July 6, 2004
Franchise draft exemptions announced
Franchise owners in the World Hockey Association today announced their Draft Exemptions for the 2004-05 season.
Each franchise was allowed one selection prior to the NHL/AHL Free Agent Draft on July 17, 2004.
The WHA draft exemptions are:
Dallas – Brett Hull (unrestricted Free Agent)
Detroit – Chris Chelios (unrestricted Free Agent)
Florida – Martin St. Louis (restricted Free Agent)
Halifax – Glen Murray (unrestricted Free Agent)
Hamilton – Paul Kariya (unrestricted Free Agent)
Québec – Mike Ribeiro (restricted Free Agent)
Toronto – Chris Phillips (restricted Free Agent)
Each WHA team will draft 30 NHL/AHL Free Agents on July 17th, 2004 and 30 Entry Level Players on July 18th, 2004.
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July 14, 2004
Free agent draft order announced
The World Hockey Association today announced the draft order for the first day of its two day draft weekend.
Teams will select NHL and AHL Free Agents on Saturday, July 17 at the new Fallsview Casino Niagara.
The following is the order of the draft.
-
Quebec
-
Halifax
-
Detroit
-
Hamilton
-
Toronto
-
Dallas
Teams will draft 30 players on Saturday. Each franchise has already identified a player with exempt status in the draft.
On Sunday, July 18, teams will draft 30 Entry Level Players. Players undrafted in the past 3 years or drafted but unsigned will be eligible. Sixteen year old players who will be 17 prior to the start of the WHA season will also be eligible.
The draft order for the Entry Level Draft will be announced on Saturday, July 17.
The draft begins at 10 a.m. each day and is open to the public.
The WHA Founders also announced they have ceased negotiations to purchase or establish a franchise in Orlando, Florida.
http://www.worldhockeyassociation.net/index.htm
