 Along with coaching , Harry Sinden was given the task of selecting Team Canada , which would be the first true " team " composed of NHL all @-@ stars . When Sinden announced the list of 35 Canadian players on July 12 , one of the conditions of playing was revealed ; that players would have to have a signed NHL contract by August 13 . His list of players included Bobby Hull , who by that time had already signed with the rival World Hockey Association ( WHA ) league . Three other players Sinden named : Gerry Cheevers , Derek Sanderson and J. C. Tremblay had not yet signed with the WHA , but would do so and become ineligible . The condition had been negotiated between the NHL and Hockey Canada , and the NHL would not relent . The condition was widely criticized , including by the NHL 's own Harold Ballard , the Toronto Maple Leafs owner and a harsh opponent of the WHA . Ballard felt that the series was the " unofficial world series of hockey and we want to win " . Phil Reimer , a governor of Hockey Canada , resigned over the matter . Prime Minister Trudeau made a personal appeal , but Doug Fisher , chairman of Hockey Canada refused to re @-@ open the agreement between the NHL and Hockey Canada . 
