Vancouver Blazers
1973-75
After moving the team to the west coast owner Jim Pattison knew he would need a ticket getter like Bobby Hull to attract fans to watch the Blazers over the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. Pattison's target was Boston Bruin Phil Esposito. The team was close several times with Esposito but lost out to the Bruins at the end of the 1974-75 season. The Blazers offered Phil a 5 year deal worth 2.5 million dollars, but instead signed with the Bruins for 1 million dollars also for 5 years. Phil's response to all of this was that the offer by the Blazers was two and a half times bigger, but how much money can you spend.
The Blazers kept the team name which was used in Philadelphia, but unfourtunately lost superstar Andre Lacroix to the New York Golden Blades. Lacroix's linemate Danny Lawson
kept with the team while Bryan Campbell and Claude St.Sauveeur helped out offensively.
Ex-Bruin John McKenzie signed with the team adding very much needed leadership. The Blazers played terrible the first season, but were only 2 games under .500 during the
1974-75 campaign. Despite the losing records the team faired well attendance wise, but were driven out by an improving Canuck squad. The team knew change was needed and moved to Calgary in may of 1975
being renamed the Calgary Cowboys.
Vancouver Blazers Year-by-Year Year W L T pts. Finish Playoffs 1973-74 27 50 1 55 5th Western None 1974-75 37 39 2 76 4th Canadian None
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