ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti tˈuː, sˈɑːnmɚ mˈuːvd ˌʌp tə ðə pɹəfˈɛʃənəl lˈɛvəl wɛn hiː dʒˈɔɪnd ðə flˈɛdʒlɪŋ mˌɪnɪsˈoʊɾə fˈaɪɾɪŋ sˈeɪnts ʌvðə wˈɜːld hˈɑːki ɐsˌoʊsɪˈeɪʃən dˌʌbəljˌuːˌeɪtʃˈeɪ æz kˈoʊtʃ ænd dʒˈɛnɚɹəl mˈænɪdʒɚ.
In 1972, Sonmor moved up to the professional level when he joined the fledgling Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association (WHA) as coach and general manager.