The '''World Hockey Association general player draft''' was held over the course of two days, February 12 and 13, 1972, in Anaheim, California. The purpose of the draft was to establish an orderly process through which WHA teams would stock their rosters by the beginning of their inaugural season later that year. As such, players from other professional teams (notably National Hockey League clubs) were eligible to be drafted. The draftees were not under any legal obligation to sign with the drafting WHA club: other WHA clubs were prevented from negotiating with the players who had been drafted.
The draft was held in two parts: a "preliminary" round in which teams made so-called "priority" selections, and the rounds of the "general draft" which followed. For the preliminary round which was held in November 1971, each team wrote four names on a piece of paper, which were then submitted and announced prior to the start of the general draft.<ref>[http://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/DraftTrades/Years/1972-wha.htm 1972 WHA Draft Pick Transactions]</ref> The priority selections were the most sought after players, consisting mostly of NHL veterans and highly touted prospects.
Twelve teams took part in the draft: the Calgary Broncos, Chicago Cougars, Dayton Aeros, Edmonton Oil Kings, Los Angeles Sharks, Miami Screaming Eagles, Minnesota Fighting Saints, New England Whalers, Winnipeg Jets, and three then-unnamed franchises based in New York (later the Raiders), Ontario (later the Ottawa Nationals) and Quebec City (later the Nordiques).
The Broncos folded within months, before the beginning of the season, and the negotiating rights to their picks were transferred to a new club: the Cleveland Crusaders. Similarly the Screaming Eagles never took to the ice, and their picks transferred to the Philadelphia Blazers. The Dayton Aeros moved to Houston before the playing season, and the Oil Kings changed their name to Alberta Oilers with the intent of splitting home games between Edmonton and Calgary. {{TOC right}}
==Preliminary round==
===Calgary Broncos=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Barry|Gibbs}} | D | {{CAN}} | Minnesota North Stars | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jim|Harrison|Jim Harrison (ice hockey)}} | C | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Dale|Hoganson}} | D | {{CAN}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jack|Norris|Jack Norris (ice hockey)}} | G | {{CAN}} | Seattle Totems | WHL |}
===Chicago Cougars=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Stan|Mikita}} | C | {{CAN}} | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jerry|Korab}} | D | {{CAN}} | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jim|McKenny}} | D | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Gary|Smith|Gary Smith (ice hockey)}} | G | {{CAN}} | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL |}
===Dayton Aeros=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Guy|Trottier}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Andre|Hinse}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Phoenix Roadrunners | WHL |- | {{sortname|Larry|Lund}} | C | {{CAN}} | Phoenix Roadrunners | WHL |- | {{sortname|Wayne|Rutledge}} | G | {{CAN}} | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | WHL |}
===Alberta Oilers=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Norm|Ullman}} | C | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Bobby|Clarke}} | C | {{CAN}} | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Bruce|MacGregor}} | C | {{CAN}} | New York Rangers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Phil|Myre}} | G | {{CAN}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |}
===Los Angeles Sharks=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Ken|Dryden}} | G | {{CAN}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |- | {{sortname|Gilbert|Perreault}} | C | {{CAN}} | Buffalo Sabres | NHL |- | {{sortname|Matt|Ravlich}} | D | {{CAN}} | Boston Bruins | NHL |- | {{sortname|Steve|Sutherland|Steve Sutherland (ice hockey)}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Port Huron Wings | IHL |}
===Miami Screaming Eagles=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Bernie|Parent}} | G | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jude|Drouin}} | C | {{CAN}} | Minnesota North Stars | NHL |- | {{sortname|Derek|Sanderson}} | C | {{CAN}} | Boston Bruins | NHL |- | {{sortname|Bill|White|Bill White (ice hockey)}} | D | {{CAN}} | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL |}
===Minnesota Fighting Saints=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Pete|Mahovlich}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |- | {{sortname|Mike|Curran}} | G | {{USA}} | United States Olympic team | |- | {{sortname|Bill|Goldsworthy}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Minnesota North Stars | NHL |- | {{sortname|Dale|Tallon}} | D | {{CAN}} | Vancouver Canucks | NHL |}
