Cheers to Whitey Stapleton

I've had the discussion with fellow WHA & Indy Racers fans for years: who was the franchise's most valuable player from 1974-1979? Many immediately claim Wayne Gretzky, who played his first major league games in Indy. Or there's Mark Messier, who also debuted with the Racers. How about Dave Keon? Surely a legend like that is the franchise MVP.

Yes, they are all fine candidates, but defenseman Pat "Whitey" Stapleton outshines them all combined. Whitey played two full seasons with Indy, their finest years, and even returned to coach the Racers in their 1978-79 swan song. On the ice he brought the stability, committment and a winning confident attitude the new team never had before. Off the ice he insipred fans wit his dignity and kind spirit, and made the future in Indy seem bright, indeed.

I was one of those young fans in Indy enraptured with "The General," and I didn't know yet that Whitey had already been a hero for Team Canada in the 1972 USSR series. I didn't know he has started his major league career among the "Original Six" as a very young man, then played in the Stanley Cup finals along side Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull in Chicago. I knew him first as an Indianapolis Racer, a WHA All-Star who contorlled the blueline and the pace of the game unlike any other defenseman I've seen since.

Now, all these years later, I've gotten to know Whitey as a person. He is the most positive, encouraging peerson I have ever come across in hockey. He is a gentleman, a loving person, a warm and intelligent man of the higest caliber. To say I hold Pat Stapleton in high regard doesn't do him justice -- he deserves far greater praise.

But back to the WHA and the 1970s and his play with the Racers. Anyone who was there will agree -- based on what he helped the city achieve, through the caliber of his play, there was never a better Indianapolis Racer than #12, Pat Stapleton. He is my franchise MVP.

Pat Stapleton turned 70 years of age this past Sunday. Cheers to you, Whitey. We are blessed to know you.

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PS: Remember that the July 17 MeiGray WHA jersey Expo is July 17 in New Jersey...and a new event will be announced soon!