Avco World Trophy
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The Avco World Trophy was the championship trophy of the original World Hockey Association (1972-1979). The trophy's naming rights were sold to the former Avco Corporation (a name originally derived from "Aviation Company"), a defence contractor who bought the rights to advertise their consumer finance division. The trophy was mocked in many circles and was never to develop anything approaching the significance and sentiment of its National Hockey League comparison, considering the age and prestige of the Stanley Cup.
The trophy was donated to the new league in 1972 along with approximately $500,000 by the AVCO Financial Services Corporation, and became the only major sports championship trophy to bear the name of a private corporation. Three AVCO trophies exist; besides the one that is on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame, the others are in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in Halifax. The trophy was retired after the WHA ceased operations in 1979. The Bobby Hull–led Jets claimed the trophy on three occasions including the final league championship against Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. Gordie Howe and the Aeros won it twice.
The Avco Trophy in fact may have been most famous, or perhaps infamous, in its absence. When the New England Whalers won the league's inaugural championship in 1973 the trophy had not yet been completed, and the Whalers were forced to "skate" their divisional championship trophy around the ice surface, much to the embarrassment of the WHA office.
The cup was a trophy developed by Frank Bonnerkopf of Boise, Idaho. He won the contract for creating the trophy after he decorated the Avco CEO's home.[citation needed]
[edit] Champions and finalists
| Season | Champions | Finalists | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | New England Whalers | Winnipeg Jets | 4–1 |
| 1974 | Houston Aeros | Chicago Cougars | 4–0 |
| 1975 | Houston Aeros | Quebec Nordiques | 4–0 |
| 1976 | Winnipeg Jets | Houston Aeros | 4–0 |
| 1977 | Quebec Nordiques | Winnipeg Jets | 4–2 |
| 1978 | Winnipeg Jets | New England Whalers | 4–0 |
| 1979 | Winnipeg Jets | Edmonton Oilers | 4–2 |
