The World Hockey Association Collection from Royal Retros celebrates the WHA, the groundbreaking major professional league that operated from 1972 to 1979 and reshaped the entire landscape of modern hockey. More than just a rival to the NHL, the WHA revolutionized the sport by signing superstar talent, opening new markets, establishing international recruiting pipelines, and showcasing a fast, offensive, high-energy style of play that captured the imagination of fans around the world. The WHA remains one of the most important and influential leagues in hockey history, and this collection honors its full legacy — every team, every era, every superstar, and every iconic moment.
Formed in 1972, the WHA challenged the NHL directly by offering higher salaries, more opportunity, and the freedom for players to become stars overnight. The league made headlines immediately by signing Bobby Hull to a record-breaking contract with the Winnipeg Jets, a move that not only legitimized the WHA but also forced the NHL to modernize its player salary structure. The WHA went on to sign hundreds of impact players, including Gordie Howe, Mark Howe, Marty Howe, Derek Sanderson, Bernie Parent, Paul Shmyr, Norm Ullman, Frank Mahovlich, Paul Henderson, Robbie Ftorek, Marc Tardif, Réal Cloutier, Anders Hedberg, Ulf Nilsson, and a young Wayne Gretzky, who began his pro career with the Indianapolis Racers and quickly became the face of the Edmonton Oilers. These players elevated the WHA beyond a challenger league — they made it a true major league in its own right.
The WHA introduced a wider, more international flavor to professional hockey, bringing in European superstars such as Hedberg, Nilsson, Veli-Pekka Ketola, Vaclav Nedomansky, and Anders Steen, all of whom proved that European players could thrive at the highest levels of North American hockey. The fast, high-scoring style of the WHA helped push the evolution of the game toward speed, skill, and creativity. Many innovations — including larger role for offensive defensemen, freedom for underage players, and a more open style of play — came directly from WHA influence.
The Winnipeg Jets became one of the WHA’s signature franchises, thanks to Bobby Hull and the Swedish connection of Hedberg and Nilsson. They played a dazzling, high-flying brand of hockey and became multi-time Avco Cup champions. The Edmonton Oilers evolved from a scrappy startup club into a powerhouse with the arrival of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier (briefly), Dave Dryden, Al Hamilton, and other future NHL stars. The Quebec Nordiques developed one of the strongest fanbases in the league and featured elite players such as Marc Tardif and Réal Cloutier. The New England Whalers formed one of the most stable and successful WHA franchises, featuring Rick Ley, John McKenzie, and later Gordie Howe during his comeback with the Houston Aeros and Whalers.
The Houston Aeros became a dominant force in the WHA with Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty. The Aeros were incredibly successful both on the ice and at the box office, becoming one of the best professional hockey teams in the world during the mid-1970s. The Phoenix Roadrunners brought exciting, offense-driven hockey to the desert and quickly became known for their fun, fast-paced style. The San Diego Mariners built a strong following with competitive teams and a distinctive coastal identity. The Cincinnati Stingers brought big-league hockey to Ohio with standout players like Robbie Ftorek and Mike Gartner. The Indianapolis Racers gained international attention for signing Wayne Gretzky at age 17 before his sale to Edmonton. The Birmingham Bulls became known for both skilled youngsters and the infamous “Baby Bulls,” a group of elite underage players such as Michel Goulet, Rob Ramage, Gaston Gingras, and Craig Hartsburg.
Other teams left their marks as well. The Los Angeles Sharks and later Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades were among the WHA’s early experiments in major U.S. markets. The Chicago Cougars reached the Avco Cup Finals and built a surprisingly loyal fanbase. The Vancouver Blazers and Calgary Cowboys wrote chapters in Western Canadian hockey history. The Cleveland Crusaders, led by Gerry Cheevers and Paul Shmyr, became one of the league’s most competitive defensive squads. The Ottawa Nationals became the Toronto Toros, who featured stars such as Mark Napier and Pat Hickey. The Minnesota Fighting Saints became a fan favorite with their physical, blue-collar identity and unique team culture. The San Francisco and later Jersey Knights offered some of the WHA’s most unusual and memorable branding. The Denver Spurs and Ottawa Civics represented short-lived but fascinating experiments in expanding the league’s footprint.
The WHA was known for its dramatic moments, high-scoring games, passionate crowds, and iconic personalities. Its final season in 1978–79 brought clarity to its legacy when four of its strongest franchises — the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, and New England Whalers — joined the NHL, permanently altering the league’s structure and expanding major-league hockey into new territories. The WHA’s influence transformed player salaries, opened the door for European and underage players, and accelerated the evolution of hockey toward the modern game known today.
The Royal Retros WHA Collection honors all of this history with vintage-inspired jerseys, shirts, and hats that echo the bold uniforms, vibrant logos, and unforgettable looks of WHA franchises from across the league’s seven-year run. This collection includes team influences from the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, New England Whalers, Houston Aeros, Phoenix Roadrunners, Cincinnati Stingers, Indianapolis Racers, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Cleveland Crusaders, Toronto Toros, Chicago Cougars, Calgary Cowboys, San Diego Mariners, Vancouver Blazers, Los Angeles Sharks, Ottawa Nationals, Birmingham Bulls, San Francisco/Jersey Knights, Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades, Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics, and other short-lived but historically important clubs. Every design reflects the WHA’s spirit — fast, fierce, experimental, and fearless.
The league’s influence remains undeniable: it produced Hall of Famers, created new hockey markets, changed the economics of the sport, accelerated the integration of European talent, and helped usher in the most transformative era of professional hockey. The World Hockey Association left a legacy far greater than its lifespan, and the Royal Retros WHA Collection is the deepest, most accurate, and most comprehensive tribute to that revolutionary league available anywhere.