Cleveland Crusaders
WHA team from Cleveland, 1972–1976, hosted 1976 All-Star Game.
The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976. Their home ice was the Cleveland Arena from 1972 to 1974, and the Richfield Coliseum from 1974 to 1976. The team is notable for being owned by Nick Mileti, who also founded the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and owned Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians, and for hosting the 1976 WHA All-Star Game.
Quick Facts
- Text Color
- #000000
- Team
- Cleveland Crusaders
- City
- Cleveland, Ohio
- League
- World Hockey Association
- Operated
- 1972–1976
- Arena
- Cleveland Arena (1972–74) / Richfield Coliseum (1974–76).
- Media
- WUAB / WHK
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Cleveland Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, who had been denied an NHL franchise. Mileti owned the nine-time AHL champion Cleveland Barons and moved them to Jacksonville, Florida to make room for the Crusaders. On July 27, 1972, the Crusaders made their first big signing: star Boston Bruins goalie Gerry Cheevers, who stated he signed for 'the security of my family'. The first coach was Bill Needham, a mainstay of the Barons, who led the team to winning records in the first two seasons but no advancement past the second playoff round. In the 1974–75 season, John Hanna took over as coach, replaced mid-season by Jack Vivian; Cleveland finished second in the east division despite a losing record but fell in the first playoff round. Johnny Wilson led the team for its final season, also losing in the first round.
Reader's Guide
The Crusaders' significance lies in their role as a WHA franchise that competed directly with the NHL. Owner Nick Mileti sold the team to Jay White in 1975, but White sold it back to Mileti in 1976. That year, the Crusaders hosted the 1976 WHA All-Star Game at the Richfield Coliseum on January 13, 1976. However, the NHL's California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland and became the Cleveland Barons; Mileti knew he could not compete with an NHL team and decided to move the Crusaders. A deal with Atlanta businessman Bill Putnam to purchase the team and move it to Hollywood, Florida as the Florida Breakers fell through. The Crusaders then relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota, becoming the second incarnation of the Minnesota Fighting Saints. Seven Crusaders were named to a WHA All-Star Team, with Paul Shmyr being named First-Team three times and Cheevers once First-Team and twice Second Team. The last active Crusaders player in major professional hockey was Paul Baxter, who last played the 1986-87 NHL season.
Did You Know?
- Gerry Cheevers won the inaugural Ben Hatskin Trophy for goaltending in 1973.
- Paul Shmyr was named to the WHA First All-Star Team three times (1972–73, 1973–74, 1975–76).
More in Defunct Ice Hockey Teams 1-24
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