the province.

As you probably know, terms of the marriage contract forbid the Jets, Oilers and Nordiques from taking a slice of the Hockey Night in Canada TV pie for another five years. They'll have to make up by scrambling around for a local television package.

About the only sponsor prepared to pick up the costs of that kind of deal would be one of the breweries. But in Manitoba, unlike Ontario and Quebec, it is illegal for brewers to advertise their product on television. A relaxation of that law would greatly enhance the Jets' ability to compete financially with the NHL establishment.

Friday was a historic day for Winnipeg hockey. But there's a lot more history to be made, a lot more work to be done.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Monday, April 2,1979

Sentimental, but how about a sendoff?
John
Robertson

I'm as ecstatic as anyone over the awarding of a National Hockey League franchise to Winnipeg, but surely there must be just one other sentimental slob out there besides me who feels that we just can't let the old World Hockey Association wind down like a beat-up watch, without a fitting burial.

I hope the Winnipeg Jets Booster Club is tuned in today, because they're just the live-wire bunch who could do it. What I have in mind for the last Jets home game of the schedule on April 15, is WHA Appreciation Night; a sendoff in the style of the old New Orleans funerals, complete with a Jazz Band, leading a symbolic casket around the ice while the fans whoop it up in tribute to Jet teams of the past.

/'// even pull the piano. . .

If Jimmy King will play, I'll even pull the piano, although I'll draw the line at wearing the matching grapefruits which capped my outfit on Schmockey Night. (I wouldn't say they were badly squashed on my repeated tumbles to the ice, but months later, I'm still spitting out seeds. .'.)

Seriously, think of it! Everyone who mattered in the Jets' brief but gaudy history, passing in review, starting with the man who made it all possible by signing Bobby Hull. . .Ben Hatskin. And isn't it about time somebody brought Gentle Ben front and centre and let the hockey fans of Winnipeg make him a thank you he can't refuse?

By no means stop there!

Bring back every Jet player of consequence within reach.

Invite Bob Graham and Jack McKeag to receive a well-deserved tribute for keeping the team alive as a community-owned venture.

Giving up the easy way

Everyone knows that community-owned professional hockey operations don't work —that the smartest and simplest thing to do is just fold your tent and give it all up as a bad job.

And if Graham and McKeag and friends had listened to this kind of well-meaning advice, we wouldn't have ANY hockey here today, let alone an NHL franchise. And the thousands of Winnipeggers who reached into their sugar bowls and came up with survival money in the form of $600,000 in interest-free founders' loans and another $137,000 in shares.. .surely there is a way all these donors can be honored with special certificates commemorating the occasion.

They didn't get their money back. It was eaten up keeping the team alive. The least these good people can be given is something to hang on their wall. Something which says: "Thank you for saving professional hockey in Winnipeg."

And last and by no means least, perhaps the biggest thank you of all should be saved for team president Michael Gobuty and his partners, for taking a dying franchise and saving it with an investment which had to come from the hearts and not their heads.

Think back one year ago, and remember what the state of pro hockey was in this city.

After making an heroic effort, Jack McKeag and Company had to call a press conference and publicly admit the well was dry.. .they were chin-deep in liabilities and in danger of not being able to meet their next payroll.

It was already just a foregone conclusion that Ulf and Anders were headed to New York. There were ominous rumblings that the foundation of the entire World Hockey Association was crumbling, and the National Hockey League governors were gleefully preparing to vote down another merger proposal, and elect to sit on the fence like so many buzzards, ready to feed off the carcasses of the folding WHA franchises.

Undaunted, Gobuty and Company came galloping in with a fistfull of dollars to save the Jets. A miracle worker he wasn't. He lost Ulf and Anders, as expected. The NHL turned the Jets down as expected. But instead of folding his tent, Gobuty announced the Jets were going to continue to operate in the WHA, come hell or high water.

And as a good show of faith, he peeled the elastic off the bankroll and signed the Houston Connection, knowing that while they wouldn't make the fans forget the incomparable Ulf and Anders, at least they'd make the club competitive. And it has been that.

Who needed all that grief?

At many times during the past year, I know that Gobuty found himself looking in the mirror and asking himself if he really needed all this grief.

Hull walked out on him, without so much as a public goodbye; the owners were put on the griddle by city council before being granted an arena expansion by the skin of their teeth; and then the NHL appeared to drive the final nail into the merger coffm early last month, before the governors dramatically reversed their field.

Through it all, Gobuty and his partners deported themselves with the epitome of class.

Instead of sitting idly by and cursing the fates, they'd gone out and hired John Ferguson and Marc Cloutier to reshape their entire front office.

Behind most unsuccessful franchises, you will usually find owners giving in to the irresistable urge to become instant hockey experts, and run the team themselves, by phone, or from their private box upstairs.

Gobuty and Company had the good sense to realize that it takes proven hockey men to build a solid hockey team.

Red ink will still run deep

Okay, so now they've got the big prize.. .an NHL hockey franchise. But they still haven't bought much more than a chin-deep trip through a vat of red ink. They don't have a license to print money. They have a license to lose money, for quite a few- years, until they get their hands on some of that lucrative TV rights money, which they have to waive for at least the first five seasons.

