| World
Hockey Association regular season competition begins Wednesday night, with the Cincinnati
Stingers playing host to the Indianapolis Racers at Riverfront Coliseum in the local
opener. The WHA is down to just eight teams this year following a long and unsuccessful
bid to join the National Hockey League. Gone this year are franchises in San Diego,
Phoenix and Calgary. Its time to take a look at the Stingers opposition in the league this
year with some expert assistance from new Cincinnati coach Jacques Demers. The logical
starting point is 100 miles up interstate 74 in Indianapolis with the Racers a team which
blanked the Stingers in the opening round of the WHA playoffs last year under (guess who)
coach Jacques Demers. This year the Racers have new ownership
out of Edmonton, Alberta, and a new coach, Ron Ingram, who coached the Mariners in San
Diego. They have made a number of changes including the acquisition of NHL goalie Gary
Inness and some new defensemen. "What they've done is get a younger defense,"
said Demers. "But the key is the offense. It wasn't that good last year and
don't think they've improved. There isn't much speed there. Inness is a question mark
because he hasn't played regularly for over a year."
The New England Whalers must be considered one of the top teams in
the league this year because of an impressive off-season rebuilding program. The major
move, of course, was the acquisition of the Howes - Gordie and sons Mark and Marty. Add to
that the presence of goalie Al Smith and most of last season's team and you have a strong
squad. New England has to be the most improved team in the WHA," according to Demers.
"Gordie is a great leader and Mark and Marty are excellent players. With Al Smith at
goal along with (Louis) Levasseur they're strong in the net. The questions are whether
Rick Ley and Brad Selwood can stay healthy all season and if George Lyle (WHA rookie of
the year) can repeat."
The Quebec Nordiques defending WHA champs, are probably stronger
this year, if that's possible. Goalie Smokey McLeod and left winger Peter Driscoll were
picked up from the defunct Calgary Cowboys, and all-pro defenseman J.C. Tremblay is
healthy and under contract. And the impressive scoring punch of Marc Tardiff, Real
Cloutier, Serge Bernier and the Bordeleau brothers are still there. "Quebec has
strength in goal with McLeod to back up Richard Brodeur and they added muscle up front
with Peter Driscoll," said Demers. "They are still the toughest team in the
league."
The Winnipeg Jest have a new coach in Larry Hillman, replacing Bobby
Kromm who went to Detroit, and they've added some beef to a lineup that already included
Bobby Hull, Andres Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. "They have a solid defense and the
addition of Kim Clackson (Indy's bad boy the past season) will give them someone to do the
heavy work on the road," Demers explained. "They have (Gary) Bromley to back up
Joe Daley in goal and a new coach could make a big difference. Hillman may be able to
avoid some of the problems the team had under Kromm."
The Birmingham Bulls who like Indianapolis almost didn't make it
back this year, are going under new coach Glen Sonmor, formerly coach of the Minnesota
Fighting Saints. But there haven't been too many other changes and the Bulls don't look
much stronger. "Birmingham picked up Joe Noris (San Diego) to fill a weak spot in the
middle and they have Mark Napier and (Vaclav) Nedomansky, so the offense is there. (John)
Garrett is one of the best goalies in the business. But defense is still a problem."
The Houston Aeros must find the solution to the loss of the Howe
family, as well as the defection of goalie Ron Grahame to the Boston Bruins. Former
Stinger John Hughs is thee on defense and Andre Lacroix will pick up some of the scoring,
but that may not be enough. "The defense isn't getting any younger, although they do
have some young players," Demers said of the Aeros. "Wayne Rutledge and Clay
Hebenton are the goalies, but Ron Grahame will be missed. And the loss of the Howes is
hard to measure."
The Edmonton Oilers made a lot of moves in the off season, acquiring
players right and left. Whether all that buying and selling will improve the product,
however, remains to be seen. Ron Chipperfield (Calgary) and Blair McDonald (Indianapolis)
will help offensively and former Stinger Dave Inkpen is back home, joined by veteran Paul
Shmyr on defense. 'They (Oilers) made so many moves it's difficult to say what they'll be
like," said Demers. "They have a lot of good hockey players and all we can do is
see how they work together." That's how it looks, briefly, in the WHA this year. Only
time will tell who has the real strength and which four teams will meet in the playoffs in
April. |
