August 9, 1977 – The National Hockey League voted to refuse a merger of six World Hockey Association franchises. The NHL President John Ziegler reported that the NHL owners at the time rejected an offer to expand the League by absorbing 6 teams from the WHA.
These 6 squads were the Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, Cincinnati Stingers, Houston Aeros, and the Winnipeg Jets. Almost a year later the NHL decided to accept the merger on June 22, 1979, thus ending the existence of the WHA.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Free Hit: 3 Teams with Big Odds that Can Compete in the NBA this Season
As the 2024/25 NBA season gets underway, it’s not exactly a secret that the

Memorable Moments in Manchester Derbies: Best Goals and Saves
There are few more intense rivalries on the English schedule than Manchester United vs.

The Clint Longley Game (Thanksgiving 1974)
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, my friend Dave DePaola and I have a

Breaking Barriers: 5 Pioneering Trainers of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby, often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports,” is not

The Historical Impact of the Champions League on Modern Betting Trends
The UEFA Champions League has captivated soccer fans worldwide and transformed the landscape of

Bucky Lew: The Man Who Single-Handedly Integrated Every Single Role In Pro Hoops
As the man who single-handedly integrated every single role in pro hoops, Harry “Bucky”

The Joy of Collecting Sports Memorabilia
I began collecting sports memorabilia around 1968 or 1969, mostly football and baseball cards.

Discussing the 1975 AFC Championship Game
On January 4, 1976, the Oakland Raiders traveled into Three Rivers Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the championship of the American Football Conference.