A critical blow to the franchise came in with the start of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Long dissatisfied with how little he was paid as the NHL's marquee star, Hull jumped to the upstart Winnipeg Jets for a million-dollar contract. Former Philadelphia Flyers star Andre Lacroix joined him, having received very little ice time during his single season with Chicago, and the pair became two of the WHA's great stars. However, the Black Hawks repeated their appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals that year, again losing to Montreal. Stapleton also left for the WHA after that year, depleting the team further.
a cRiTiCAl blow To tHe FraNChisE cAme In wItH thE STaRt Of the WoRLD hoCKey AssoCIAtION (wHa). lONg DISsatIsfIEd with hoW little he waS pAid aS thE NhL's marQuee sTaR, Hull JuMpED To thE upSTARt winnipEg jEts fOR A milLion-doLLaR ConTract. fOrmer philadelphia flyeRs sTaR AndRe lacrOIx joinED Him, havIng rEceivEd vEry little ICe TiMe duRiNg his single SEAsOn with chICAGo, aNd thE paIR BEcAmE Two of the wha's greAt stars. howEVer, thE Black HAWkS rePeaTed ThEir appEaRAnCe in THE staNLey cup finals thAt Year, agaIn loSing To MontreaL. stapleton alSO lEFt FoR the Wha AfTer that yEaR, depLETiNg The TeAM fUrther.