Background
Ben Hatskin was born in 1917 in Winnipeg to Russian Jewish parents.
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Ben Hatskin
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University of Oklahoma.
Career
He played football for the Sooners at the University of Oklahoma. However, due to World World War II, Ben"s college football career was cut short, and so he returned to Winnipeg and joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. During World World War II Hatskin began raising racehorses and his wealth grew as the Hatskin family invested in everything from lumber companies to juke box distributorships. His bid failed, which fueled his desire to participate in a new, rival league, the World Hockey Association, in 1972.
Hatskin knew that the credibility of the WHA depended on getting established hockey stars to join its teams.
He aggressively sought out the services of Bobby Hull for his team, the, and eventually signed Hull to a contract estimated to be worth at least $1.75 million. Although it was one of the more successful teams in the WHA, winning 3 Avco Cups in 1976, 1978 and 1979.
Hatskin had to ask for a public subsidy to keep the financially troubled Jets alive after 1974. The team was absorbed into the National Hockey League in 1979 with Hatskin selling the Jets to Barry Shenkarow.
The club later relocated to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes following the 1995-1996 season.
The Ben Hatskin Trophy given to the WHA"s best goaltender was named in his honour.
Achievements
Membership
He was also a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
