The "Slim and None" podcast is a spinoff of Baldwin's 2014 book co-authored by Canadian sports journalist Steve Milton.
Episode 11: The WHA Rocks the Hockey World .... And Signs Bobby Hull
The 12 teams of the WHA contributed to the Winnipeg Jets signing Bobby Hull, considered by many to be the most charismatic player in pro hockey. It ended up being one of the biggest signings in sports history, giving the league legitimacy.
Listen: [Slim and None podcast]
Episode 10: The Whalers Assemble A Roster
It's time for the teams of the WHA to build their rosters. While a lot of franchises looked to make a big splash, the Whalers took a different approach, a mixture of young NHL talent and top college players.
Episode Nine: The WHA Begins to Solidify
It's getting close to dropping the puck for the WHA, but there was a series of franchise moves and ownership changes. Joining Howard is the founder and first president of the league, Gary Davidson.
Episode Eight: The 1st WHA Draft
The WHA had franchises but needed to add players. This is the story of the first WHA draft and the building of the New England Whalers. Assistant coach and assistant general manager Rob Ryan joins in the conversation.
Listen: [Slim and None podcast]
Episode Seven: The WHA Starts to Take Shape
This episode features a discussion of the key February meeting when the $25,000 obligation is raised to $250,000, then eliminated. There is also a discussion of some of the more colorful owners and hockey personalities at that point in time and the status of the league itself.
Episode Six: Finding A Rink .... The Hard Way
The Whalers had gone from having people wonder whether they could pull it off to where are they going to play. Howard Baldwin explored a number of options including the Providence Civic Center, which was filled with chaos. Also, Howard says goodbye to his longtime friend and associate, Bob Caporale.
Episode Five: Game On
It's November 1971, and Howard and the team have gotten the green light on their franchise. Now back home in Massachusetts, reality sets in. There are 10 months until the puck drops on opening night, and no shortage of tasks to complete: secure financial backing, find a place to play, build a front office and fill out a roster. Thankfully, there's still some luck left in the tank.
Episode Four: Winging It
With only weeks until the next league meetings scheduled for Miami and so much to accomplish, the odds are stacked against the boys. Financing, a coach and somewhere to play have yet to be resolved and the clock is ticking.
Episode Three: Fate Steps In
A newspaper article leads Howard into taking a leap of faith. He links up with an old friend, John Coburn. Before they know it, they are chasing a dream.
Episode Two: End of Apprenticeship
Sometimes, it's best not to go where the path leads. Instead, go where there is no path and blaze a trail.
Episode One: From the ground up
Before he made it to Hollywood, before his name was etched on Lord Stanley's Cup, before his New England Whalers won the Avco World Trophy in the inaugural season of the World Hockey Association, Howard Baldwin was just a kid on a frozen lake with lofty ambitions and huge skates to fill. This is the story of where that came from, beginning with the Baldwin brothers' upbringing in Bedford, New York, various summer jobs, a stint with the Marines, a brief college hockey career, and an even shorter amateur baseball career.
