WHA Teams: Cincinnati Stingers

By Patrick Mondout

The Cincinnati Stingers were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1975 to 1979.

At a glance... Franchise Facts Established 1973 Disbanded 1979 Located Cincinnati Purchase Price $2M (1975) Owner(s) Brian Heekin and Bill DeWitt Postseason/Titles NONE   Nicknames Cincinnati Stingers Arena Riverfront Coliseum (15,820)

The Stingers were the only major league hockey team to ever call Cincinnati home. The team was announced in 1973, but did not take to the ice until the 1975-1976 season. Owners Brian Heekin and Bill DeWitt purchased the franchise for a reported $2M expansion fee.

While the team was around for the final season, it was not one of the four WHA teams to be merged into the NHL and accepted a buyout instead.

WHA Bibliography
The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association by Ed Willes
The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference to the World Hockey Association by Scott Adam Surgent
WHA Pro Hockey '75 - '76 by Dan Proudfoot
WHA Media Guides (each team published one each year)

These and many other WHA items can be found at eBay - check our links on the far right of this page!