No one will ever have a tag day for Gobuty and friends. But what I am suggesting is that it's about time that those of us who invested our enthusiasm stood up and publicly thankqd some very beautiful people.

This is why I say we should have a night, a special night for all of them, starting with Gentle Ben, right down to the current owners, to ring out the old league and ring in the new.

For all it's problems and financial pratfalls, the WHA will always have a special place in the hearts of Winnipeg fans. So let's have a party for the .people who brung 'em here, and the people who helped keep the baby alive until it was big enough to join the NHL, when under less resourceful guidance, it could easily have expired from malnutrition.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1979

Molson's bidding for Jets account

Directors of the Winnipeg Jets are considering a multi-million-dollar promotional and advertising bid from Molson's Breweries, the club's marketing manager, Marc Cloutier, said today.

Molson's announced Tuesday it had signed a five-year, $3 million contract for the Edmonton Oilers NHL promotional and advertising rights.

Cloutier confirmed Molson's and two other breweries have bid for the Jets' rights. "We have written proposals from Molson's and one other brewery, plus a verbal offer from Carling O'Keefe," he said. He declined to say how much the Winnipeg club has been offered for its promotional and advertising rights in the NHL, but said all proposals are for six years.

What, exactly, will the successful bidder be buying? "They will own exclusively our TV and radio rights," Cloutier said. "They'll also receive preferred positions in all our publications, the centerfold of our program, for instance. Their logo will also appear on much of the literature we will send to our season ticket holders.

"The directors will have to decide which offer to accept," Cloutier said.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1979

Brewery backing Oilers

EDMONTON (CP) — Edmonton Oilers, one of four World Hockey Association teams which will play in the National Hockey League next season, have signed a five-year, $3-million advertising and promotion contract with Molson Breweries of Canada Ltd.

The contract calls for Molson's, which owns the NHL Montreal Canadiens, to give the Oilers $2-million in cash and $75,000 annually for the next five years. The club will receive the first $1 million on May 1 and the second a month later.

Don Henderson, Molson Alberta region manager, said the company also is trying to negotiate a similar deal with Winnipeg Jets, who will join the Oilers, Quebec Nordiques and New England Whalers in the expanded NHL next season. (In Winnipeg, Jets' trustee Barry Shenkarow said the club was negotiating with several companies. "It could be, say, Massey-Ferguson or it could be Molson's," he said. "We're leaving our options open.")

Oiler owner Peter Pocklington said the $2-million cash payment will defray about 25 per cent of the club's cost of entering the NHL. The Oilers must pay about |6 million to join the league, as well as its share of league indemnification costs to bury the WHA. The WHA clubs have a $4.5-million down payment due May I.

The move by Molson came after adverse public reaction when it was learned the Molson-owned Canadiens had voted against a merger with the WHA at initial meetings in New York in February. Generally effective boycotts of Molson products were organized in Winnipeg and Edmonton.

Pocklington said the company "deserved what it got," after Montreal's opposition became public knowledge, but added Molson did a laudable job of turning around league opinion on the merger, leading to the NHL acceptance in Chicago last week.

Pocklington said the Oilers negotiated with two other breweries before finalizing the deal with Molson. He would not name them but later said Carling-O'Keefe Breweries Ltd., which owned the Oilers' broadcast rights, had been approached to extend its involvement.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1979

Conrad's financial clout aids New England cause

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — You won't find Donald G. Conrad in New England Whalers' media guide, but his presence is one key reason why the team will be playing in the National Hockey League next season.

Conrad is executive vicepresident of Aetna Life & Casualty, which holds about 25 per cent interest in the World Hockey Association club. But the slight, dapper official — often seen at Whaler president Howard Baldwin's elbow at news conferences and important meetings — exerts a significant influence on the operations.

"Don Conrad has given this league tremendous credibility," Baldwin, also the WHA president, said at a news conference called to outline the NHL's expansion into four WHA cities. Conrad was a central figure in the negotiations which have led to the expansion which will see the Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques joining the NHL.

The 49-year-old executive spoke for the WHA at last year's unsuccessful merger attempt and also participated in this year's long and involved talks. When Conrad speaks, it is with the quiet assurance of a man who knows his mission. "When I spoke with the NHL representatives, I was speaking for the World Hockey Association and the New England Whalers. I was not a representative of Aetna, speaking for Aetna.

"But I'm sure the NHL knew that Aetna is committed to the Whalers and to Hartford." Aetna's commitment, however, doesn't go beyond that of a normal investor. There was a story a few months ago that Aetna, the largest investor-owned insurance company in the U.S., would underwrite the costs of the merger and guarantees to the NHL. "I don't know where that story came from," Conrad said. "There wasn't any truth in it."

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Thursday, April 5, 1979

Molson's buys Jet promotional rights for $3.5 million
By REYN DAVIS

Molson's of Manitoba has purchased exclusive advertising and promotional rights from Winnipeg Jets for an estimated $3.5 million.

