1974-75 Regular Season

Detroit Defenseman Cliff Lyle

There was no shortage of compelling narratives entering the 1973-74 season. In the league's newest cities, Seattle and Dallas, names were finally unveiled for the new franchises. October 5, 1973, Alan Garcia presented the Seattle Grey Wolves and the Dallas Metros. Seattle's name came from the most populous breed of wolf in the area. "The Grey Wolf represents strength, toughness, and teamwork." said Seattle owner John Dyson. "Wolves hunt in packs, just like our club will be hunting for goals in packs." As for Dallas, Owner Earl Westwood was determined to get away from the "wild west" stereotype and instead focus on Dallas' status as one of America's fastest-growing and most modern cities. "Metros was chosen to represent the people of Dallas" said Westwood. Logos and uniforms for both teams were not revealed, Garcia stated that they would be ready in time for the next season. On the ice, Detroit prepared for their first season without longtime captain Andy Reid. The Mustangs loaded up during the off-season, acquiring veteran Bruce Walker from California and re-acquiring defenseman Doug West from Boston. It was fifth-year defenseman Cliff Lyle, however, who would enjoy a breakout season, racking up 71 points, the most for a defenseman that year as Detroit finished first overall in the league, three points ahead of rival Minnesota. The Lumberjacks enjoyed another very successful season as Bobby Sorel took home the Whyte trophy for the second year in a row in dominant fashion while the one-two punch of Guy Dupont and James Cummings became one of the most feared scoring tandems in the league. In Denver, Brian Hunt finally broke out with 121 points while rookie Brad Hewson enjoyed a spectacular season, scoring 46 goals as the Bulls finally reached the playoffs for the first time since 1965, when the team was still playing in Buffalo.

In the Pacific Division, LA found themselves back on top with 92 points as Stuart Holly scored a record 77 goals. Holly cemented himself as the top player in the game in 1973-74 as he supplemented his goal totals with 69 assists. In the Eastern Conference, Ottawa began to emerge as a power in the Northeast Division, battling with Montreal for first place all season. Eventually, Montreal would get the better of the Beavers in the end, however, taking the division during the final week of the season. In the Atlantic Division, a new team would rise to power. Powered by Gil Parsons, Bobby Ford, and brilliant goaltending from veteran netminder Micheal McArdle, who rediscovered his game in '73-'74, the Philadelphia Redshirts won their division for the first time since 1960. One of the more interesting story-lines in 1973-74 was actually the race for last place. With junior phenom David Appleby available in the upcoming draft, perennial basement-dwellers St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Hamilton found themselves in a dogfight for the first overall pick. All three teams were accused at various points of tanking the season to get the first pick. Meanwhile, Appleby enjoyed another spectacular season in junior, scoring 69 goals. In the end, the St. Louis Spirits finished in last place overall, earning the first overall pick. For Hamilton, it was an unfortunate end for a once proud franchise. A day after the regular season ended, Kings owner John McLennan made a stunning announcement, He had sold the club to John Byford, a millionaire from Washington DC who had led the Washington expansion bid the previous two years. When Byford said he planned to move the team to DC immediately. Alan Garcia admitted he had approved both the deal and the move, albeit reluctantly. Garcia had spent most of the year trying to find an owner who would keep the team in Hamilton. In the end, the best option for the failing franchise was Washington, where Byford had secured plans to build a new 15,000 seat arena in downtown Washington. On April 6, 1974, Byford and Garcia called a press conference where it was officially announced that the Hamilton Kings would relocate to Washington DC in time for the 1974-75 season.