#17 Ralph Klassen · AHL Philadelphia Firebirds
Ralph Klassen of the Philadelphia Firebirds battles Tom Price of the Binghamton Dusters during a March 30th AHL match-up in 1979. Photo: Keith Hitchens
The team tanked after their 1978 playoff season. Again, Ralph Klassen found himself on a team without a winning culture or stable ownership. Before the 1978-79 season started, the Rockies almost moved to Houston, Texas — but were sold to Arthur Imperatore — and his goal was to eventually move the team to New Jersey. After the first 22 games of the new season, the Rockies only won 3 games. Losing was taking it’s toll on everyone. The coach was fired. The Rockies finished the 1978-79 season with only 15 wins — and Klassen finished the season in the minors. He started to wonder if his NHL career was over.
1979 EXPANSION DRAFT
Thankfully, the Colorado Rockies left Ralph Klassen unprotected in the 1979 expansion draft. Within a 24 hour period, Klassen was selected by the Hartford Whalers, traded to the New York Islanders, and then dealt to the St. Louis Blues. For the first time ever, Klassen would be part of a winning NHL team.
#17 Ralph Klassen · AHL Philadelphia Firebirds
Ralph Klassen of the Philadelphia Firebirds battles Tom Price of the Binghamton Dusters during a March 30th AHL match-up in 1979. Photo: Keith Hitchens
The team tanked after their 1978 playoff season. Again, Ralph Klassen found himself on a team without a winning culture or stable ownership. Before the 1978-79 season started, the Rockies almost moved to Houston, Texas — but were sold to Arthur Imperatore — and his goal was to eventually move the team to New Jersey. After the first 22 games of the new season, the Rockies only won 3 games. Losing was taking it’s toll on everyone. The coach was fired. The Rockies finished the 1978-79 season with only 15 wins — and Klassen finished the season in the minors. He started to wonder if his NHL career was over.
1979 EXPANSION DRAFT
Thankfully, the Colorado Rockies left Ralph Klassen unprotected in the 1979 expansion draft. Within a 24 hour period, Klassen was selected by the Hartford Whalers, traded to the New York Islanders, and then dealt to the St. Louis Blues. For the first time ever, Klassen would be part of a winning NHL team.