7 GREATEST WHA SINGLES
The renegade league lasted just seven seasons, but over that short period of time it changed the way the game was organized, played and collected.
1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Team Logos Philadelphia Blazers
Each of the 13 WHA representatives in this series – 12 teams plus the league logo – is listed as a short print. To this day, there are dealers who will argue that some are shorter than others. Whether that’s true or not, the Blazers logo remains the most in-demand of the lot. The team, led by Bernie Parent and Derek Sanderson, lasted just one season, and it has become one of the most romanticized franchises.
1973-74 O-PeeChee WHA Posters #14 Howe Family
Although OPC didn’t issue a traditional WHA card set in 197374, they didn’t overlook the league entirely. This oddball series offered a pack of two posters and a stick of gum for just 10 cents. A half century later, this 7.5” by 13.75” poster featuring Howe with his sons Mark and Marty remains a collector favorite … especially when found without pinholes in the corners.
1973-74 Quaker Oats #50 Bobby Hull
This single has everything going for it. Hull was one of the game’s ultimate superstars, and it was his decision to jump leagues that legitimized the WHA. It features the only on-ice photo in the entire series, and captures that classic Jets jersey. It’s also the last card in the series, making it highly condition sensitive. No wonder it’s the most desired single in this groundbreaking food premium.
1975-76 O-Pee-Chee WHA #34 Jacques Plante
The legendary goaltender’s final career card is tinged with tragedy. After retiring multiple times, the 45-year-old was convinced to return for the 1974-75 campaign with the Edmonton Oilers. He put together a decent season, going 15-14-1 with a 3.32 GAA, and was set to return the following year. Sadly, during training camp, he learned of the death of his son and walked away from the game for a final time.
1972-73 O-Pee-Chee #341 Gerry Pinder
Pinder enjoyed the finest season of his nine-year professional career in 1972-73, tallying 30 goals and 66 points for the Cleveland Crusaders, but that’s not why collectors still covet this card. Instead, the demand is driven by it being the last card in the series, and thus prone to all the cruelties that arose from being wrapped in elastics or jammed into shoeboxes.
1973-74 Quaker Oats WHA #2 Al Smith
Everything about this card is amazing. There’s the classic New England Whalers jersey with the Vineyard Vines shoulder patch. Then there’s the incredibly awkward studio pose (who reaches opposite side with their closed glove hand?). And finally, the truly unfortunate hair style. Didn’t Al have any friends who could set him straight on that?
1975-76 O-Pee-Chee WHA #44 Richard Brodeur
Few players can make a posed studio shot look cool. Then again, few players are as cool as Brodeur. King Richard’s RC is an absolute gem, with his outstretched glove hand in the foreground as he reaches toward the camera, ready to snare a snapper before it finds the top shelf. From an aesthetic perspective alone, it’s a must-have.