The six-year deal was consummated Wednesday morning. Details will be announced at a press conference this afternoon at 4. The sale of the rights is expected to give the Jets' owners at least $2 million of the $4,625,000 they will be required to pay May 1 as the down payment of a $6 million expansion fee to join the National Hockey League.

It is understood that Molson’s will have exclusive advertising rights on television and radio broadcasts, access to prime positioning for advertising in programs, and the company's logo will appear on all literature issued by the club.

Molson's won the battle for the rights in a two-way fight with Labatt's. Carling O'Keefe sent a written offer, but did not take part in the negotiations.

At present, it is illegal for a brewery to advertise on television or radio in Manitoba. However, there are indications that the act might be changed in the Manitoba legislature. Attorney-General Gerald Mercier said Wednesday that the current situation regarding beer advertising on television is "absurd". "We're getting beer advertising on cable television all the time," he said.

He also said that the provincial ministers of health at a recent conference suggested a uniform national policy on beer advertising because most of the advertisers were national companies. "It seems to me they're not making much progress," said Mr. Mercier. "I expect the Jets will be making a submission to the Liquor Commission and the Government to have the act changed. I'm sure we'll look into the situation here in Manitoba."

Only a month ago, the brewery was the subject of a public boycott that saw its sales in the city drop drastically.

Molson's was blamed for the failure of NHL expansion talks in Key Largo, Fla. The anticipated expansion would have embraced three Canadian cities, including Winnipeg. But at the brewery's urging expansion talks resumed and last week it became official that the Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques and New England Whalers would be joining the NHL.

Despite the boycott, the Jets never broke off discussions with Molson's which had begun last January. Yet the Jets, exhibiting their wrath, terminated the brewery's sponsorship of the three-star selections following every home game. "The problem was more grotesque here than anywhere else in Canada," said Eddie Mazur, the marketing manager of Molson's in Manitoba.

"The decision surprised us, too. We were left with our mouths open. But when you hear what was in the proposal they tried to pass in Key Largo, you can see why no team in Canada could accept." The company's sales fell from 29 per cent to 24 per cent of the Manitoba market.

At one point Mazur thought the brewery was finished in Manitoba. "But we found that the boycott was not general throughout the province," he said. "It occurred strictly in the city, and particularly among one chain of hotels. We did only 12 per cent of the business in theirs."

He said the brewery was returning to its usual share of the market. On Tuesday, it was announced that Edmonton Oilers and Molson Breweries of Canada Ltd. Had agreed upon a $3 million advertising and promotion contract over the next five years.

Molson's also has exclusive advertising and promotional rights of Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadians. The Canadiens are owned by the brewery.

So far, only one major league hockey team in Canada does not have an advertising and promotional contract with Molson's, and it's virtually certain they won't.

Quebec Nordiques are owned by Carling O'Keefe.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Friday, April 6,1979

Quarters turning into goals
By REYN DAVIS

John Ferguson used to give Eddie Mazur a quarter to say a prayer on his behalf.

"Light a candle for me, would you please, Spider?" Ferguson would say as Mazur left the Cleveland Arena to visit the cathedral across the street.

Occasionally, Billy Sutherland and the late Wayne Larkin would do the same. Ferguson's quarters seemed to be turning into goals for him.

Then one day, several years later in the hometown of Mazur, Sutherland and Larkin, John Ferguson the general manager received the biggest blessing of all.

Mazur — acting on behalf of Molson Manitoba Brewery Ltd. — gave him $3 million for the privilege of telling the world what a great hockey team the Winnipeg Jets will be in the National Hockey League.

With one stroke of the pen, Molson's purchased the exclusive broadcasting and promotional rights of the Jets for the next six seasons.

Now the brewery, noted for its involvement in hockey in Canada, has the right to sell the radio and television packages to the stations of its choice and Mazur, the sales, manager of Molson's in Manitoba, was quick to point out that the stations that carry the Jets next season must reach all Manitobans.

"Whoever it is on radio, they would have to go 50,000 watts," said Mazur.

CJOB, which has carried the Jets' broadcasts since the team's inception in 1972, has only 10,000 watts but is increasing its power to 50,000 watts by this fall.

Only CKY, among the other Winnipeg radio stations, has 50,000 watts.

"But I want to go on record as saying that it would be pretty hard to beat CJOB's performance over the past seven years," said Mazur. "The radio broadcasts are probably in the proper hands right now."

Molson's purchase of the television rights is expected to clear the way for the Jets' appearance on Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts next winter.

The organization that operates Hockey Night In Canada is called Canadian Sports Network, a subsiduary of Molson Canada.

Only three weeks ago, Molson's was the target of a boycott by beer drinkers in Winnipeg.

The company was blamed for allowing the administrators of its hockey team — Montreal Canadiens — to vote against a proposal that would have seen the NHL expand to three Canadian cities — Edmonton, Quebec City and Winnipeg.

There was a bomb threat in Quebec City and a scathing front-page editorial in the Journal in Edmonton, while someone in Winnipeg fired a bullet through the front door of the brewery's offices.

