Birmingham Bulls
| Birmingham Bulls | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Birmingham, Alabama |
| League |
World Hockey Association (1976–1979) Central Hockey League (1979–1981) |
| Operated | 1976–1981 |
| Home arena | Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center |
| Colors | Blue, Red, and White |
| Franchise history | |
| 1972–1973 | Ottawa Nationals |
| 1973 playoffs | Ontario Nationals |
| 1973–1976 | Toronto Toros |
| 1976–1981 | Birmingham Bulls |
The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.
Prior to being in Birmingham, the team was known as the Ottawa Nationals and the Toronto Toros. In 1992, another Birmingham hockey franchise was founded that used the Bulls name, the Birmingham Bulls of the East Coast Hockey League.
The Toros had been modestly successful on the ice since moving to Toronto, and had drawn fairly well by WHA standards. However, onerous lease terms at Maple Leaf Gardens led owner John Bassett to move to Birmingham.
John Brophy, who would later go on to coach the Leafs, joined head coach Glen Sonmor as an assistant after the move to Birmingham. Brophy became head coach in the 1978–79 when Sonmor joined the Minnesota North Stars. His team finished last in the league, but was in the middle of a youth movement.
Wayne Gretzky was heavily recruited by Birmingham Bulls owner John Bassett to be part of the youth movement. Bassett wanted to confront the NHL by signing as many young and promising superstars as possible and saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect.
Although Bassett failed to sign Gretzky, the Bulls included several future NHL stars at the beginning of their professional careers (such as Rick Vaive, Michel Goulet, Rob Ramage, Pat Riggin, Craig Hartsburg, Gaston Gingras and Rod Langway), as well as a 36-year-old Paul Henderson. Even though his team was the only one in the league not to make the playoffs, Brophy was awarded the Robert Schmertz Memorial Trophy as the WHA's coach of the year.
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