The Michigan Stags joined the WHA in 1974 when two Detroiters bought the Los Angeles Sharks from Dennis Murphy, one of the founders of the WHA. They renamed the club and moved it to Detroit, where the Stags played their home games out of Cobo Arena.

However, the Stags could never quite get their act together. Comprised mostly of journeyman players, the franchise suffered major attendance problems, averaging only 3,000 spectators - not nearly enough to break even. Scheduling conflicts held up Gordie Howe’s start with the team until February of 1975, but by then it was too late.