The World Hockey Association existed from 1972-73 until the end of the 1978-79 season. The first mainstream standalone hockey card series for the league was produced in 1974-75 by O-Pee-Chee. There were 66 cards in the 1974-75 OPC series and one card was a checklist. With fourteen teams represented, the average was less than five players featured per team. There were no team cards, league leaders, in-action or playoff cards.
The 66 card 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee WHA complete set is worth up to $200, according to Beckett Hockey Monthly. A common card is worth $3.00. The most valuable card in the series is card number 1 featuring Gordie, Mark and Marty Howe of the Houston Aeros. The number 50 card of Bobby Hull and the number 64 card of Jacques Plante are both valued at $40. Hull played for the Winnipeg Jets and Jacques Plante was a member of the Edmonton Oilers. The lone checklist (card #53) is worth $40, as well. 32 of the cards are considered rookie cards.
Previous to the 1974-75 series, World Hockey Association hockey cards were featured as part of the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee NHL series and in 1973-74, Quaker Oats produced a set. O-Pee-Chee produced WHA hockey cards for three more seasons following 1974-75. No set was issued for 1978-79, the final season of the league before being swallowed up by the National Hockey League.
The 1974-75 WHA season consisted of each of the fourteen teams playing a 78 game schedule. The Houston Aeros finished first overall with 53 wins and 106 points. The Aeros marched to an Avco Cup victory with a sweep of the Quebec Nordiques in the playoff finals. The Bill Hunter Trophy was awarded to Andre Lacroix of the San Diego Mariners as WHA top scorer with 147 points. Bobby Hull of the Winnipeg Jets was honoured with the Gary L. Davidson Award as the league’s MVP.
For 1974-75, the ever evolving WHA consisted of fourteen teams spread amongst three divisions. The Canadian Division was made up of the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Toros, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Blazers. The Eastern Division had only four teams: the New England Whalers, Cleveland Crusaders, Chicago Cougars and Indianapolis Racers. The Western Division consisted of the Houston Aeros, San Diego Mariners, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Phoenix Roadrunners and Michigan Stags.