But, within a weekend, the NHL's board of governors decided to meet again to discuss expansion. Vancouver and Montreal were apparently willing to change their minds, if the- expansion proposal could be changed somewhat.

"I don't believe that without them (Molson's) fighting for us — Morgan McCammon, in particular — this great merger would have happened," said Michael Gobuty, the Jets' president.

McCammon is president of Molson Canada. Russell Deeb, president of Molson Brewery Manitoba Ltd., appeared relieved to see the deal consummated. "We saw a lot of good work going down the drain," he said. "We thought we had to do something awfully fast."

The man given the most credit for putting the package together is Marc Cloutier, the Jets' vice president in charge of marketing.

Calling it one of the more major deals the Jets will ever have before them, he said:
"It's one of the biggest deals not only in money, but because Molson's has a great background in promotions. They know how to market hockey."

Cloutier said he intends to bronze and mount the pen he used to sign the agreement.

"And you know what?" he said. "I didn't realize it at the time, but the pen I was using had Molson's on it."

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1979

First pick belongs to Jets

Winnipeg Jets will have the opportunity to select the best player left unprotected by present National Hockey League clubs.

When the Jets and the other inductees into the NHL — N e w England Whalers, Edmonton Oilers and Quebec Nordiques — gather with the established clubs this summer, Winnipeg gets the No. 1 pick of the expansion draft.

Current NHL teams will be allowed to protect 15 skaters and two goaltenders, the remaining players going on the open market for the four new clubs.

Edmonton will have the second selection, followed by New England and Quebec. The order will be reversed for the second round, meaning Winnipeg's second selection will be the eighth over-all. The third round will revert to the first-round format. The draft will end when each of the present 17 NHL franchises have surrendered four players.

In the World Hockey Association free-agent draft the Whalers will have first choice with Edmonton selecting second, then Quebec and Winnipeg. Again the format will reverse for the second round, with the Jets also having the fifth selection.

Colorado Rockies, by virtue of having the worst record in the 1978-79 NHL season, have the first pick in the amateur draft of junior players.

New York Islanders, who had the most points, will have the 17th selection, before
the four new teams choose.

New England will select 18th and the Jets will choose 19th. Quebec has earned the 20th choice and Edmonton will be 21st. The format will remain unchanged in subsequent rounds.

Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars have two selections in the opening round. Minnesota will have two selections of the top 10. The club's 28-40-12 record was sixth-worst in the 17-team league. The club has also acquired Philadelphia Flyers' first choice, 10th o v e r - a l l , by the trade route.

Boston will select eighth, part of a trade with Los Angeles Kings, and ]5th. The drafts will be held shortly after the conclusion of the WHA and NHL playoffs.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Friday, April 20, 1979

WHA players talk strike; want better playoff payoff
By REYN DAVIS

Unhappy players are threatening to strike unless World Hockey Association owners sweeten the playoff pot.

"We feel that owners who can spend millions to join the National Hockey League shouldn't find it difficult to pay their players a few extra thousand," said Ron Roberts, the Dallas-based president of the World Hockey Players' Association.

The issue is over a reduction in the sum of money that will be paid to the Avco Cup champions. The owners have offered $7,000 per player. A year ago, the members of cup-winning Winnipeg Jets received $10,000 apiece.

Peter Sullivan, the Jets' player representative, said the owners have a case.

"Players have to realize that there won't be as many games, consequently there won't be as much money to go around," said Sullivan.

"But they should offer more than they have." Sullivan indicated the players would accept $8,000 per man and a week- to 10-day tightening of the playoff schedule.

The Jets planned to hold a meeting this morning to formulate their position on the matter.

They were scheduled to leave early this afternoon for Quebec City, even though their series doesn't open until Monday night. They were planning to leave Saturday but all commercial flights out of Winnipeg are booked solid this weekend. WHA teams appear split on the mattei1 of striking. Edmonton Oilers and New England Whalers are in favor of playing. Quebec Nordiques and Cincinnati Stingers are reluctant.

There must be unanimity before the playoffs can begin.

Dave Dryden, the Oilers' player rep, said there are several reasons why he and his teammates want to play.

"Every team's position is unique," said Dryden. "But as far as we're concerned we're committed to playing. Not every team has the fan support we have, and besides, our owner has promised us a return trip ticket to Agadir (Morocco) if we win the playoffs."

In Cincinnati, the Stingers voted 18-2 not to play. Attempts are being made to appease the players. The schedule has already been tightened. Ron Ryan, the WHA's executive director, said the playoffs have been shortened by a week.. .from May 27 to May 20.

The playoffs are scheduled to open Saturday with the Stingers meeting the Whalers in Springfield, Mass., in the first game of a best-of-three quarterfinal series.

Roberts said the length of the playoffs is of great concern.

"If we could be assured the playoffs would be over at a reasonable time, We might agree on a little less money than has been awarded in the past," he said.

Under the present system, the maximum number of games a team can play is 17.. .as in the case of New England and Cincinnati.

But for the Oilers, Nordiques and Jets the maximum number is 14. However, the minimum number of games a team must play to win the championship is eight.

