Kraken Almost-Ancestors
A half-century before the Seattle Kraken brought the National Hockey League here, Seattle was promised an NHL expansion team. Or the transfer of an existing NHL team. Or a World Hockey Association team.
Of course, none of those happened. How it all fell apart is a fascinating mid-1970s tale of broken promises, missed payments, egos, lawsuits and backroom maneuvering. This is the second of five stories retrieved from the dusty archives of the Seattle Times (ST) and Seattle Post-Intelligencer (P-I).
November, 1974: Signs Of Trouble
“Vince Abbey, president of the WHL Seattle Totems and holder of the NHL territorial rights to Seattle, had corralled a group of local investors, but shortly after they were introduced, they all bowed out. With the nation’s economy slowly making it’s way down the drain, it’s no simple matter to come up with the estimated $8-10 million needed to field an NHL expansion team.” (P-I)
“‘I’d rather be playing with a weak expansion team than this way,’ Abbey said as he surveyed another sparse crowd of 1,577 in the Coliseum for the Seattle-Tulsa Central Hockey League game.” (ST)
January, 1975: Migrating Penguins?
“Vince Abbey, owner-designate of Seattle’s 1976 franchise, favors a speed-up of the NHL expansion timetable, moving it up one year. Abbey’s reasoning is that it is too costly to operate in the minor leagues where the income doesn’t come close to matching what he says is a $1 million budget for the Seattle Totems.” (ST)
“Abbey told the Times from Montreal, ‘I met with the expansion committee. I told them I preferred to operate in the NHL in 1975. I’d say right now it’s a strong possibility.'” NHL president Clarence Campbell said, “Seattle and Denver could fulfill their aspirations by the purchase of existing franchises. But that problem has not been resolved.” (ST 1-22-75)
“Irving Clark, Jr., a partner in Abbey’s NHL organization, said, ‘I’m confident we’re going to be in the NHL in 1975. My impression is, yes, that the Pittsburgh franchise is going to move.’ The Penguins owe the NHL about $500,000. Tad Potter, chief owner, said, ‘The Penguins will not leave Pittsburgh. Any rumors that such a move is being contemplated are untrue.'” (ST 1-23-75)
February, 1975: Hockey Money Woes Widespread
“Seven of the 18 NHL clubs are either known to be, or thought to be suffering financially. A Washington Post article estimated the Capitals first-year losses at $1.5 million. Kansas City would be similarly abused at the gate. The Minnesota North Stars lost $200,000 last year. The Atlanta Flames recently laid off 22 front office people. California and Pittsburgh have already appeared in public with tin cups in their hands.
“It was brought about by the World Hockey Association (and by expansion), and the resulting competition for players.” (P-I)
“The Totems of the Central Hockey League have been a losing venture this season, with an estimated deficit of $300,000. If the NHL does not come here next fall, the probability is that Seattle will be without hockey for one year.” (ST 2-18-75)
Shifting From Expansion To Relocation… To Disappearing
“Seattle has been given a one week extension by the National Hockey League to post a $1 million fee as part of the requirement for getting an NHL franchise. The NHL, which is losing money with the California Golden Seals, has expressed a willingness to shift the franchise. The Pittsburgh Penguins also are beset by financial ills and are considered candidates for a shift, probably to Seattle.” (ST 2-19-75)
“Seattle Totem president Vince Abbey failed to keep an appointment in New York yesterday with Bill Jennings, head of the National Hockey League expansion committee. There was no explanation for the standup job, but it certainly wasn’t a hopeful sign for Seattle’s major league hockey future. ‘Nobody knows where Vince is,’ Seattle attorney and Totem vice president Irving Clark Jr. said last night from New York City.” (PI 2-19-75)
“Totem president Vince Abbey is alive and well. Abbey quietly returned home yesterday. ‘I can’t say what was involved in New York. I know what I’m doing and that’s what’s important. There are some problems, but if the NHL doesn’t want to reveal them, then I’m not going to. It isn’t a question of money.’ It’s likely they have to do with the two existing teams the NHL has for sale.” (PI 2-21-75)
“Seattle has been guaranteed a big-league berth for the 1975-76 season if Abbey presents a $1 million letter of credit to the NHL by next Wednesday. Abbey says he has the financing. The city’s option is between the existing Pittsburgh Penguins and an expansion franchise.”
“With completion of the changeover to new, narrower-type seats, the Coliseum will have 14,500 hockey seats. 500 balcony-box seats are to be installed for sale to companies.” (ST 2-21-75)
Tomorrow: Dueling Pronouncements
Earlier Seattle:
— Big Time Kraken – NHL Talk With TV’s John Forslund
