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After the NHL's California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland to become the Cleveland Barons , the WHA moved the Cleveland Crusaders to Saint Paul for the 1976-77 WHA season. Like their predecessors, this second version of the Saints (called the "New Fighting Saints") had a winning record through their first 42 games (19-18-5), but dismal crowds forced the club to fold on January 20, 1977. Their logo and uniforms were identical to the old ones (see below), but with red replacing blue in the color scheme. Among the Saints' notable players in their brief history were Wayne Connelly (the team's career scoring leader), Mike Walton , Mike Antonovich (the team's career games leader), Ted Hampson , Rob Walton , Gord Gallant (resident tough guy) and Mike "Lefty" Curran . Among the players the Saints selected in the inaugural WHA draft in 1972 was a goalie who had played for Team USA at the 1956 Winter Olympics , Wendell Anderson . Anderson said he was flattered, but he chose not to join the Saints and instead stuck to his day job -- as Governor Of Minnesota . Glen Sonmor was the Saints general manager throughout their history. Sonmor coached the Saints for the first part of their inaugural season. When Sonmor gave up his coaching duties, assistant coach Harry Neale took over as head coach. Sonmor coached the Saints again during their final season, 1976-77. Neale had become head coach of the New England Whalers after the original Saints folded in 1976. |
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