Last year the Jets needed only nine games to win the Avco Cup. Three years ago, they had to play 13 games — one over the minimum — to win the trophy.

Meanwhile, the situation in Winnipeg is complicated by the fact the Jets must leave this afternoon on the commercial flight or the club may be forced to fly the team by charter to Quebec, in which case it would cost approximately $6,000 extra.

Furthermore, the whole issue is a distraction for players, management and fans going into the playoffs. Indeed, it's an unhealthy situation.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, April 21, 1979

Hardly cause for rejoicing
Hal
Sigurdson
Sports Editor

Surely no one over the age of 12 seriously believed the players in Cincinnati and Quebec City were going to pull the plug on the WHA playoffs?

Naturally, they were going to raise as much hell as possible. Last year each member of the champion Winnipeg Jets took home roughly $10,000 in bonus money. This year the proposal is $7,000 for each member of the winning team. That's hardly cause for celebration.

But when it came right down to the nitty gritty, the players had two choices. They could play for a chance to win seven grand or they could stay home and get nothing. Friday afternoon they agreed to do what any logical person with a mortgage would do under similar circumstances. They said they would play.

There wasn't much use in hanging tough on a matter of principle. When the playoffs are completed the WHA goes out of business so there isn't a whole lot of future to protect.

Jets' season ticket sales for next season have already reached 10,000 which has marketing man Marc Cloutier. convinced the club will go into its first NHL campaign with not less than 12,000 season subscribers. If he's right, the Jets should complete their first NHL season with an average attendance of around 14,000 which will make them one of the top drawing teams in the league. .

[JETStender]

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, Wednesday, May 2, 1979

Also upset with June draft plan
Ferguson says NHL club tampering
By REYN DAVIS

Tampering and draft fixing charges have been laid against the National Hockey League by the general manager of Winnipeg Jets. John Ferguson says he knows an NHL club is interfering in his contract talks with Willy Lindstrom, the Jets' leading scorer in the playoffs.

"I'm not naive enough to think it isn't happening," said Ferguson. "I know who it is. We've paid our application fee to the NHL. As far as I'm concerned we're members of the league.

"Rest assured that if I ever catch them tampering, we'll act quickly." The 27-year-old right- winger becomes a free agent June 1. Lindstrom, a member of the Jets for the past four seasons, says he wants to stay. "I've been here four years now, and I like it," said Lindstrom. "This is where I want to play, especially now that Tom (McVie) is the coach and Fergie the general manager. It's a pleasure playing for them."

During the season, Lindstrom had 26 goals and 36 assists in 79 games, while in the playoffs he's produced six goals and four assists in four games for a World Hockey Association record of 10 points in a series sweep.

Ferguson is also upset with what he called the NHL's itinerary for the month of June, when the four WHA clubs—New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers and the Jets —- officially join the 62-yearold league.

The schedule is as follows:

May 31i-June 9 —Deadline for all NHL trades.

June l-June 4 (5 p.m.) — Deadline for NHL clubs to claim players from the WHA.

June 7 (5 p.m.) — Deadline for WHA clubs to protect two skaters and two goaltenders.

June 19 (8 p.m.) — Deadline for NHL clubs to protect 15 skaters and two goaltenders.

June 12 (1 p.m.) — Expansion draft.

June 13 (2 p.m.) — Amateur draft.

What disturbs Ferguson is the order in which the teams protect — WHA teams first, then the NHL — and the trading deadline, which falls after the seventh and before the 10th.

This would mean that a team that doesn't have room to put a player such as Kent Nilsson or Barry Long on its "15 and 2" protected list, could trade the player to a team that does have room for a consideration of some kind.

"It's unfair," said Ferguson. "I called it rape in Chicago. But i t 's worse than that."

Ferguson has had meetings with Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames and Chicago Black Hawks in the past week. He had reason to believe there was room for "manceuverability." He had discussed the possibility of protecting a player for someone else for a concession.

"I don't deal in draft choices," he said. "I'll never deal a first-rounder." Ferguson expects very little talent will be available in the expansion draft. Last weekend he and his scouts — Mike Doran and Les Binkley —held a mock draft at which time it became apparent the pickings would be slim.

"The players who will be available will be the ones with two or three years left on their contracts, who can't play in the NHL," he said. "And we'll nave to take four of them from every team in the league. They'll use us to clean up their own rosters." Meanwhile, Ferguson is seeking the support of weaker clubs in the NHL for a system for the drafting of under-age players.

"I'd like to see them draft the 19-year-olds separately," he said.

"Then, hold a new draft of the underage players, but let the four WHA teams go first. That's what I'm lobbying for."

[JETStender]

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1979

NHL expansion game no exercise in charity
Hal Sigurdson
Sports Editor

One can fully appreciate why John Ferguson's voice took on such an indignant ring after he'd had a look at the schedule of events leading up to the National Hockey League's expansion draft.

As he was telling Free Press hockey writer Reyn Davis in yesterday's editions, the NHL has everything set up so the new boys from Winnipeg, Edmonton, Quebec City and New England will get it right in the ear. What I can't figure out is why Fergy seems so surprised. Isn't that how the old league has always handled these things? But then he's been spoiled.

