1972–73 Philadelphia Blazers season

The 1972–73 Philadelphia Blazers season was the 1st season of the Blazers' franchise in the World Hockey Association. The Blazers finished 3rd in the Eastern Division and lost in the Quarter-finals to the Cleveland Crusaders 4 games to 0.

Off-season
The Blazers jersey colours for their only WHA season were red, white and orange with a primarily yellow home jersey and a primarily red away jersey. Outlined shoulders yolks which contained the sleeve numbers and three stripes on the arms and body completed the design. The logo was the word "BLAZERS" with the "L" enlarged to resemble a hockey stick and a puck below the "R". The jerseys had no player names on the back to begin the season but were later added with no nameplate.

Pre-season
The Blazers held their training camp in Roanoke, Virginia.

Regular Season
High profile signings for the Blazers included John McKenzie, Bernie Parent and Derek Sanderson. Sanderson signed a 10 year deal worth $2.6 million making him the richest athlete in the world at the time. However, Andre Lacroix was the best signing long-term, would lead the team in scoring and finish as the WHA's all-time leader in games, assists and points.

Sanderson scored the first goal in Blazer's history during the 4-3 loss to the New England Whalers on October 12, 1972. During the Blazer's first home game, the fans were given a free orange puck as souvenir. Before the game started, the Zamboni crash through the ice and became stuck, forcing the game to be cancelled. Sanderson was called upon to announce the bad news to the crowd and was promptly pelted with the pucks. During his eighth game, Sanderson stepped on a price of debris on the ice and suffered a slipped disc in his spine. His contract was bought out for $1 million after scoring 3 goals and 3 assists.

John McKenzie, who started the year as the team's player-coach, broke his arm during pre-season and missed the first 18 games of the regular season. After 17 games, with a record of 3-14, he stepped down as coach and Phil Watson was hired. Bernie Parent broke his ankle in November 1972 and missed a month.

This would also be the only season of the Blazers in Philadelphia, as the team relocated to Vancouver for the following 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

 * Andre Lacroix, Center, WHA First Team All-Star
 * Danny Lawson, Right Wing, WHA First Team All-Star
 * Bernie Parent, Goalie, WHA Second Team All-Star

Transactions

 * Trade Bob Brown to the New England Whalers for Brit Selby on November 1, 1972.

Trivia

 * Blazers who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
 * Don Herriman during the 6-3 win over the New England Whalers on December 17, 1972.