In a press release issued on Friday, the fledgling league said it hopes to launch a league with no fewer than six franchises throughout North America.
The new-look WHA, an inspiration of the 1970s league that competed with the NHL for players, hoped to begin play in Dec. 2004, but was plagued by arena and ownership trouble.
William Smith, who assumed ownership of the WHA from Dr. Nick Vaccaro last October, said he's fielded several calls from players interested in the league.
"I have had a lot of calls from players who want to jump on board, and that's exciting for us to hear," he said in the release.
The original WHA launched in 1972 on the back of a contentious labour issue, and it appears that this new league wants to do the same.
The NHL lockout has forced a number of players to fly overseas to play in Europe, but an established league could lure some of them back to North America.
"The door is open if the Association or any of its players want to walk through it," Smith said. "It's a players' game and the WHA started as a players' league. If enough of the pros come forward and want to commit to the WHA, we can look at all available options."
He added the WHA's priority isn't a stopgap measure until the NHL returns, but rather to develop a long-term league that delivers an entertaining product on the ice.