As a player, John performed with the Montreal Canadiens and while the NHL constitution may declare all its members equal, the Canadiens have always been a little more equal than anyone else. Then he went to work for the New York Rangers and while they may not be quite as equal as the Canadiens, they sit well above the salt.

The board of governors does not go out of its way to reach decisions which might offend the Rangers.

Raw meat for the wolves

Now, however, Fergy finds himself as general manager of the Jets who are about to become an expansion team. The way the NHL has things figured, expansion teams are raw meat to be fed to its established members. And the richest teams get to take the biggest bite. Just ask the Sabres, Canucks, Islanders, Flames, Rockies and Capitals who have been through this exercise before.

The game plan is to separate the new boys from as much money as traffic will bear and give them as little as possible in return.

Fergy's complaint about the deadlines established for trading and the new and old teams naming their protected players is a case in point. If the NHL wanted to give the new teams an even break, no trades would be allowed until after the expansion draft, but that would leave Montreal with a real dilemma.

What separates the Canadiens from the pack is not that their best players are significantly better than anyone else's best. What sets them apart is the fact their worst players are a whole lot better than the worst players in the rest of the league. Each game the Canadiens will have two or three players sitting in the press box who would be regulars with almost any other team.

It is this collection of above average spear carriers which is the Canadiens' strength. Whenever necessary they have been able to deal them off for future draft choices or lump several of them together in exchange for an established star.

Though they're still casting around for'a fourth defenceman to go with Robinson, Savard and Lapointe, at the moment the Canadiens have a vintage crop of useful journeymen, such as Cam Connor, Gilles Lupien, Pat Hughes, Rick Chartraw and Rod Langway. In addition, they've got that nice little bundle of players reclaimed from the WHA. If the Canadiens had to declare their protected list of 15 skaters and two goaltenders tomorrow they would be forced to lose four (the most any of the old teams can lose in expansion) pretty handy hockey players.

Sam invented the system

But of course they won't because during that May 31 to June 9 trading period Irving Grundman will find some way to make the best ones disappear. If he has trouble figuring out how it's done, all he has to do is call his predecessor Sam Pollock who invented the system.

What will happen is the Canadiens will make as many deals as necessary with teams who don't have 15 players worth protecting. They'll ship out three or four journeymen in exchange for one star. They'll deal them off in pairs for first-round draft choices. Or singly for that old standby, future considerations.

By the time the Jets, Whalers, Oilers and Nordiques get to the head of the line, all that will be left will be players the Canadiens want to unload. Almost as damaging a shaft is the league's decision to make the new boys declare the two players and two goaltenders they are allowed to protect by June 7 while giving the old teams until June 10 to name their 15 and 2. That gives the old boys three days to make people disappear after finding out which WHA goodies they'll be allowed to keep.

It also limits the bluffing possibilities of the new GMs. If the old teams had only three hours instead of three days to decide on their protected lists, Ferguson could go to, say, Atlanta and demand, "Make a deal or I'll make Kent Nilsson one of my protected players." Cliff Fletcher, the Flames' general manager, couldn't be sure he wasn't bluffing.

And even if he was, he'd have only three hours to figure out who to leave open to make room for Nilsson. Now he's got three days and if Fergy wants to make a deal Fletcher will tell him, "Swell John, but don't call me, I'll call you."

The NHL has a clear cut policy on expansion teams, though Fergy may not have noticed when he was with Montreal and New York. The policy is simple. If one of the new boys seems to be drowning, throw him an anchor.

[JETStender]

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1979

Hatskin gave WHA instant respectability and a future
By REYN DAVIS

As you step through the heavy oak doors of his office, a familiar face watches.

The photo is seven years old. . .of a 33-year-old Bobby Hull, grinning broadly, his thick arms folded across his chest, wrapped by a Chicago Black Hawk sweater.

It was taken by a Sports I Illustrated photographer for the cover story of an issue in I April of 1972. Three months later, "The Man They're Trying To Steal" actually left the National Hockey League to pioneer the World Hockey Association.

Ben Hatskin has never regretted that move, though the WHA has been around long enough to cost a parade of owners $50 million. Twenty-two cities were! abandoned, 23 teams folded! and 29 arenas have been left behind. A total of 803 players were employed, 85 of them by Winnipeg Jets, the team' Hatskin founded.

Hull is retired from hockey, and thinking about a comeback, while Hatskin, comfortable in his own right, is entering his last month of employment as the WHA's chief executive officer.

"It's not fun no more," he said, earthy as ever. For seven years he has been the foundation of the WHA. No one has had more respect. But they don't ask anymore.

The teams are owned by national companies and multi-million dollar syndicates, and they're going to the 62-year-old National Hockey League with more hopes than ideas.

No longer can they forge their own destiny, the expensive but magnificent game everyone could play in the WHA.

Hatskin "supposes" that he could become involved again, though the $8.5 million price tag it's costing the Jets' owners is an intimidating figure.

