The World Hockey Association Hall of Fame: A Photographic History of the Rebel League, 1972-1979

Attention all you WHA fans. Timothy Gassen, the league's leading historian, is back with a new book. The World Hockey Association Hall of Fame: A Photographic History of the Rebel League, 1972-1979 is available now.

The large-format 128-page hardcover book features scores of newly discovered and unpublished color photos, rare league promotional materials and official vintage WHA team portraits. The book hit book store shelves in October 2012, in time for the WHA Hall of Fame's 40th anniversary celebrations. 

The book is authored by longtime hockey journalist and filmmaker Timothy Gassen, also president of the WHA Hall of Fame. It follows Gassen's 2007 book on Wayne Gretzky's start in the WHA, and his recent 6-DVD, 12-hour video documentary series on the WHA. A revised edition of his Gassen's first WHA book and a new WHA HOF DVD set is also slated for release soon. 

"The WHA Hall of Fame has discovered and acquired so many exciting images during its years of research," says Gassen, "and the 40th anniversary of the league is the perfect time to share them with hockey fans."

Dazzling images of WHA icons Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull are featured in the book, along with dozens of the other stars that made the WHA a revolutionary major hockey league. Official team portraits, game jerseys, pucks, memorabilia, publications, and vital league statistics make the new photo book the celebration that WHA fans have been waiting for.

The book's Foreword is penned by Howard Baldwin, former president of the WHA and owner of the New England Whalers.

You can buy the book at Amazon.com or at the author's website, http://www.whahof.com/WHAbook.html

WHA Racers DVD

I was contacted by Timothy Gassen recently. You remember him. He wrote Red, White & Blues: A Personal History of the Indianapolis Racers 1974-1979 back in 2007. Yes, the same Indianapolis Racers that Wayne Gretzky began his professional career with.

Gassen's back in 2009, this time with the limited edition 2 DVD set Gretzky, Indy and the WHA. The world premiere public screening is going to be at the Hockey Hall of Fame on May 16th, 2009.

The DVD is already available for sale. Gassen sent me a copy to review, and I will soon. I have taken a sneak peek and I have to say it is of the highest professional quality.

Disc one has a 50 minute documentary on the history of the Racers, including the involvement of the very young Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Highlights, fight videos, interviews and audio files of WHA radio broadcasts. You can also use the disc to print off Gassen's revised 155 page book.

Disc two features two games. The first is from December 1978. It is the Racers' final franchise victory, and it comes against the Edmonton Oilers. It is the only game Wayne Gretzky competed in against the Racers. The second video is the third period of a Racers-Cincinnati Stingers game from April 4th, 1978.

You preview the DVD and purchase the DVD and/or book at WHARacers.com