1972–73 Cleveland Crusaders season



The 1972–73 Cleveland Crusaders season was the 1st season of operation of the Cleveland Crusaders in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Crusaders finished 3rd in the Eastern Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the New England Whalers 4 games to 1.

Off-season
The Crusaders biggest signing was goalie Gerry Cheevers, who signed a five year deal for $200,000 per season while the Boston Bruins offered $80,000. Cheevers was a First Team All-Star and won the Ben Hatskin Trophy as the best goaltender in the 1972-73 WHA season while earning a Second All-Star Team berth in 1973-74.

The Crusaders played at the Cleveland Arena which had become decrepit and had chicken wire instead of Plexiglas on top of the boards. The area was notorious for the high level of crime. Several Crusaders players experienced theft of their cars and mugging outside the arena.

The Crusaders inaugural jersey colours were purple, white and black with a primarily white home jersey and a primarily purple away jersey. They'd stay with these colours throughout the club's four year existence. The jersey numbers and names were not outlined. Shoulders yolks and three stripes on the arms and body completed the design. The logo featured a white knight on a horse with a black shield against a purple background. These jerseys would remain unchanged until the 1975-76 season.

Player Stats
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts

Awards and Records

 * Paul Shmyr, Defense, WHA First Team All-Star
 * Gerry Cheevers, Goalie, WHA First Team All-Star
 * Gary Jarrett, Left Wing, WHA Second Team All-Star