As the World Hockey Association began play in 1972, the upstart league had hopes that their Chicago franchise named the Cougars would be a cornerstone franchise in the one of the largest media markets. However, before they played their first game, the Cougars had major disadvantages competing against the NHL's Black Hawks.

While hoped one day to build an arena in the nearby Village of Rosemont their first seasons would be spent at the decaying International Amphitheatre. Coached by Marcel Pronovost, the Cougars started the season with a seven game road trip, losing to the Houston Aeros 3-2 in their first game on October 12th.

Coming home, with a 1-5-1 record, the Cougars would beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 in their first home game, marking the return to Chicago for Black Hawks legend Bobby Hull who signed to play with the Jets in a victory for the new league. Wins would be rare for the Cougars early in the season, as they would lose their next seven games.

The Cougars would never find their footing, as they finished in last place in the Western Division with a record of 26-50-2, scoring a league worst 245 goals, despite a strong season from Bob Sicinski who finished fifth in the league with 63 assists.