According to an article on the Detroit Free Press web site, the Detroit franchise of the new WHA have named Moe Mantha as their head coach. Mantha spent 11 years in the NHL starting in 1980, and continued playing on a minor league level for another 12 years.
More interestingly the article pointed out that only four of the intended franchises appear ready to play. It states that the Toronto and Hamilton teams still haven’t solidified building leases. And that the sale of the Orlando and Jacksonville teams (who currently play in the Southern Hockey League) to a business man in Calgary that was to move them to the WHA, has fallen through. But nothing has been officially verified either. So who knows.
Another change to the rules was stated in the article as well that should make the WHA game interesting to watch is their desire to use an internation size rink. The NHL rink size is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. In international play (like the Olympics) the rink width is 100 feet. It leaves more room for skilled, faster players to open up their game.
It will be intesting to see if they can pull together at least two more teams to open the season. Four just isn’t enough, and they can get away with six given the history of the NHL.
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