===New England Whalers=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Bobby|Sheehan|Bobby Sheehan (ice hockey)}} | C | {{USA}} | California Golden Seals | NHL |- | {{sortname|Eddie|Johnston}} | G | {{CAN}} | Boston Bruins | NHL |- | {{sortname|Rick|Ley}} | D | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Larry|Pleau}} | C | {{USA}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |}
===New York=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Gerry|Desjardins}} | G | {{CAN}} | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL |- | {{sortname|Dave|Gardner|Dave Gardner (ice hockey)}} | C | {{CAN}} | Toronto Marlboros | OHA |- | {{sortname|Billy|Harris|Billy Harris (ice hockey, born 1952)}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Toronto Marlboros | OHA |- | {{sortname|Steve|Shutt}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Toronto Marlboros | OHA |}
===Ontario=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Doug|Favell}} | G | {{CAN}} | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Dave|Keon}} | C | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|Brad|Park}} | D | {{CAN}} | New York Rangers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Eddie|Shack}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Buffalo Sabres | NHL |}
===Quebec City=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Gilles|Villemure}} | G | {{CAN}} | New York Rangers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Guy|Lapointe}} | D | {{CAN}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jacques|Lemaire}} | F | {{CAN}} | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |- | {{sortname|John|McKenzie|John McKenzie (ice hockey)}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Boston Bruins | NHL |}
===Winnipeg Jets=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Bobby|Hull}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL |- | {{sortname|Ted|Green}} | D | {{CAN}} | Boston Bruins | NHL |- | {{sortname|Ted|Irvine}} | LW | {{CAN}} | New York Rangers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Ernie|Wakely}} | G | {{CAN}} | St. Louis Blues | NHL |}
==Regular rounds==
===Calgary Broncos===
====Rounds 1–10==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Steve|Carlyle}} | D | {{CAN}} | University of Alberta Golden Bears | CIAU |- | {{sortname|Ron|Homenuke}} | F | {{CAN}} | Calgary Centennials | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Ross|Lonsberry}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL |- | {{sortname|Jim|McMasters}} | F | {{CAN}} | Calgary Centennials | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Morris|Mott}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Queen's University Golden Gaels | CIAU |- | {{sortname|Gerry|Pinder}} | RW | {{CAN}} | California Golden Seals | NHL |- | {{sortname|Larry|Romanchych}} | C | {{CAN}} | Dallas Black Hawks | CHL |- | {{sortname|Gregg|Sheppard}} | C | {{CAN}} | Oklahoma City Blazers | CHL |- | {{sortname|Brian|Walker|Brian Walker (ice hockey)}} | C | {{CAN}} | Calgary Centennials | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Jimmy|Watson|Jimmy Watson (ice hockey)}} | D | {{CAN}} | Calgary Centennials | WCHL |}
====Rounds 11–20==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Ron|Boehm}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Boston Braves | AHL |- | {{sortname|Anatoli|Firsov}} | F | {{USSR}} | HC CSKA Moscow | USSR |- | {{sortname|Jozef|Golonka}} | F | {{CSK}} | SC Riessersee | Bundesliga |- | {{sortname|Lorne|Henning}} | C | {{CAN}} | New Westminster Bruins | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Skip|Krake}} | C | {{CAN}} | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | WHL |- | {{sortname|Bernie|Lukowich}} | F | {{CAN}} | New Westminster Bruins | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Ray|Martyniuk}} | G | {{CAN}} | Columbus Golden Seals | IHL |- | {{sortname|Randy|Rota}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Nova Scotia Voyageurs | AHL |- | {{sortname|Dallas|Smith|Dallas Smith (ice hockey)}} | D | {{CAN}} | Boston Bruins | NHL |- | {{sortname|Stan|Weir}} | C | {{CAN}} | Medicine Hat Tigers | WCHL |}
====Rounds 21–50==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Jeff|Ablett}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Medicine Hat Tigers | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Wayne|Bell|Wayne Bell (ice hockey)}} | G | {{CAN}} | Omaha Knights | CHL |- | {{sortname|Dwight|Bialowas}} | D | {{CAN}} | Regina Pats | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Yury|Blinov}} | F | {{USSR}} | CSKA Moscow | USSR |- | {{sortname|Lyle|Bradley}} | C | {{CAN}} | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | WHL |- | {{sortname|Gary|Braun|Gary Braun (ice hockey)}} | D | {{CAN}} | Toledo Hornets | IHL |- | {{sortname|Ken|Brown|Ken Brown (ice hockey)}} | G | {{CAN}} | Dallas Black Hawks | CHL |- | {{sortname|Jim|Cardiff}} | D | {{CAN}} | San Diego Gulls | WHL |- | {{sortname|Valeri|Kharlamov}} | LW | {{USSR}} | CSKA Moscow | USSR |- | {{sortname|Dave|Dunn}} | D | {{CAN}} | Seattle Totems | WHL |- | {{sortname|Ed|Dyck}} | G | {{CAN}} | Vancouver Canucks | NHL |- | {{sortname|Grant|Erickson}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Cleveland Barons | AHL |- | {{sortname|Jan|Eysselt}} | | {{CSK}} | | |- | {{sortname|Gerry|Hart}} | D | {{CAN}} | Fort Worth Wings | CHL |- | {{sortname|Petr|Hejma}} | F | {{CSK}}/{{FRG}} | Düsseldorfer EG | Bundesliga |- | {{sortname|Ted|Hodgson}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | WHL |- | {{sortname|Doug|Horbul}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Calgary Centennials | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Josef|Horesovsky}} | D | {{CSK}} | | |- | {{sortname|Ken|Ireland}} | C | {{CAN}} | New Westminster Bruins | WCHL |- | {{sortname|Darrel|Knibbs}} | C | {{CAN}} | Muskegon Mohawks | IHL |- | {{sortname|Al|McDonough}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL |- | {{sortname|Ray|McKay}} | D | {{CAN}} | Cincinnati Swords | AHL |- | {{sortname|Murray|McNeil}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Cleveland Barons | AHL |- | {{sortname|Ernie|Moser}} | RW | {{CAN}} | Nelson Maple Leafs | WIHL |- | {{sortname|Vaclav|Nedomansky}} | C | {{CSK}} | HC Slovan Bratislava | Czech. |- | {{sortname|Rod|Norrish}} | LW | {{CAN}} | Cleveland Barons | AHL |- | {{sortname|Veli-Pekka|Ketola}} | C | {{FIN}} | Assat Pori | SM-sarja |- | {{sortname|Darryl|Sittler}} | C | {{CAN}} | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL |- | {{sortname|George|Swarbrick}} | RW | {{CAN}} | San Diego Gulls | WHL |- | {{sortname|Joe|Watson|Joe Watson (ice hockey)}} | D | {{CAN}} | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL |}
====Rounds 51–70==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Grant|Clay}} || G || {{CAN}}||University of Manitoba||CIAU |- | {{sortname|Wayne|Doll}} || G || {{CAN}}||Long Island Ducks||EHL |- | {{sortname|Len|Frig}} || D || {{CAN}}||Dallas Black Hawks||CHL |- | {{sortname|Ken|Gustafson}} || C || {{CAN}}||Spokane Jets||WIHL |- | {{sortname|George|Hill|George Hill (ice hockey)}} || C || {{CAN}}||Calgary Stampeders||PrHL |- | {{sortname|Les|Jackson|Les Jackson (ice hockey)}} || LW || {{CAN}}||New Westminster Bruins||WCHL |- | {{sortname|Marshall|Johnston}} || RW || {{CAN}}||California Golden Seals||NHL |- | {{sort|Lindquist, Gunnar|Gunnar Lindquist}}|||||||| |- | {{sortname|Barrie|Meissner}} || LW || {{CAN}}||Omaha Knights||CHL |- | {{sort|Muller, Peter|Peter Muller}}|||||||| |- | {{sortname|Wayne|Morusyk}} || D || {{CAN}}||Oklahoma City Blazers||CHL |- | {{sortname|Tom|Pinder}} || F || {{CAN}}||Saskatoon Blades||WCHL |- | {{sortname|Al|Rycroft}} || C || {{CAN}}||Fort Wayne Komets||IHL |- | {{sortname|Alois|Schloder}} || RW ||{{FRG}} ||EV Landshut||Germany |- | {{sortname|Jim|Shaw|Jim Shaw (ice hockey)}} || G || {{CAN}}||Portland Buckaroos||WHL |- | {{sortname|Ed|Sidebottom}} || D || {{CAN}}||Charlotte Checkers||EHL |- | {{sort|Swetberge, Karl|Karl Swetberge}}|||| |||| |- | {{sortname|Ron|Willy}} || C || {{CAN}}||Saskatoon Quakers||PrHL |- | {{sortname|Richard|Wilson|Rick Wilson (ice hockey)}} || D || {{CAN}}||University of North Dakota||NCAA |- | {{sortname|Jerry|Wright|Jerry Wright (ice hockey)}} || C || {{CAN}}||Roanoke Valley Rebels||EHL |- |}
====Rounds 71+==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan=1 | Player ! colspan=1 | Position ! colspan=1 | Nationality ! colspan=1 | Team ! colspan=1 | League |- | {{sortname|Dave|Amadio}} || D||{{CAN}}||Salt Lake Golden Eagles||WHL |- | {{sortname|Leigh|Bannister}} || C||{{CAN}}||Flint Generals ||IHL |- | {{sortname|Dave|Bonter}} || LW||{{CAN}}||Dayton Gems ||IHL |- | {{sortname|Bill|Hay}} || C||{{CAN}}||Retired|| |- | {{sortname|Rob|Heaney}} || D||{{CAN}}||Dayton Gems ||IHL |- | {{sortname|Herb|Howdle}} || D||{{CAN}}||Oklahoma City Blazers||CHL |- | {{sortname|Aleksander|Maltsev}} || C||{{USSR}}||HC Dynamo Moscow||USSR |- | {{sortname|Darwin|Mott}} || LW||{{CAN}}||Michigan Tech||NCAA |- | {{sortname|Vladimir|Petrov|Vladimir Petrov (ice hockey)}} || C||{{USSR}}||HC CSKA Moscow||USSR |- | {{sortname|Morris|Stefaniw}} || C||{{CAN}}||Providence Reds||AHL |- | {{sortname|Garry|Swain}} || C||{{CAN}}||Fort Wayne Komets ||IHL |- |}
===Chicago Cougars=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Dayton Aeros=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Edmonton Oil Kings=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Los Angeles Sharks=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Miami Screaming Eagles=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Minnesota Fighting Saints=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===New England Whalers=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===New York=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Ontario=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Quebec City=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Winnipeg Jets=== {{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
==Footnotes== {{reflist}}
==References== *{{cite book |last=Surgent |first=Scott Adam |year=1999 |title=The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference to the World Hockey Association, 1972-1979 | edition =4th |pages=447–51 |location=Tempe, Arizona |publisher=Xaler Press |isbn=0964477408}} *{{cite news |title=The draft, round by round |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |page=S6 |date=February 14, 1972 }}
{{WHA}} {{1972–73 WHA season by team}}
Draft