The signing of Hull will long be remembered as the WHA's bombshell that alerted the hockey world that the new league had arrived.

And that signing was engineered by Hatskin, the gruff businessman who made a fortune in real estate, night clubs, race horses and juke boxes. His toy was junior hockey.

The idea of organizing a second major league in hockey had been bandied about for two months when Hatskin travelled to Vancouver to meet Hull for the first time in November, 1971.

It was Grey Cup weekend in Vancouver and, as an added attraction, the Black Hawks were meeting the Canucks at the Pacific Coliseum.

Hatskin had rented the biggest suite in the Georgia Hotel. He wanted to make a good impression. They met alone for 45 minutes.

Hatskin mentioned $1 million for five years. Hull, who was earning $90,000 from the Black Hawks, said he could be interested. He promised to get back to him. Hull went back to Chicago and talked to his business manager, Harvey Wineberg.

"In those days we thought a million was a lot of money," said Hatskin. "But when Wineberg called, the price had gone up. He wanted $250,000 for five years with a million up front.

"I almost fell off the chair. At that time no athlete — anywhere —was getting that kind of money."

The price neither rose nor fell. Negotiations continued until the night of June 26, 1972.

Hull was presented a $1 million cheque in St. Paul, Minn. It was supposed to be divided evenly by each of the 12 teams in the league.

But, of the amount, $550,000 was put up by Hatskin and months went by before everybody contributed his share.

"I knew we had to get him because he was the only superstar left in hockey," said Hatskin. "Gordie (Howe) had quit. But I'm sure the Wirtzes (the Black Hawks' owners) could have bought Bobby a lot cheaper than we did. The fortunate part was, they were too stubborn."

Hatskin operated the Jets for two seasons while rumors swirled that Hull would be going back to Chicago.

"Bobby threatened to quit at least 40 times," said Hatskin. "But I would say 'Take a rest. Go to Florida for a couple of weeks. I'll pick up the tab.' But he'd change his mind every time."

To this day Hatskin is satisfied that Hull was worth every dime of that investment. "I've never seen a person would could do the things he did," said H a t s k i n .

"Bobby worked 24 hours a day for the WHA. He was worth more than we paid him. I don't think the league would have lasted six I months without him."

The two men are not as I close as they once were. Hatskin went the way of the league while Hull grew I closer to the team. But their objectives were the same.

"I'm satisfied that the best cities are going into the NHL, and I'm happy that the league was kept together for seven years," he said. "But, like I say, it's not fun no more."

The game is losing a great personality. But maybe not for long.

[JETStender]

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1979


WHA requests talks with NHL

EDMONTON (CP) — The World Hockey Association has asked for a meeting with the National Hockey League expansion committee to discuss new terms that would allow NHL teams to make player deals prior to completion of the merger.

Larry Gordon, general manager of Edmonton Oilers, said the new terms came to light at a WHA executive meeting Monday.

"It's the consensus of the four WHA teams that the terms as they stand now are not acceptable," Gordon said. Gordon said the terms would allow NHL teams to make player deals from May 31 to June 9, a situation that could let powerhouse teams like Montreal Canadiens trade excess players to weaker teams for draft choices.

That would prevent WHA teams from selecting the excess players in the reverse draft and allow weaker NHL teams to strengthen themselves.

As well, WHA executives were told the NHL has also inserted a condition that includes a free-agent list which would allow NHL teams to reclaim certain players who signed with the WHA as free agents.

The four WHA clubs accepted into the NHL for next season — Edmonton, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers and Quebec Nordiques — agreed a month ago to play $6 million each and protect only two skaters and two goalies as conditions of entry.

[JETStender]

Sunday, May 6,1979

WHA Owner Unhappy With NHL

WINNIPEG (UP!)-John Ferguson says he is disgusted with recent NHL actions affecting the order of events in next month's player draft.

The Jets' vice president and general manager was concerned .about the NHL's announcement that NHL teams will be allowed to conduct trades from May 31 to June 9.

"We discussed that schedule at the Chicago merger m e e t i n g s , " Ferguson said Friday. "But the schedule has been amended since then.'' Ferguson said the NHL expansion committee which drew up the schedule "seems to have all the power.

"We understood that the rosters would be frozen," he said. "It (the player deadline) gives the NHL teams time to make moves with the players." He and Edmonton Oiler general manager Larry Gordon have said that the new terms were added to allow NHL teams to trade excess players for draft choices, making them less vulnerable in the expansion draft. But NHL commissioner John Ziegler has denied the allegation.

"They could trade players left off their protected lists for draft choices or other considerations and we wouldn't get any of the available players," said Ferguson. "These players would just go on another NHL protected list."

He also denied reports in a Winnipeg newspaper that he had accused the Montreal Canadiens of tampering with Jet winger Willy Lindstrom. "There isn't any tampering at all," Ferguson said.

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Tuesday, May 8, 1979

Stingers victims of the times

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association were victims of the changing times in professional hockey, according to their executive vice president, Bill DeWitt Jr.

