Hockey Trivia: The WHA And Its Amateur Draft

The World Hockey Association existed for just seven years in the 1970’s. Most years, they ran an amateur draft alongside that of the National Hockey League. Often, the results of the drafts in each league were quite similar and the prospects had the option to choose between the two professional hockey leagues. The NHL was stable and the WHA was a risky venture that offered a chance to make a whole lot of money or lose everything.

Test and expand your knowledge of hockey trivia with these four questions based on the WHA’s Amateur Draft.

Q. In 1973, the first overall draft pick at the WHA Amateur Draft opted to play for what NHL team?

A. Bob Neely was selected first overall in the 1973, WHA Amateur draft but decided to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs chose Neely tenth overall in the 1973 NHL Entry Draft. Bob went on to play 283 regular season games in the NHL, scoring 39 goals and assisting on 59 for 98 points. He played an additional 26 games in the Stanley Cup playoffs, adding 12 points.

Neely played pro hockey from 1973-74 to 1979-80 in the NHL, CHL and AHL. Typically, a player will go from being an offensive star in junior to a role player and even enforcer in the NHL. Bob is an odd case study where that went nearly in reverse.

With the Roger Neilson coached Peterborough Petes of the OHL in 1972-73, Neely led the league with 304 penalty minutes over 55 regular season games. However, he also scored 24 and totalled 76 points. With the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1976-77, he wasn’t exactly a powerhouse but his 17 goals and 33 points over 70 games were decent numbers for that time in NHL history. However, his penalty minute totals were certainly eye-catching at just 16 PIM.

Q. Bob Neely was a draft pick of what World Hockey Association team?

A. The Chicago Cougars selected Bob Neely. The Cougars were an original WHA team that played three seasons before folding. Their greatest success came in their second season when they lost in the Avco Cup finals to the Houston Aeros.

Q. What first overall pick in 1974 played one season in the WHA then moved to the NHL where he had a 700+ regular season game career?

A. Pat Price was selected first overall by the Vancouver Blazers. Price played one full season with the Blazers then went on to play for the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Quebec Nordiques, New York Rangers and Minnesota North Stars.

In 1975, Pat was the eleventh overall pick at the NHL Amateur Draft by the Islanders after four years of junior with the Saskatoon Blades. The defenseman topped out with eleven goals as a member of the Edmonton Oilers in 1979-80, the team’s first year in the NHL. Price retired after playing just 14 games with the North Stars in 1987-88.

Q. Who was the last first overall pick in the WHA Entry Draft?

A. Scott Campbell was taken first overall by the Houston Aeros in 1977. The league would continue for one more season but did not have a draft before that last season. Campbell played a year for the Aeros then moved on to the Winnipeg Jets.

Scott was also taken ninth overall by the St. Louis Blues at the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft. He would play three games with St. Louis but not until 1981-82. After three years of junior with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, Campbell played pro from 1977-78 to 1981-82 in the WHA, NHL and CHL.