In October 1975, the WHA was entering year four of its seven-year run, and they were starting to look like a real major league after a few missteps in their early years. The league was developing its own stars and generating some real enthusiasm in lots of cities like Quebec, Houston, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. One of the reasons I think the WHA was just hitting its stride around this time is they were sending their fans a message through its 1975-76 series of O-Pee-Chee cards, and that message was, “CHECK OUT OUR AWESOME FREAKIN’ GOALIE EQUIPMENT! LET’S SEE THE NHL HANDLE THIS!”

Here’s Quebec Nordiques star Richard Brodeur inviting you to admire the delicate stitch work in his lovely brown leather trapper.

And here’s former Golden Seal Gary Kurt, playing at the time for the Phoenix Roadrunners, staring down his catching hand.

Here’s Hockey Hall of Famer Gerry Cheevers letting you know how he’ll give you the business with his heavy piece of lumber. At least, I think that’s what he’s trying to do by striking that pose. He might also be about nine feet tall since I think that’s a crossbar running behind his goal pads. No wonder he was the WHA’s best ever goaltender.

Then there’s Ron Grahame, posing in front of TWO NETS! You know, everyone always says the WHA was a little different, with their high-octane offensive style, their (briefly) blue pucks, overtime games, international regular-season games, etc., but TWO NETS? Wow… revolutionary!