DeLaWho? DeLaWhat? DeLaWhere?

The original WHA was officially became a league in a Delawhere courthouse in 1971. With 10 franchises, the league played from '72 to '79. The league introduced numerous teams into the NHL after it dissolved including the once powerful Edmonton Oilers. THe original WHA was able to lure NHL players away from their teams with big money. But, times have changed....The re-born World Hockey Association will begin play in late October 2004 according to Commissioner Bobby Hull. With a 15 million dollar salary cap and 5 million dollar marquee player distinction, 8 franchises are looking forward to the WHA season. Teams from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Detroit, Dallas, Orlando, Jacksonville, Toronto, and Hamilton have joined the league. The WHA expects at least 2 to 4 teams to join the league before the "inaugural" season begins. Though the leauge will not necessarily replace the NHL, it will provide an alternate setting for some stars including Martin St. Louis. Skilled players like St. Louis would enjoy some rule changes like the removal of the center red line, no-touch icing, touch up offside, and three on three overtime followed by a sudden death shootout to get rid of ties.

Thank the lord for the WHA, if I dont get my hockey fix next season because Gary Bettman messes stuff up with the NHL, I would have been a fiend.