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New York Golden Blades

1973/74: For their second season, the New York’s WHA team underwent a full makeover becoming the Golden Blades, with new colors and a logo with a skate that looked more like one used in Figure Skating as opposed to a hockey skate. The newly minted Golden Blades signed Andre Lacroix who had played with the Philadelphia Blazers, and was one of the best players in the league. However, nothing could solve the attendance woes as the Blades were largely ignored in the Big Apple, as Defenseman Harry Howell took over for Camile Henry as the team’s coach 21 games into the season. Owner Ralph Brent turned the team over to the league in November, as mounting debts made keeping the team running at the Garden impossible. The team would move to Cherry Hill, New Jersey a Philadelphia suburb at the beginning on December beating the Minnesota Fighting Saints 2-1 in their final game in New York on December 2nd to head down the Turnpike with a record of 8-12-4.

Jersey Knights

1973/74: After the Philadelphia Blazers moved to Vancouver, the Philadelphia market was open for the WHA. However, instead of playing in the City where the Blazers had failed, the Golden Blades were moved to Cherry Hill and became the Jersey Knights. Cherry Hill Arena was poorly suited for hockey as the ice titled heavily giving the Knights a huge advantage in two of three periods. The locker facilities were severely cramped as visiting teams were forced to change in their hotels before coming to the game, which averaged 500 fans per game. After losing their first game as the Knights on the road against the Houston Aeros, the Knights won their Cherry Hill debut by edging the Cleveland Crusaders 3-2. The Knights played well after their move to Jersey and played their way into playoff contention. However, a six game losing streak to end the season would have the Knights back in last place with an overall record of 32-42-4, as Andre Lacroix led the team with 111 points, highlighted by 80 assists. Despite recording a somewhat better record of 24-30-0 while playing in the Garden State, the Knights would be on the move again to San Diego following the season. Ironically the Jersey Knights’ last game would be in Southern California a 6-4 road loss to the Los Angeles Sharks.