"When we started hockey was booming," DeWitt, recalled Monday of the Stingers plunge into major league hockey four years ago. "Cities that had never had hockey had done very well and we felt Cincinnati could do well. "After we got into it, the escalation of player salaries, the tremendous war between the leagues, and the whole atmosphere of the industry did change from the time we came in until the point where it is now."

The Stingers were left out of the recent inclusion of four WHA teams in the National Hockey League but they will probably survive as a a minor league franchise.

DeWitt felt that the approximately $8.5 million paid by each of the four WHA clubs to get into the NHL was just too much for Stingers investors. "In our situation today it (moving to the NHL) is not a viable venture," DeWitt said. "That's not to say it can't be in a couple of years when the industry itself improves but right now we don't see it that way."

[JETStender]

Mon. May 21, 1979

Jets celebrate after final WHA title

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP)-The Winnipeg Jets were in their glory Sunday night after knocking off the Edmonton Oilers 7-3 in the sixth game of the World Hockey Association championship series.

As the final whistle sounded Sunday and the Jets had won the series four games to two, it marked the end of the WHA. The 10,195 fans in attendance poured adulation on their heroes and some of the men who founded the league and struggled with it for seven years.

Ben Hatskin, who was instrumental in luring former National Hockey League star Bobby Hull to Winnipeg in 1972, got a rousing cheer when he was called to center ice to stand next to the cup.

"I know the Jets will keep this <the trophy! in a safe spot to remember the WHA, which did a great thing for a lot of people in hockey," said a jubilant Hatskin.

The cup will be the permanent property of the Jets who are joining the NHL this summer along with Edmonton, Quebec and the New England Whalers. At the same time the WHA will fold.

This was the Jets third WHA championship

[JETStender]

Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, May 26, 1979

Ferguson plots and plots
By Reyn Davis

The other day John Ferguson had an idea and Pittsburgh Penguins were pretending to listen.

The conversation might have gone like this:
Ferguson: "Fellas, we're going to protect Morris Lukowich so you might as well kiss him goodbye. He's going to be with us and that's that."
Penguins: "So what?"
Ferguson: "So if you want something in return for a guy you're not going to get anyway, we'll give you $100,000 if you'll agree not to claim him on your list."
Penguins: "That's $100,000? Did we hear you right."
Ferguson: "You heard me right."
Penguins: "Well, John, thanks for the offer. But no deal. See you later."

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for Winnipeg Jets to make the deals they need to make to keep the players they need to keep. The high priority players are Terry Ruskowski, Kent Nilsson, Scott Campbell, Barry Long, Rich Preston and Lukowich.

Two of them can be protected by the Jets, along with two goaltenders. Ferguson seriously doubts that he will be able to dip into the expansion draft for more than one player who will be able to genuinely help the team next season.

His grave concerns about the expansion draft have made him more determined than ever to make the deals that will allow him to keep the players he has now. What has Ferguson got to offer?

Money, which can't buy everything; Bobby Hull's word that he won't go to Chicago unless the Jets are compensated; and the first choice in the expansion draft.

Ferguson might make a deal with Montreal Canadiens by choosing a player the Habs can least afford to lose in the expansion draft in exchange for a consideration on another player.

Consequently, if the Jets overlooked the 18th best player on the Canadiens' roster and chose the 20th best the Habs may reciprocate by giving them their 22nd best as well.. .after the draft is over.

"I realized long ago that nobody sells you a first- or second-team all-star," said Ferguson. "But you know that the player Montreal wouldn't mind parting ,with is going to be a pretty good hockey player,"

Totally enveloped in his work, Ferguson is constantly thinking of new angles that can hasten his quest of building a winning, entertaining NHL team in Winnipeg.

One wall of his office is being filled with the names of the players on each roster in the NHL, Black letters on a white background give a distinctively neat appearance to the columns of names below each team.

The teams are divided according to their divisions and far down the left side are the Jets, members of the Smythe Division along with Chicago Black Hawks, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Blues.

Under the Jets are the names of players whose NHL rights they own —Gary Smith, Mike Amodeo, Bill Davis, Lars-Erik Sjoberg, Peter Sullivan, Roland Eriksson, Bobby Guindon, John Gray, Bill Lesuk and, quite presumptiously, Willy Lindstrom.

Lindstrom will become a free agent on June 1 unless the Jets sign him before then.

The following is the revised itinerary for the expansion meetings in Montreal, June 7-13, when the Jets and their WHA brothers — Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers and Hartford Whalers — chose their NHL rosters.

• June 8 — Date for NHL members to reclaim any defected players.
• June 9 (Noon) — Each 1979 NHL (WHA) team shall submit its list of priority selections.
• June 9 (8 p.m.) — Deadline for NHL member clubs to make any amendments to its reserve lists, including trades, removal of free agents, etc.
• June 10 (8 p.m.) — Each NHL member club shall file its expansion draft protected list with NHL Central Registry.
• June 10 (11 p.m.) — NHL member clubs expansion draft lists shall be made available for inspection by t h e 1979 NHL ( W H A ) teams.
• June 13 (10 a.m.) — Expansion draft shall begin